"The Marlins placed ace right-hander Josh Johnson on the 15-day disabled list Saturday due to inflammation in his right shoulder.

Johnson said he has been feeling discomfort in the shoulder since the beginning of the season, but felt it worsening prior to his last start, Monday in New York. He didn't reveal the extent of the soreness until after Thursday's bullpen session when he decided it was necessary to rest. An MRI Friday revealed the inflammation, he said.

"Try to take care of it now instead of trying to throw through it and having to take care of it later," Johnson said. "I've been feeling it since the beginning of the season. Just now it's not getting loose, it's harder and harder to get loose. That's why we want to get it now and get it out of there."

Johnson, the National League co-leader in ERA, was due to start Sunday against Tampa Bay. Right-hander Jay Buente was called up from Triple-A New Orleans to replace him.

Marlins manager Edwin Rodriguez said the injury is considered minor and should be cured with rest. Johnson is due to come off the DL on June 1 and could start that day in Arizona.

Having to get by without his ace for two weeks is difficult but not Armageddon.

"No, that's at 6 o'clock," Rodriguez joked in a reference to the end-of-the-world predictions for that time Saturday. "I don't think it's too serious. We're tryinhg to be very careful here."

Johnson is 3-1 with a 1.64 ERA in nine starts this season. His ability is unquestioned, but durability has been an issue with Johnson, who had reconstructive elbow surgery in July 2008. Back pain dogged him last season and ended his season in mid September.

The latest problem is in the back of his pitching shoulder, he said."