Marlins put Yelich on DL with lower back strain

MIAMI -- Marlins left fielder Christian Yelich, who sat out all three games of the series at Philadelphia with back tightness, was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Friday with a lower back strain.

First baseman Justin Bour, already on the 40-man roster, was recalled from Triple-A New Orleans. Yelich's DL stint is retroactive to Monday, meaning he is eligible to be reinstated as early as May 5 at Washington.

The Marlins made a couple of other moves on Friday, placing catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia on the paternity list. The club selected the contract of catcher Jhonatan Solano from New Orleans. To make 40-man space for Solano, Triple-A lefty Grant Dayton was designated for assignment.

Yelich initially experienced back discomfort on April 12 against the Rays at Marlins Park. The 23-year-old remained in the lineup for the series opener at the Braves on April 13, but he was out the next two days of that series.

Yelich played in all four games of last weekend's four-game series at the Mets, going 2-for-18 with eight strikeouts. Clearly, the left-handed-hitting outfielder didn't look himself. In 11 games, Yelich's slash line is .200/.265/.222 with one double.

"It's his back, we're not sure what's going on there," manager Mike Redmond said. "We'll get him checked out, and see what's going on. But hopefully, it's just a short-term thing."

This is the second time in his career Yelich has been on the disabled list with a back issue. He had a stint from June 16-29, 2014, also with a low back strain.

Ichiro Suzuki has been playing left field with Yelich out. Miami doesn't have a true backup outfielder on the roster. Reid Brignac, Jeff Baker and Donovan Solano -- all primarily infielders -- could play the outfield, if necessary.

Bour is batting .275 with one homer and five RBIs for the Zephyrs.