Back sends Brett Anderson to DL forcing Chicago Cubs to reconsider rotation

Yet another back injury landed left-hander Brett Anderson on the disabled list, forcing the Chicago Cubs to look for options in their starting rotation.

The Cubs placed their No. 5 starter on the DL Sunday with a lower-back strain after consecutive rocky outings, including leaving the game Saturday night against the New York Yankees in the first inning.

The 29-year-old Anderson, who has a history of back problems, was able to get only one batter out while giving up five runs against the Yankees before he was pulled with lower-back tightness.

In his last two starts, Anderson has thrown only 1 2/3 innings while giving up 12 earned runs. He is 2-2 and his ERA has ballooned to 8.18 over 22 innings in six starts.

"It's two starts in a row, and he probably felt something in his back tonight, but we just can't continue on that path right now," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said Saturday night after the 11-6 loss.

Anderson said he felt something in his back while fielding a bunt by Yankees center fielder Aaron Hicks in the first inning. He then threw awkwardly toward first base, bouncing the ball past Anthony Rizzo.

"Make kind of a weird play, then it stiffens up, and with my history of back problems and everything considered, I didn't want to make it worse on everybody," Anderson said. "Felt it was time to get out of there. Couldn't make the pitches I needed to. The last two starts here at home have been embarrassing from my perspective."

Anderson had two back surgeries in recent years and has been injury-prone since making it to the majors with the Oakland Athletics in 2009.

The Cubs could go with four starters for now before needing to replace Anderson in the rotation. The team has off days on Thursday and the next Monday.

The Cubs could fill out their rotation with either left-hander Mike Montgomery or Triple-A Iowa starter Eddie Butler.

"We could do a lot of different things," Maddon said. "Just watching these guys pitch the next three days, then does anybody need an extra day? Do you want to pop a sixth guy in there?"