CHICAGO -- Tim Wakefield was examined by Thomas Gill, the Red Sox medical director yesterday. Gill found no structural issues with the back of Wakefield’s shoulder — merely some inflammation that has been causing some stiffness for the veteran pitcher.

Wakefield pitched brilliantly in Kansas City last Wednesday, but began to stiffen up toward the end of the outing, then couldn’t get loose in a side session Saturday, prompting the Sox to send him home for the examination.

He’ll be placed on the disabled list today, retroactive to last Thursday; the Sox will purchase the contract of Pawtucket knuckleballer Charlie Zink. Zink will make his major league debut tonight against Texas.

Wakefield was given a cortisone shot in his shoulder and has been shut down completely for the next three days. He’ll be examined again at the end of the week, at which point he might be cleared to resume some light throwing.

This is a similar injury to what Wakefield experienced last year at the end of August and then again in October, the latter of which knocked him off the World Series roster.

“We hope we got ahead of it this time,” said Sox manager Terry Francona.