Reds put Burton on DL, bring back Coffey

CINCINNATI (AP) _ Jared Burton, who developed into one of the Cincinnati Reds' most dependable setup relievers, went on the 15-day disabled list Saturday with a strained muscle in his right side.

The Reds called up right-hander Todd Coffey to take Burton's spot in the bullpen.

The right-handed Burton was 4-1 with a 2.23 earned run average in 43 games, often as the setup man for closer Francisco Cordero. He pulled a muscle in his side on a pitch July 6, and has been bothered by it since then. The Reds gave him a few days off before the All-Star break, and he felt much better when he returned.

Manager Dusty Baker said Burton was bothered by the injury when he threw on Friday night.

"He warmed up last night and said it got stiff again," Baker said.

Burton threw in the bullpen on Thursday and felt good. He was surprised that the side bothered him when he tried to throw again a day later.

"This (disabled list) is the best thing, instead of going out and trying to gut it out for the last two months," Burton said. "Last night brought it back to where it was before."

Burton moved into the role that once belonged to Coffey. The right-hander lost the role last season, slimmed down in the offseason and looked good in spring training, giving up only one hit. He struggled when the season began, and had a 6.46 ERA when he was sent down to Triple-A Louisville on April 28.

Baker said David Weathers will remain in the setup role for now.