The Chicago Cubs placed Cole Hamels on the 10-day injury list Saturday because of an oblique strain.
The move took place one day after Hamels exited his start against the Cincinnati Reds after pitching only one inning. Hamels reported pain in his side, and the team confirmed an oblique strain after a medical examination.
Hamels, 35, is 6-3 with a 2.98 ERA in 17 starts this season. He has 97 strikeouts in 99 2/3 innings.
The Cubs promoted a pair of relief pitchers — right-handers Dillon Maples and Rowan Wick — after placing Hamels on the IL and designating veteran outfielder Carlos Gonzalez for assignment. Gonzalez batted just .175 with one homer and three RBIs in 15 games with Chicago.
Hamels’ injury is the latest setback for a starting rotation that already includes Kyle Hendricks on the IL because of shoulder inflammation.
The team likely will keep right-handers Tyler Chatwood and Adbert Alzolay in the starting rotation along with Jon Lester, Jose Quintana and Yu Darvish while Hamels is out.
Maples, 27, is 1-0 without allowing a run in seven appearances for the Cubs this season. The 26-year-old Wick has a 2.45 ERA in three appearances for Chicago.