Pectoral injury sends reliever Yates to disabled list

NEW YORK -- The Rays placed reliever Kirby Yates on the Major League disabled list on Wednesday with a strained right pectoral muscle.

The right-hander began the season with the Rays, posting a 4.15 ERA in four appearances before being optioned to Triple-A Durham on April 17. Since then, he is 0-1 with a 10.12 ERA in three relief appearances for Durham.

In executing the move, which is retroactive to April 15, the Rays voided Yates' option while making the reliever the 13th player to go on the DL in April, tops in the Major Leagues.

In the past 20 years, only one team has put as many players on the DL in April: Texas with 13 in 2104. The Rays currently have 11 players on the DL.