Chicago White Sox outfielder Charlie Tilson, who was the front-runner to be Chicago's starting center fielder, will begin the season on the disabled list because of a foot injury, the team announced Monday.

Tilson has not played for the White Sox during spring training after suffering a stress reaction in his right foot last month. An MRI taken Monday revealed inflammation in the foot, prompting the White Sox to shut down Tilson for at least three weeks.

White Sox manager Rick Renteria told reporters that Tilson aggravated the injury Sunday and that the team "erred on the side of caution" as there was a "fair amount of inflammation."

Tilson, 24, appeared in one game last season for the White Sox before suffering a season-ending hamstring injury in August. Chicago acquired the former second-round draft pick in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals last July 31.

Renteria said Peter Bourjos, Jacob May and Adam Engel all are options to start in center field while Tilson is sidelined.