Tue Jun 3 15:02:31 2008

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Reds place Mercker back on DL

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Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - The Cincinnati Reds placed relief pitcher Kent Mercker on the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday with lower back pain.

It is the second stint on the DL with lower back pain for Mercker, who just came off the shelf on May 29th. The 40-year-old left-hander had been sidelined since May 9 with the injury, only to come off the DL for less than a week.

Mercker has a 3.29 earned run average in 15 appearances this season for the Reds, his third campaign with the club. To fill his roster spot the Reds selected the contract of lefty Danny Herrera from Triple-A Louisville, and said that a corresponding 40-man roster move will be made prior to Tuesday's game against the Phillies.

Herrera will make his major league debut when he appears for the Reds. Mercker will return to Cincinnati for an examination.