Swollen elbow lands Oakland's Sheets on disabled list

OAKLAND, California (Reuters) - The Oakland Athletics placed starting pitcher Ben Sheets on the 15-day disabled list on Saturday with a strained right elbow.

Sheets missed the entire season last year after having surgery on his right elbow.

"Its been up and down," Sheets told reporters. "But for the past two games its been telling me something, and its swelled up pretty good both times."

Sheets, who had lasted six or more innings in his past 14 starts, was 4-9 with a 4.53 ERA in 20 starts this season. Oakland recalled left-handed reliever Cedrick Bowers to take his spot on the roster.

(Reporting by Mike Mouat in Windsor, Ontario; Editing by Greg Stutchbury)