Major League Baseball

M's recall LHP French, put Rowland-Smith on DL

Published Jul. 29, 2010 1:57 a.m. ET

foxsports

Mariners left-hander Ryan Rowland-Smith was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday with a strained lower back, one day after he tied a franchise record for runs allowed by a starting pitcher.

Manager Don Wakamatsu said Rowland-Smith admitted his back was bothering him following Tuesday night's 11-0 loss to the Chicago White Sox and it was affecting his mechanics a little bit.

''We thought it was best at this time to maybe rest it and see where we're at,'' Wakamatsu said.

Rowland-Smith allowed all 11 runs and 11 hits in five innings, dropping to 1-10 on the year. He has yielded at least five earned runs in each of his last three games.

Seattle recalled left-hander Luke French from Triple-A Tacoma but wasn't ready to commit to him for Rowland-Smith's next turn in the rotation Sunday at Minnesota.

''Right now, Luke is in the bullpen,'' Wakamatsu said. ''We'll see how the next couple of days go. He's probably the likely candidate to fill in there.''

French is in his third stint with the Mariners this season. The 24-year-old lefty is 0-1 with a 6.39 ERA in four games, one start, with Seattle.

Also for the Mariners, center fielder Franklin Gutierrez returned to the lineup after he was away from the ballpark Tuesday to deal with a family issue. Infielder Jose Lopez, who left Tuesday's loss with a tight left hamstring, was held out and is day to day.