Miguel Gonzalez strains groin, headed to disabled list

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Right-hander Miguel Gonzalez, who has pitched superbly since the beginning of July, strained his right groin Thursday and is headed to the disabled list.

“I just need to get better and get ready within three weeks,’’ Gonzalez said. “That way I don’t have to rush it.”

Gonzalez had a similar injury, also on his right groing, with the Baltimore Orioles last season. Gonzalez, who pitched a scoreless first with two strikeouts, owned a 2.76 ERA in seven starts since July 1, the ninth-best mark in the American League.

Gonzalez felt it on his first pitch of the second inning to Salvador Perez. After going to a 3-2 count, trainer Herm Schneider and manager Robin Ventura came to the mound, and that was that.

“ I didn’t have anything to push off with, no strength,’’ he said. “Knowing you can’t have that strength, you can’t go out there and make it worse.’’

He was replaced by Michael Ynoa, who pitched three scoreless innings.