Phillies Place Thome on Disabled List

Phillies placed 1B Jim Thome on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 29, with a lower back strain and recalled catcher Erik Kratz from the minors to take his place on the active roster.

Thome hasn't played since tweaking his lower back after sliding into second base during Saturday's game. He hoped to avoid a DL-stint, but the Phillies couldn't go short-handed on their bench any longer.

So far, the 41-year-old is just 2-for-18 (.111) with 10 strikeouts this season, being used in a limited role.  He was supposed to come in and give the Phillies some pop from the left-side off-the-bench, but so far he hasn't helped provide that.

Kratz, 31, was hitting .294 with three homers, nine RBI in his first 54 plate appearances at the Triple-A level this season.