The injury bug has bitten the Cedar Rapids Kernels pitching staff yet again.

Lefthander David Hurlbut will be placed on the disabled list retroactive to June 5 and Kaleb Merck has been summoned from extended spring training to take his spot on the roster.

Kernels Manager Jake Mauer said Friday that Hurlbut has been experiencing some soreness in the area of his armpit for a few days and has not been able to pitch without discomfort.

Hurlbut has appeared in 16 games, including two spot starts, and carries a 2-1 record and 3.60 ERA in 30 innings.

Merck, drafted a year ago out of Texas Christian University, made 16 relief appearances last summer for the Twins' rookie league team in Elizabethton. He had a 3-2 record and 4.07 ERA in 24.1 innings.