The defending American League saves leader has been grounded with a strained triceps.

Cleveland Indians right-hander Joe Borowski, who had 45 saves last season despite a 5.07 earned-run average, was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday.

The much-maligned stopper blew a save and surrendered a two-run home run to Boston's Manny Ramirez in a 6-4 loss to the Red Sox.

Borowski had been puzzled by a significant loss in his velocity before being examined by doctors.

"It's driving me crazy," Borowski said after Monday's blown save, his second straight. "I'm grasping at straws. Maybe it's something. Maybe it's nothing."

He got off to a bad start against the Red Sox when Julio Lugo ripped a fastball down the left-field line for a leadoff double.

After a sacrifice, David Ortiz blooped a single to left and up came Ramirez, who crushed Borowski's first pitch.

It registered just 83 miles per hour on the radar gun, and it was so slow Ramirez wasn't sure if it was a fastball or change-up.

"I had nothing," Borowski said.

With Borowski out, Indians manager Eric Wedge most likely will turn to Rafael Betancourt as his closer.

Betancourt was one of baseball's top setup men last season, going 5-1 with a 1.47 ERA in 68 games. He had three saves in 2007 and has 12 career saves.

The Indians on Tuesday recalled right-hander Tom Mastny from triple-A Buffalo.

With files from the Associated Press