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SEATTLE -- Felix Hernandez was placed on the 15-day disabled list late Monday night as the Seattle Mariners decided the best treatment for his sprained left ankle was a few more days of rest.

Felix Hernandez

Starting Pitcher
Seattle Mariners

Profile

2008 Season Stats

GM	W	L	BB	K	ERA
16	6	5	38	93	2.83

The move was retroactive to June 24, meaning Hernandez is eligible to come off the disabled list July 8.

Hernandez, 6-5 with a 2.83 ERA, was injured June 23 against the New York Mets. Earlier in that game Hernandez became the first American League pitcher in 37 years to hit a grand slam, but was later injured when Carlos Beltran slid into his leg covering home on a wild pitch.

Hernandez was examined by team physicians Monday as the Mariners returned from a nine-game road trip. Manager Jim Riggleman said nothing significant was found, but since Hernandez was going to miss his next start anyway, the team decided to give his ankle a few more days of rest and put him on the disabled list.

"His landing foot is still not really right, [and] we're not going to put him out there till it is right," Riggleman said.

Seattle recalled LHP Cesar Jimenez from Triple-A Tacoma to take Hernandez's spot. Jimenez, a reliever, was 1-3 with a 3.55 ERA in 29 appearances with the Rainiers.

Reliever Ryan Rowland-Smith will make his first major league start Tuesday night against Toronto in place of Hernandez.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press