It never occurred to me that Mike Leake was ever overused as a starting pitcher – now relief pitcher. I am not to suggest that overuse was a culprit, but Leake will have time to sit and let his throwing shoulder rest.

The Cincinnati Reds, mindful of the importance of Leake to the team, placed the rookie on the 15-day disabled list; it will not affect his standing on the postseason roster, assuming Cincinnati makes the playoffs.

According to Reds manager Dusty Baker:

“It’s better for him, and he still may be eligible for the playoffs.”

“He’s not throwing the ball where he wants to throw it, even though he has good velocity.”

“It’s something we’re apprehensive about.”

“We had to do something with him anyway. This way, we’ll get him on a strengthening program. He can focus on that and not on pitching. Now is the time to do it.”

Leake will be able to come off the DL on September 9; in the meantime, the Reds called up Juan Francisco from Louisville, presumably to take Laynce Nix’s spot on the roster while he recovers from a sprained ankle.

Nix is currently day-to-day.