Matt Cain placed on disabled list by San Francisco Giants

The San Francisco Giants put right-hander Matt Cain on the 15-day disabled list because of a cut on his right index finger. He cut himself with a kitchen knife a few days ago.

Cain, 29, is 0-3 with a 4.35 earned-run average in five starts and 31 innings this season. This is only the second DL stint of his career — he missed the minimum 15 days after taking a comebacker to the forearm in August.

In all likelihood, long reliever Yusmeiro Petit will replace Cain in the rotation. The 29-year-old has a 2.91 ERA in 202/3 innings this year.

Tampa Bay cuts Bell

Relief pitcher Heath Bell was cut by the Tampa Bay Rays.

Needing a fresh long man in the bullpen, the Rays recalled right-hander Nathan Karns from triple-A Durham and designated Bell for assignment before a 5-1 victory over the New York Yankees.