ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Cleveland Indians placed closer Bob Wickman on the 15-day disabled list Thursday with a strained tendon in his right elbow.

Wickman flew to Los Angeles to have the elbow examined by Dr. Lewis Yocum. He had pitched just once -- last Saturday -- after being placed on the DL on July 23 with a right forearm strain.

"I think the next day he felt it,'' Cleveland manager Joel Skinner said. "He wasn't right.''

Wickman experienced discomfort throwing Wednesday after taking two days off.

"I just went out to throw, and it was stiff again,'' Wickman after the Indians' 6-4 win over Tampa Bay on Wednesday.

Wickman is 1-3 with a 4.46 ERA in 36 games. He has converted 20 of 22 save opportunities.

The Indians also optioned pitcher David Elder to Triple-A Buffalo. Pitchers David Riske and Jerrod Riggan were recalled from Buffalo.

Riske and Riggan will work out of the bullpen.