SEATTLE, June 19 (UPI) -- The Seattle Mariners say veteran relief pitcher Kazuhiro Sasaki has fractured ribs and likely will be out indefinitely.
An MRI Wednesday revealed that he has hairline fractures of the 10th and 11th ribs on his right side. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list on June 12 when it was thought he had bruised ribs.
"The first thing we've got to do is allow the tissue to heal and allow the ribs to heal," said team trainer Rick Griffin. "Once that takes place, we can start the rehabilitation process."
Sasaki, a native of Japan who is the Mariners' closer, suffered the injury while carrying his suitcase up a flight of stairs.
In 22 appearances overall this season, Sasaki, 35, is 1-1 with a 4.12 ERA and 10 saves in 14 chances. He had been stellar since returning from the DL on May 9, allowing no runs and five hits in 11 appearances spanning 9 2/3 innings.
