Buchter to 10-day DL

HOUSTON — Left-hander Ryan Buchter, one of the most reliable members of Oakland’s bullpen in the first month of the season, was placed on the disabled list Friday before the A’s series at Houston.

Buchter, who has not allowed a run in his past six appearances, left Wednesday’s game at Texas with shoulder stiffness; manager Bob Melvin noted that there was concern about his dip in velocity and said he will be shut down from throwing for 10 to 15 days.

“He’s been kind of going back and forth with it,” Melvin

said. “Some days it felt good, some days it didn’t feel as good. ... This doesn’t help. He’s been really good for us.”

Melvin said that Danny Coulombe could get some left-on-left situations, but right-hander Yusmeiro Petit also could wind up facing lefthanded hitters in late-game situations.

Buchter’s fastball was 93-94 mph in his previous appearances this year, and he was throwing 89 mph Wednesday.

There is not thought to be any structural damage, Melvin said.

This is the first time Buchter ever has been placed on the DL. In 13 games, he has a 1.69 ERA and .250 opponents average while stranding all four of his inherited runners.

The A’s recalled left-hander Coulombe and Petit was reinstated from the bereavement list after the death of his mother, Rubia, in Venezuela. Coulombe, who made a team-high 72 appearances last year, got off to a rough start this season, with a 5.79 ERA and .265 opponents average in nine appearances. He made one appearance with Triple-A Nashville, working two scoreless innings Wednesday.

The A’s have nine relievers after adding Wilmer Font on Thursday while sending out starter Kendall Graveman.