DENVER -- After watching Rafael Soriano remain healthy while making a career-high 71 appearances last year, the Braves felt comfortable enough to give him a multiyear contract and project him as their closer for this year.

Less than two full weeks into the season, the Braves find themselves without their closer.

Minutes before the start of Wednesday night's game against the Rockies at Coors Field, the Braves placed Soriano on the 15-day disabled list with right elbow tendinitis. The move was made retroactive to April 7, meaning the right-handed reliever would be eligible for activation for the April 23 game against the Marlins.

"It was the same little elbow thing," Cox said referencing the elbow discomfort Soriano felt in March. "It's getting better. But there's no sense in pushing it this time of year. We'd like to get him completely well to pitch the rest of the season."

While Soriano is unavailable, Peter Moylan or Manny Acosta will likely serve as the Braves closer. When asked, Cox didn't specify how he'd now use these top two setup men.

Late Wednesday afternoon, Braves manager Bobby Cox said he hadn't decided what the corresponding move would be if projected rains held off and allowed him to activate Chuck James from the 15-day DL to start the evening's game.

There was thought the Braves might take the risk of creating a roster spot by putting Blaine Boyer or Chris Resop, who are both out of options, on the waiver wire. But with Soriano ailing, both of these right-handed relievers become even more valuable.

Because Cox never provided indication that Soriano going to the disabled list was even a potential move, there's reason to believe he was remaining hopeful his closer might not need two full weeks to return to health.

Soriano complained of some elbow discomfort during the early weeks of Spring Training and didn't even appear in a Grapefruit League game until March 15. He has made four appearances this year with his only back-to-back appearances coming during this weekend's abbreviated two-game series against the Mets.

After struggling through Sunday's 24-pitch ninth inning and notching his first save of the season, Soriano appeared healthy. But he was unavailable to pitch during the 2-1 loss to the Rockies on Monday, when Cox was forced to use Boyer in the eighth inning and save Acosta to serve as his closer.

When Soriano was acquired from the Mariners before the start of last season, he was considered somewhat of a health risk. Elbow problems limited him to a combined 13 games during the 2004 and 2005 seasons. He underwent Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery on Aug. 17, 2004.

Soriano, who posted a 3.00 ERA and limited opponents to a .181 batting average last year, was also on the disabled list during the 2002 and 2006 seasons because of a right shoulder discomfort.

The Braves were willing to gamble on Soriano's health when they provided him a two-year, $9.1 million contract in January.