May 08, 2006 2:05 AM EST

After debating what to do with Milton Bradley for several days, the Athletics placed their right fielder on the 15-day disabled list Sunday because of a strained muscle in his right side.

Bradley, who also has been hindered by a sprained right knee, had already missed nine straight games since hurting his knee in a game April 25 at Texas. The move is retroactive to April 27, meaning he would be eligible to come off the DL on Friday for the opener of a weekend series against the Yankees in New York.

"We're hoping that by the time the other five days elapse, he'll be ready to play," manager Ken Macha said before Oakland finished a three-game series against the Tampa Bay. "My concern is to make sure he is going to be 100 percent healthy when we do bring him back."

Via ESPN.com