Danny Salazar's All-Star campaign was interrupted Tuesday, one night after his shortest outing of the season, as the Cleveland Indians placed the talented right-hander on the 15-day disabled list with elbow inflammation.
He'll avoid throwing for up to seven days and is expected to miss two-to-three weeks, the club announced.
Salazar was sent for an MRI following Monday's disastrous outing against the Twins, an abbreviated 55-pitch start in which the 26-year-old was shelled for six runs on six hits over two innings. The Indians said the tests revealed no structural damage.
"There's something in my elbow," Salazar told reporters after Monday's outing. "I don't know what it is."
The move follows a rough month for the first-time All-Star, who skipped the Midsummer Classic in San Diego because of mild elbow soreness. Since the beginning of July, Salazar, who emerged early in the season as a possible Cy Young candidate, has pitched to a 7.88 ERA while allowing seven homers in 22 innings.
| DATE | OPP | IP | H | ER | HR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 4 | Tigers | 5.2 | 8 | 3 | 2 |
| July 9 | Yankees | 5.2 | 8 | 6 | 1 |
| July 19 | Royals | 6.2 | 8 | 2 | 0 |
| July 26 | Nationals | 4.0 | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| Aug. 1 | Twins | 2.0 | 6 | 6 | 3 |
A former Tommy John patient, Salazar insisted to reporters after Monday's start, "everything in that part of elbow is fine." Despite his struggles, which have been accompanied by a drop in velocity, Salazar remains on track to set career bests in wins, strikeouts, and wins above replacement.
"It's bad for me and for the team," Salazar told MLB.com on Monday. "I think the sooner we (find out what it is), then the sooner we'll get through this. I know if I keep pitching like this, I'd be doing damage for the team."
Replacing Salazar on the 25-man roster is newly acquired outfielder Brandon Guyer, who was dealt to Cleveland prior to the deadline in a three-player trade with the Tampa Bay Rays.