Right-hander Kam Mickolio, who was expected to take over the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles’ closer role this year, has been diagnosed with a disk hernia that will require at least three months to heal, the team said Tuesday.

The 205-cm Mickolio had complained of pain in his hip before an examination at a Fukushima hospital revealed the condition, leaving him hopeless to start the 2015 regular season. Mickolio, 30, posted at least 20 saves for three consecutive seasons with the Hiroshima Carp until last year. He moved to Rakuten this season.

“I’d be talking tough if I said this doesn’t hurt our team,” said Eagles first-year manager Hiromoto Okubo.

Second-year lefty Yuki Matsui and Koji Aoyama are candidates to fulfill the closer’s role in the meantime, according to Okubo.