Jonny Venters wasn't ready to blame his struggles of late on his sore left elbow but that didn't prevent him from being placed on the 15-day disabled list before Thursday's game against Chicago. Venters clearly hasn't been himself of late but didn't tell anyone about the soreness in his elbow until after Wednesday's loss according to Fredi Gonzalez.
"Yesterday was the first time" he mentioned it, Gonzalez said. "Those bullpen guys, it's a tough job.... But this is the first time that he's had a complaint. And with everything going on, go ahead and shut him down, let him regroup and let him catch up. Like I said, I think when the 15 days are up that he'll be ready to go."
The injury is not deemed serious and no MRI exam is scheduled. Perhaps it is a good time for Venters to take a break and clear his head before returning in the second half of the season.
Venters has appeared in 40 games this season and has a 4.45 ERA. To take his place on the roster Atlanta called up Luis Avilan from Triple-A Gwinnett.
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