A’s reliever John Axford was placed on the disabled list for the first time in his career.
The eight-year veteran was diagnosed with a strained shoulder after he felt tightness tossing a curve in the bullpen during Tuesday’s game. He went for an MRI exam Wednesday, and the A’s were waiting for the results.
“It was a complete surprise,” manager Bob Melvin said. “Not only to us, but to him.”
With the new 10-day DL, the A’s hope Axford could miss only a week; they can backdate the stint three days.