Oakland California. On Sunday the Oakland Athletics have placed left handed closer Sean Doolittle, 27, on the 15 day disabled list. Doolittle has an injury to the right side of his ribcage. Doolittle likely was injured on Saturday night during his work as the Athletics closer in a baseball game he pitched against the Los Angeles Angels.
The Athletics promoted from their AAA minor league branch the Sacramento River Cats right handed pitcher Dan Otero relief pitcher Dan Otero, 29, to replace Doolittle on the 25 man roster on Sunday.
The Athletics are currently in second place in the American League West Division behind the Los Angeles Angels as of the conclusion of baseball games played on Sunday.
The Athletics will be playing at Minute Park in Houston for a three game series against the Houston Astros starting on Monday. The Athletics will likely use a bullpen by committee until Doolittle returns from the disabled list.
The Athletics are hoping the injury to Doolittle will not sideline him for a long period of time since he is one of the best closers in the Major Leagues today.
Doolittle signed a five year, $10.5 million contract earlier in the 2014 Major League Baseball season. Doolittle is in the prime years of his baseball career with the Athletics.
Otero will be a welcome addition to the Athletics relief pitching staff for the remainder of the 2014 Major League Baseball season.
News sources: NBC Sports, ESPN, CBS Sports and San Francisco Chronicle