ATLANTA, Aug. 27 (UPI) -- The Atlanta Braves, closing in on their 12th straight division title, placed All-Star closer John Smoltz on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday.
The move was retroactive to Sunday. Smoltz is suffering from what the club has said is a slight case of tendinitis in his right elbow.
With a 14-game lead in the National League East Division, the Braves can afford to lose their dominant closer for two weeks and get him healthy for the playoffs.
The major league leader with 44 saves, Smoltz has felt soreness in his elbow for some time and the Braves are shutting him down to prevent the problem from getting worse.
"If this was a four-game lead, I wouldn't be doing this," he said. "This is a luxury thing."
Smoltz will visit arm specialist Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala. as a precautionary move.
