Angels pitcher Dan Haren goes on DL for first time in his career

Angels right-hander Dan Haren, who has been slowed all season because of lower-back stiffness, was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday for the first time in his career.

Reliever Kevin Jepsen was called up from triple-A Salt Lake to replace Haren on the roster, but the Angels will need another starter -- most likely triple-A left-hander Brad Mills -- for Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles.

Haren, 31, leads the major leagues with 254 starts since 2005, and he hasn’t missed a start since college. He has thrown 215 innings or more in seven consecutive seasons, the longest active streak in the majors.

But Haren has given up 26 runs in 27 innings of his last five starts, and he admitted after Tuesday’s 9-5 loss in Cleveland that his back has been bothering him all season. He was examined Thursday morning before being placed on the DL.

“It’s just a matter of getting a hold of it because I’m not helping the team right now going out there and pitching the way I am,” Haren said Tuesday night after falling to 6-8 with a 4.86 earned-run average.

“I’ve tried to suck it up a little bit and do my best out there, but first and foremost is the team. Am I helping the team or hurting the team going out there?”

ALSO:

Ervin Santana gets rocked in Angels’ 12-3 loss to Indians

Angels could be short-handed if Dan Haren goes on disabled list

Angels’ Erneto Frieri and Dodgers’ Kenley Jansen join the fan club