Right-hander Mark Prior was placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Chicago Cubs on Saturday, one day after he was hit in the right elbow by a line drive.

An MRI showed a compression fracture near the elbow. Prior and Cubs officials did not speculate how long Prior would be out.

"It could have been a lot worse, it could have been my career," Prior said. "Everyone knows the risks going out there and playing."

Prior began this season on the DL with inflammation in the elbow. In nine starts this year, he is 4-1 with a 2.93 ERA.

The Cubs recalled right-hander Roberto Novoa from Iowa of the Pacific Coast League to take Prior's roster spot. Novoa was 1-1 with Iowa with three saves and a 2.78 ERA.

They also obtained pitchers Jerome Williams and David Aardsma from San Francisco for reliever LaTroy Hawkins, who had been demoted after starting the season as Chicago's closer.