BALTIMORE – As the news spread through the Baltimore Orioles’ clubhouse, smiles turned to frowns and virtually all the laughter ceased.

Mike Bordick, the best fielding shortstop in baseball, will be sidelined for at least a month with a hairline fracture of his right kneecap.

Bordick, a former UMaine star from Winterport, was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday. The knee will be immobilized for three weeks, which means the 36-year-old infielder won’t be able to resume baseball activities until the second week in August.

The fracture was revealed in an MRI, and the players didn’t learn of the result until shortly after the Orioles’ 6-1 victory over Seattle.

“Nobody can fill his shoes, obviously,” said winning pitcher Scott Erickson.

The injury occurred Monday night when Bordick collided with Seattle shortstop Carlos Guillen while attempting to steal second. Bordick and the Orioles initially thought the diagnosis would be no worse than a bruise.

“I’m very disappointed and in shock,” Bordick said. “I can’t believe it. It’s not what I expected, for sure.”

Bordick leads all major league shortstops with a .998 fielding percentage. He has made only one error this year and has played in 73 straight games without an error.

His 383 consecutive errorless chances ranks third in baseball history among shortstops, behind Ripken (428) and Cleveland’s Omar Vizquel (425).

He’s also on course to break Cal Ripken’s single-season mark for best fielding percentage (.996) by a shortstop and fewest errors (3). Bordick’s only error this season was April 10.

The Orioles were hanging near the .500 mark last season until Bordick separated his shoulder on June 13 and was lost for the year. Baltimore went 34-64 the rest of the way.

The Orioles are deeper this year, but the loss is still a significant one.

“Bordy solidified the infield. He was captain of the infield and captain of the whole defense,” second baseman Jerry Hairston said. “You really hate to see a guy like that go down.

Melvin Mora played shortstop Tuesday and committed a throwing error.