A number of pitchers have recently been placed on the DL or are scheduled to miss their next starts for a variety of reasons. Mark Mulder was placed on the disabled list on the 15-day DL retroactive to April 12th on Monday. He had to leave his start Thursday with tightness in his right forearm. Although exams showed nothing more serious than a strain, the A's want Mulder to rest the arm and make sure that he does not incur further damage.

He should be able rejoin the team as soon as he is eligible to leave the DL on April 27th. The team has not yet determined who they will call up to spot start in Mulder's place on Friday, though Mike Fyhrie appears to be their first choice. If he has troubles or if they want someone able to pitch longer outings, they will likely call up Justin Duchscherer.

Mets' pitcher Satoru Komiyama cut the middle finger of his right hand opening his garage door. Although the cut should not take fifteen days to heal, he probably wouldn't have been able to pitch until Thursday at the earliest. The Mets have been involved in several extra-inning games and wanted to be able to bring up a fresh arm, so they've placed Komiyama on the 15-day DL.

New York called up Tyler Yates to replace Komiyama on the roster. The 24-year-old right-handed reliever spent most of last season in AA with a few innings in AAA. He has good skills and should be a productive member of a bullpen in a couple years. Yates probably needs more time in AAA but should be fine for a short stint in the majors.

I mentioned a couple days ago that Wade Miller experienced neck spasms and a dead arm following his last start and that he would miss his next start. After doctors in Houston examined him and found a pinched nerve in his neck, he was placed on the DL on Monday. Miller plans to seek a second opinion on the injury in order to determine whether or not he will have surgery to repair the problem. No timetable has been set yet for his return.

Brandon Puffer was called up to replace Miller on the roster. The 26-year-old righty is a little old to be a prospect and has not pitched higher than AA prior to this season. However he has demonstrated good skills in the minors, compiling 91 K and only 35 BB in 83 IP with 52 H at the hitters' paradise at AA Round Rock last season.

The Astros are expected to call up Tim Redding in the near future to join the rotation in Miller's absence. Redding and Carlos Hernandez battled for the fifth starter's job during Spring Training. Most expected that whoever lost the job would still stay on in the bullpen, but at the last minute Houston decided Redding would be better off with more time in the minors. If he performs well in Miller's absence, Redding will likely remain in the bullpen for the rest of the season.

Andy Pettitte will miss his next start due to a tender left elbow. He had to leave his last start in the third inning due to soreness and the area has remained partially swollen. Pettitte also had problems with the elbow during Spring Training. Unfortunately, the team has been rather tight-lipped about the seriousness of the injury. We do know that Pettitte will likely head to the DL if he isn't able to start throwing soon. Adrian Hernandez is expected to spot start for Pettitte. If Ted Lilly is fresh, he may also be given a chance to start, but the Yankees have been happy with his work in the bullpen.

Joe Mays will also miss his next start. Mays had an MRI Monday to check on a sore shoulder. The MRI revealed inflammation in the elbow near where the muscle meets the tendons. He should be alright after missing one start, as the elbow likely just needs some rest. Tony Fiore will supposedly receive the spot start for Mays.

In other news, the team signed Mike Trombley to a minor league deal. He will report to the Twins' extended Spring Training, after which he will probably spend some time in AAA. However, Minnesota fully intends to call him up if he pitches well.

Further examinations confirmed the Dodgers' original diagnosis of Kevin Brown's injury. Brown has some swelling from tearing of scar tissue in his elbow. However, the scar tissue is not in a vital area and this will only keep him out for one start while he rests the joint and allows the swelling to subside. Omar Daal will spot start for Brown.

Ryan Jensen sprained his right ankle in the first inning of his last start. Fortunately, the sprain is considered mild and he may even be able to make his next start. If he can put pressure on the ankle by, Thursday then he should be okay to make his next start. Otherwise, he may go on the DL so that the ankle can rest and the Giants can call up a replacement.