Pirates' Snell sent to DL with strained right elbow

PITTSBURGH -- Pirates right-hander Ian Snell was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday with a muscle strain in his right elbow.

The move freed up a roster spot for right-handed reliever Denny Bautista, acquired Wednesday from the Detroit Tigers. Bautista was expected to be available for Thursday night's game against the New York Yankees.

Snell (3-7) complained of a sore elbow after lasting four innings during an 8-5 loss to Toronto on Sunday. Tests on Monday showed no ligament damage, and he was expected to miss only one start.

Snell, the Pirates' opening-day starter, has won once in 13 starts since April 12.

With Snell and left-hander Phil Dumatrait (left shoulder bursitis) on the disabled list, right-handers Jimmy Barthmaier and John Van Benschoten will be brought up from Triple-A Indianapolis to start against Tampa Bay.

Barthmaier will pitch Friday and Van Benschoten, 0-2 with the Pirates earlier this season, will start Saturday.

After the Yankees-Pirates game was rained out following a lengthy delay Thursday night, the Pirates optioned right-handed reliever T.J. Beam to Indianapolis to clear a roster spot for Barthmaier. Beam gave up five runs in 2 1/3 innings in two games with Pittsburgh, allowing two home runs and four runs in one inning against the Yankees on Wednesday night.