Rangers place pitcher Joe Saunders on disabled list with ankle injury

Rangers pitcher Joe Saunders lasted just 3.2 innings in his first start with the team. (Brian Blanco/Getty Images)

The Texas Rangers placed pitcher Joe Saunders on the 15-day disabled list with a bruised left ankle, the team announced Monday.

The move is retroactive to April 5.

Saunders was injured in Friday's 8-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays when he was hit by a ball off of the bat of Rays third baseman Evan Longoria. X-rays taken on the ankle were negative.

Daniel McCutchen replaced Saunders in the lineup, allowing three runs in 2 1/3 innings. The team sent him back down to the minors after the game. On Monday, the Rangers recalled McCutchen from Double-A Frisco to take Saunders' roster spot.

Saunders, 32, has a 89-82 career record in 10 seasons in the majors. He went 11-16 last season with the Seattle Mariners.

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