Texas Rangers place Millwood on DL, call up rookie (RR)

“Like a Millwood grinding...”

A day after his start lasted just 12 pitches, Kevin Millwood was was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday with a strained right groin.

Right-hander Doug Mathis’ contract was purchased from Triple-A Oklahoma to add immediate bullpen depth. Mathis, 5-0 at Oklahoma, is expected to get his first major league start May 20 at Minnesota.

...Millwood was still sore Sunday, and the Rangers opted to take no chances on having the injury linger. Last year, Millwood came back after two weeks from a hamstring injury, made one start and went back on the DL for two more weeks.

Millwood, who had a rigorous off-season conditioning program, suffered a groin strain in 2005 while he was with Cleveland. He missed two weeks and went on to win the AL ERA title.

“It’s a little bit frustrating,” he said. “But one of the things about getting my body in better shape is that hopefully you heal more quickly.”