Atlanta Braves closer Bob Wickman has landed on the 15-day disabled list with tendinitis in his upper back.

Wickman, 38, admitted Monday that the injury worsened because of "stubbornness on my part. You would think I'd be smart enough … I have been hurting the team rather than helping them."

Bob Wickman saved 30 of 34 games for the Indians and Braves in 2006.
(Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Wickman, who will treat the injury with deep tissue massage and stretching, is 1-1 this season with a 3.97 earned-run average and six saves in eight opportunities.

But the veteran right-hander has walked 10 batters in 11 1/3 innings, primarily because he wasn't extending his pitching arm.

He issued just 13 walks in 57 relief appearances for the Cleveland Indians and Braves last season.

Wickman is 61-58 lifetime with a 3.57 ERA and 253 saves in 791 appearances, including 28 starts, over 15 MLB seasons with the New York Yankees, Milwaukee Brewers, Indians and Braves.

He re-signed with Atlanta for $6.5 million US last Sept. 20.

Atlanta activated reliever Chad Paronto from the DL to replace Wickman on the roster, but will likely split the closer's role between Mike Gonzalez and Rafael Soriano.

With files from the Associated Press