ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -The Texas Rangers placed right-hander Kevin Millwood on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 29 on Saturday, prior to the game against the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Rangers’ top starter, Millwood – 2-3 with a 5.88 ERA in six starts – strained his left hamstring last Wednesday while shagging fly balls in the outfield. He missed a scheduled start the next day against the New York Yankees.
Right-handed reliever Wes Littleton was called up from Triple-A Oklahoma to take Millwood’s roster spot. Right-hander Mike Wood is the probable replacement for Millwood in the Rangers’ rotation during their three-game series at New York starting next Tuesday.
If Wood has to pitch in long relief during the rest of the weekend series against Toronto, the Rangers might have to call up a starter from the minors for the Yankees series.
Millwood will miss at least one more start, but expects to be ready to take his turn in the rotation during a four-game home series next weekend against the Los Angeles Angels.
On Friday, Millwood said the hamstring was improving and he would not need to go on the disabled list. But Rangers management decided that a trip to the DL would prevent Millwood from trying to rush back onto the mound.
“That hamstring, it’s still tender, he can’t finish his pitches, so it’s in his best interests,” manager Ron Washington said. “If we don’t put him on the DL, he’ll be around here being a pest, trying to get in the lineup and pitch. This way, he can go at his own pace and get right.”
Millwood wasn’t pleased with the decision, but accepted it.
“I’d prefer not to (go on the DL) but it’s not my choice,” Millwood said. “I’m not really happy to go on the DL. But there is no lobbying. They made a decision and that’s that. You just go with it.”
Millwood threw off flat ground on Saturday and said he’s progressing.
“It’s feeling better every day but it hasn’t gone away,” Millwood said.
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