CLEVELAND -- Matt Joyce's back has been bothering him for large parts of the season, and on Friday it reached a breaking point. The Athletics officially placed their starting left fielder on the 10-day disabled list with a lumbar strain on Saturday, retroactive to Thursday.
In a corresponding move, the club recalled outfielder Nick Martini from Triple-A Nashville to add a much-needed lefty bat to its bench.
Joyce previously missed nearly three weeks in June with the same injury and hasn't been the same since returning. In 27 plate appearances, he was slashing .250/.333/.292 with one extra-base hit.
"I can see in batting practice," Athletics manager Bob Melvin said. "He's having a tough time pulling the ball and driving the ball. He wants to be there for his team, but it just came to a head yesterday, and we had a conversation. The best thing to do is to try to get him healthy."
Melvin said that Joyce will see a doctor early next week and hopes the injury isn't too serious. There was no singular moment that led to a flare-up.

Martini, 28, will be making his third stint with the big league club and is in the midst of a 65-game on-base streak with the Sounds. He is slashing .308/.415/.436 in the Minors and is 1-for-10 with the A's. That one hit was a game-winning double against the White Sox on June 23.
Martini said he used that bat -- which was also from his first Major League hit -- for about 30 of the games during the active streak but eventually decided to give the bat to his father.
Anderson set to return
Melvin announced a slight change to the rotation with left-hander Brett Anderson set to return from a left shoulder strain on Sunday. That bumps Frankie Montas, who was previously schedule to start that day, to Monday's series opener against the Astros.
Anderson has been out since May 18 with the injury and has a 7.63 ERA in 15 1/3 innings over four starts this season. Oakland will have to make a corresponding move to clear a spot on the active roster for him.
Mengden, Cahill injury updates
The Athletics could see further additions to their pitching corps with Daniel Mengden and Trevor Cahill nearing returns. Mengden (right foot sprain) threw 3 2/3 innings in a rehab start with Nashville on Friday and will need at least one more outing, while Cahill (right Achilles tendon strain) is in play to return before the All-Star break.