CINCINNATI (AP) — Reds shortstop Alex Gonzalez went back on the disabled list Saturday with bone chips in his throwing elbow, the latest setback to a Cincinnati infield that has been in flux all season.

Gonzalez went on the 15-day disabled list a day after he felt pain on a swing during batting practice. The Reds called up infielder Danny Richar from Triple-A Louisville to take his place.

Cincinnati also optioned left-hander Matt Maloney to Louisville and recalled utility player Wilkin Castillo.

Gonzalez signed a three-year, $14 million contract before the 2007 season. He played in only 110 games in his first year with Cincinnati, going on the bereavement list three times to deal with a child’s illness. He missed all last season with a compression fracture in his left knee.

Pulled muscles in his left side forced him to miss nine games in May. He was batting .214 with two homers and 20 RBIs when his right elbow locked up during a swing Friday night, prompting him to get scratched from the lineup. Tests found four chips in the elbow that will be removed surgically in the next few days.

Gonzalez is expected to be sidelined for at least three weeks.

‘‘That got me down yesterday when Gonzo said he couldn’t play,’’ manager Dusty Baker said.

Baker has been shuffling his infield all season because of injuries and illness.