Brewers place Kintzler on disabled list

MILWAUKEE -- Reliever Brandon Kintzler became the first in-season member of the disabled list on Saturday, when he was placed on the 15-day DL with what the club is calling a mild strain of his right rotator cuff. Kintzler, who has allowed no runs on two hits in five innings this season, hasn't pitched since April 8, in Boston.

The team was set to recall Rob Wooten, who has three saves in as many attempts without allowing a hit for Triple-A Nashville. Wooten posted a 3.86 ERA in 11 2/3 innings during Spring Training, and a 3-1 record and 3.90 ERA in 27 games out of the Milwaukee bullpen last season.

Kintzler downplayed the severity of the ailment.

"I've been kind of battling through it the last two weeks," Kintzler said. "It just got to a point where I got tired of battling it. It's a long season; it'll be a quick fix. I was able to loosen it up by game time ... but playing catch during the day just wasn't really good. I got tired of grinding through it every day trying to get ready for a game in April."

Kintzler was able to maintain his velocity in his last outing despite the ailment.

"When adrenaline takes over, I don't feel it," he said. "It's just a matter of getting over the cold and getting to the point of getting to that point. I don't want to grind through the whole year of worrying about it. It's nice and calm, and it'll be done before we know it."

Kintzler, one of many options at manager Ron Roenicke's disposal for high-leverage, late-inning situations, said that the strain has already calmed in the four days since he last worked. He indicated that it was right under the armpit, near the lat muscle.

"Obviously, I want to join the party," he said. "Hopefully, I'll be back for a bigger party."