Washington Nationals place Shawn Kelley on 10-Day DL, recall A.J. Cole from Triple-A...

The Washington Nationals placed reliever Shawn Kelley on the 10-Day DL this morning with what the tweeted report on the move described as a right trapezius strain.

The move is retroactive to June 17th.

A.J. Cole has been called up to take Kelley’s place on the roster and in the Nationals’ bullpen.

Dusty Baker talked to reporters about Kelley’s struggles this season before Saturday afternoon’s game against the New York Mets in Citi Field, explaining that the right-handed reliever was dealing with pain in his neck after he gave up a solo home run in the ninth inning of Friday night’s win.

“He has a little tightness in his neck,” Baker said, as quoted by MASN’s Byron Kerr.

“They’re trying to subside it now, like a spasm in his neck.”

Noting that Kelley’s velocity dropped off a little in that appearance, Baker said there was some concern.

“Yeah, a little concerned,” he said, though at that point he was hoping that Kelley, who already landed on the DL once this season, with a lower back issue, could avoid landing on the Disabled List again.

Through 22 appearances this season, the 33-year-old righty, who signed a 3-year/$15M deal with the Nationals before the 2016 campaign, has put up a 7.00 ERA, an 8.92 FIP, nine walks (4.50 BB/9), 20 Ks (10.00 K/9) and nine home runs in 18 innings after giving up nine home runs total in 58 innings last season.

Cole, 25, made one start for the Nationals earlier this season.

In 10 starts at Triple-A Syracuse, the 2010 4th Round pick is (3-2) with a 5.68 ERA, 4.62 FIP, 22 walks (3.78 BB/9) and 38 Ks (6.54 K/9) in 52 ¹⁄₃ innings pitched.