Oakland, Calif. ? Athletics outfielder Mark Kotsay was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of lower back spasms before Friday’s game against the Kansas City Royals.

Kotsay missed two months of the season after having surgery on his back in March. He was reinstated from the DL on June 1 and hit .214 with one home run and 20 RBI in 56 games with the A’s.