Yankees’ Mussina Is Put on DL

The New York Yankees put right-hander Mike Mussina on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday because of a strained right groin one day after they said they expected him to miss only one start.

The move is retroactive to Monday. Mussina, 37, left New York’s 8-5 victory over Boston on Sunday night after four innings because of tightness in his groin.

Mussina (13-5), who has already matched his victory total from last season despite being winless in four starts since July 30, will be eligible to come off the disabled list Sept. 5.

Manager Joe Torre has said right-hander Jeff Karstens, who made his major league debut Tuesday, will take Mussina’s turn in the rotation Sunday against the Angels in Anaheim.

The Yankees recalled right-hander Brian Bruney from triple-A Columbus (Ohio) to fill Mussina’s roster spot. Bruney, who has appeared in two Yankees games this season, had been sent to Columbus on Sunday.

New York also released right-hander Sidney Ponson. Ponson was designated for assignment Saturday.

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David Eckstein was put on the disabled list by the St. Louis Cardinals, who signed free agent Jose Vizcaino for infield help while their regular shortstop is sidelined for several weeks.

Eckstein, the Cardinals’ leadoff batter, strained a muscle in his side Friday in Chicago when he slid into Cubs catcher Michael Barrett.

Vizcaino played shortstop and led off against the New York Mets on Tuesday. He hit his second home run of the year.

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The Tampa Bay Devil Rays put pitcher Jae Seo on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained left groin.

Seo, acquired from the Dodgers in a five-player trade June 27, is 1-5 with 4.40 earned-run average in 11 games, including 10 starts, with Tampa Bay.