DETROIT (Ticker) -- The Detroit Tigers today recalled righthander Steve Sparks from Class AAA Toledo of the International League and placed reliever Danny Patterson on the 15-day disabled list with an inflamed right elbow.

The Tigers dropped the opener of today's doubleheader with Kansas City and immediately placed Patterson on the DL to make room for Sparks, who will start the second game.

Patterson, 29, was 4-1 with a 3.12 ERA in 30 appearances out of the bullpen and surrendered a run and two hits in one inning during today's first game to suffer his second blown save of the year.

Sparks, 34, is a four-year veteran, who has spent time with Milwaukee and Anaheim. Last season, the righthander went 5-11 with a 5.42 ERA in 28 apperances for the Angels.

He is 0-1 with an 8.44 ERA in four appearances for the Tigers this year and was pounded for eight runs and nine hits over 5 2/3 innings during an 8-1 loss at Cleveland on July 24 in his only start.

Sparks was 5-7 with a 3.77 ERA in 16 games -- 14 starts -- at Toledo.