Cleveland ? Ricky Gutierrez’s first season with the Cleveland Indians has been a real pain literally for the second baseman.

Gutierrez was placed on the 15-day disabled list Monday with a strained neck he said he has been playing with since the opening weeks of the season.

“I’m really concerned,” said Gutierrez, who signed a three-year deal with the Indians in December after the club traded Roberto Alomar. “When you start talking about your neck, it’s a worry. Hopefully, I’m going to be all right.”

Pending further tests on Gutierrez, the Indians are calling the injury an upper neck strain.

Gutierrez said he hurt his neck while diving to stop a grounder against Detroit in April, and although he has had pain and stiffness all season, he has continued to play.

He did go on the DL in June with a strained groin.