ATLANTA (AP) - The Atlanta Braves have placed struggling reliever Jonny Venters on the 15-day disabled list with a left elbow impingement.
Thursday's move came after the left-hander gave up his sixth homer of the season to Jeff Baker in Wednesday night's 5-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs.
Left-hander Luis Avilan was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett. Avilan was 3-6 with a 3.23 ERA in 16 games, including 12 starts, at Double-A Mississippi. Avilan was assigned to the Gwinnett roster on Wednesday.
Venters had six wins, nine saves and a 1.84 ERA last year as a top setup man for closer Craig Kimbrel. He allowed only three homers in 2010 and 2011 combined.
He is 3-3 with a 4.45 ERA and no saves this season.
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