Cardinals' Punto goes on DL

ST. LOUIS, May 18 (UPI) -- A sore throwing arm landed St. Louis Cardinals infielder Nick Punto on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday, the team said.

Punto, 33, who missed most of spring training while he recovered from a sports hernia, has a strained right forearm flexor, the National League club said.

Since returning April 19, he has batted .262 with four doubles, two triples and 11 runs batted in 25 games.

Punto was signed by the Cardinals as a free agent in January after playing several seasons in Minnesota.

The Cards gave his roster spot to infielder Pete Kozma, 23, who has been hitting .220 with 17 RBI in 38 games at Class AAA Memphis.