Twins righthander Ricky Nolasco has been placed on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained right elbow. The move will be retroactive to Sunday, when he lasted just two innings against the Yankees.

The Twins will call up catcher-outfielder-first baseman Chris Herrmann from Class AAA Rochester to replace him on the roster. They have not announced who will replace Nolasco in the rotation.

Nolasco was in line to pitch on Sunday in Colorado. The Twins could give that spot start to Samuel Deduno or Anthony Swarzak then see if Nolasco can make a July 22 start against Cleveland. Or they could call up someone like lefthander Kris Johnson from Class AAA Rochester.

By then, they could give righthander Trevor May or righthaner Alex Meyer - two pitchers everyone wants to see - their long-awaited break.

The Twins suspected something was wrong with Nolasco when his velocity dipped on Sunday and the quality of his stuff dropped off. He admitted in a meeting on Monday on Seattle that his elbow has given him some trouble since spring training. The Twins, who are paying Nolasco $49 million over the next four seasons, want to get him healthy and see if he can show the form that made him their richest free agent signing in club history.

Herrmann is batting .314 with 2 homers and 15 RBI for the Red Wings, splitting time between catching and the outfield.