Lance McCullers placed on DL, won't throw for at least 2 weeks

HOUSTON -- The Houston Astros placed Lance McCullers on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday because of a mild sprain in his right elbow.

McCullers was pulled Tuesday night in a 2-1 loss to Toronto with two outs in the fifth because of elbow discomfort.

Houston manager A.J. Hinch said Wednesday night that McCullers won't do any throwing for at least two weeks.

"If we can get him feeling better, then we will start a throwing program," Hinch said. "Coming off the field yesterday we knew that he was in some pain. The tests today revealed the sprain."

McCullers is 6-5 with a 3.22 ERA and 106 strikeouts in 14 starts this season.

"We are 24 hours into this, so we don't have a ton of answers that we are going to have over the next couple weeks," Hinch said.

"The diagnosis has been a sprain, and we will give him a couple weeks to cool down. He has some inflammation. The muscles around the elbow are pretty tight today because they were trying to protect his body. That's what happens when guys throw like they do."

Joe Musgrove, who struck out eight in 4 1/3 innings of relief Tuesday night, will start Sunday in McCullers' place, Hinch said. The Astros recalled Brad Peacock from Triple-A Fresno to take McCullers' roster spot.