Oakland A’s place Sonny Gray on DL, call up Chris Smith

The Oakland Athletics placed starting pitcher Sonny Gray on the disabled list Sunday after he was removed after 72 pitches and five innings in Saturday’s game against the Chicago Cubs with what the A’s called extensor muscle soreness in Gray’s right forearm. Oakland called up 35-year-old Chris Smith to join Oakland’s bullpen. To open a space on the 40-man roster, the A’s transferred catcher Josh Phegley to the 60-day disabled list.

The A’s will need three starters, beginning Tuesday, to replace Gray, the injured Jesse Hahn, and the traded Rich Hill. Zach Neal is no longer listed on the lineup card as a reliever, so he may be a pretty good bet to join the rotation. Daniel Mengden pitched for the Triple-A Nashville Sounds on Saturday and could take Gray’s spot on Thursday.

Ross Detwiler pitched for the Sounds on Friday and could be called up for Wednesday. Saturday’s Sounds game notes listed TBA for Wednesday’s game while Jharel Cotton will pitch Tuesday. If the game notes and lineup card hold true, Neal would pitch Tuesday, Detwiler Wednesday, and Mengden Thursday.

Chris Smith has made 22 starts for Nashville, posting a 3.93 ERA with 121 strikeouts, 45 walks, and 11 home runs allowed in 130 2/3 innings. Smith last appeared in the major leagues on June 14, 2010 for the Milwaukee Brewers.

Josh Phegley has been on the disabled list since July 2, and the transfer rules out Phegley’s return to the active roster until August 31.