Major League Baseball

Pirates put Duke on DL with sore left elbow

Published Jun. 24, 2010 12:25 a.m. ET

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Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Zach Duke was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday after a scheduled bullpen session was canceled because of his sore left elbow.

The Pirates had skipped Duke's spot in the rotation Tuesday night in Texas, but had planned to have him throw Wednesday to determine his possible availability for his next scheduled start Saturday. But Duke was still having elbow discomfort.

An MRI exam showed no structural damage in the elbow.

General manager Neal Huntington said Duke will miss at least two more starts.

The move was retroactive to June 17, the day after Duke (3-8) lost to the Chicago White Sox, when he began experiencing discomfort while giving up five runs and eight hits in 5 2-3 innings. He is 1-8 in his last 11 starts.

``It's something we've got to calm down and see where we go,'' manager John Russell said. ``On our side, it's good that it's nothing serious, some inflammation we've got to get out of there and get him back going.''

Duke's roster spot wasn't immediately filled by the Pirates.

Russell is undecided who will take Duke's rotation spot. He said a minor league call-up could be an option for Saturday night's game in Oakland.

The Pirates also said Wednesday that minor league catcher Tony Sanchez, the fourth overall pick in last year's draft, is out indefinitely with multiple fractures in his jaw. He was hit in the face with a pitch Tuesday while batting for Class A Bradenton. He is scheduled to have surgery Thursday.

Sanchez, who had been selected to participate in the All-Star Futures Game for the USA team next month, was hitting .314 with four homers and 35 RBIs in 59 games for Bradenton.

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