WASHINGTON (AP) -The Washington Nationals placed right-hander Shawn Hill on the 15-day disabled list Monday with an injured left shoulder, and closer Chad Cordero took his roster spot.
Cordero was reinstated from the bereavement list before Monday’s game against the Atlanta Braves after spending the previous five days with his ailing grandmother, who died Thursday.
Hill, who was removed from Friday’s game with Florida after throwing five no-hit innings, had two MRI exams on Monday, one on his left shoulder and the other on his right elbow. The test on his throwing elbow revealed no ligament damage, but the shoulder exam revealed a partial dislocation, a minor tear in his labrum and some torn cartilage. He will rest for the next 10 to 14 days before possibly starting a throwing program.
Hill injured his shoulder while running the bases last month. His right elbow became sore because he was overcompensating for his injured shoulder.
With a 3-3 record and 2.70 ERA, Hill has been one of Washington’s most effective starters this season.
“It wasn’t like someone ran into me,” Hill said. “I basically did it to myself – stupid play. So it’s definitely frustrating, especially because things were going pretty well. You’d like to just keep on going. Now you’ve got to shut it down and gear it back up, and you never know how things go.”
Cordero has blown four saves in eight chances this season and a 4.70 ERA. He said he was distracted by his grandmother’s health problems early in the season.
“I was thinking about it a lot, probably a little too much,” Cordero said. “I wasn’t able to stay focused. But now that it’s over with, I’ll be fine.”
Manager Manny Acta said he will ease Cordero back into the closer’s role. For the next few games, he plans to use Cordero in the middle innings.
“I could tell just by talking to him he’s a totally different guy,” Acta said. “He’s totally refreshed, and his face reflects no worries or anything.”
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