Oakland Athletics place Sonny Gray on DL with strained right forearm

Oakland Athletics right-hander Sonny Gray was placed on the disabled list Sunday due to a strained right forearm.

Gray departed Saturday's loss to the Chicago Cubs after five innings due to forearm soreness. The diagnosis was confirmed Sunday after a battery of tests.

The DL stint will be the second of the season for Gray, who is suffering through the worst year of his career. He is 5-11 with a dismal 5.74 ERA.

Gray won 14 games in each of the previous two seasons and was an American League All-Star in 2015. He finished third in AL Cy Young Award balloting last season.

Oakland recalled right-hander Chris Smith from Triple-A Nashville to fill the roster spot. Smith, 34, last pitched in the majors in 2010 for the Milwaukee Brewers.

Smith made 50 career relief appearances for the Boston Red Sox and Brewers from 2008-10 and went 1-0 with a 5.19 ERA.

Catcher Josh Phegley (knee) was transferred to the 60-day disabled list to open up a 40-man roster spot for Smith.