Tigers place Dotel on DL with elbow inflammation

CHICAGO (AP) The Detroit Tigers have put reliever Octavio Dotel on the 15-day disabled list with inflammation in his right elbow.

The Tigers also recalled right-hander Luke Putkonen from Triple-A Toledo before opening a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night. The DL stint for Dotel is retroactive to June 3.

Dotel, who is 1-2 with a 4.42 ERA in 21 games this season, hasn't pitched since June 2. Manager Jim Leyland said he couldn't keep playing with a short bullpen.

This is Putkonen's second stint with Detroit this season. He was 0-2 with a 8.59 ERA in six appearances before being sent down at the end of May.

Updated June 12, 2012