Prior to Saturday¡¯s game against the Rays, the A¡¯s placed Mike Fiers on the 10-day injured list retroactive to May 7 with a sprained right elbow. The right-hander felt discomfort in the elbow following his previous start against the Blue Jays on Thursday and consulted with the A¡¯s training staff.

An MRI on Friday revealed that Fiers had fluid and inflammation built up around the elbow from an old ligament injury he sustained earlier in his career.

¡°We¡¯re gonna shut him down for a few weeks before we re-evaluate that elbow and see how it¡¯s doing,¡± A¡¯s head athletic trainer Nick Paparesta said. ¡°We felt it was best to give him some time off.¡±

Returning from a lumbar strain that landed him on the IL to begin the season, Fiers went 0-2 with a 7.71 ERA in two starts.

Right-hander Burch Smith (groin strain) was reinstated from the 10-day IL and assumed Fiers¡¯ spot on the active roster. Smith appeared in a game for Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday, allowing a run on two hits with two strikeouts over 1 1/3 innings.

With an off-day on Monday, the A¡¯s could get through their next turn in the starting rotation on regular rest, though manager Bob Melvin said calling up a starter from the Minor Leagues is also on the table.

¡°It¡¯s an option,¡± Melvin said. ¡°I do like giving starters an extra day. It¡¯s not totally my decision. We¡¯ll talk as a group going forward.¡±

Injury notes
? Chad Pinder (left knee sprain) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

? Jes¨²s Luzardo (left hand fracture) took part in a light throwing session from 60 feet on Friday. The A¡¯s hope to get the left-hander throwing off a mound in the next week, with the end of May as a possible target date for a return to action.

? Left-hander A.J. Puk (biceps strain) threw a simulated game in Las Vegas on Friday. He is expected to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A in the next week.