Former Italy captain Luca Bigi was called up on Tuesday to replace injured hooker Marco Manfredi in the squad for this weekend's Six Nations game against Scotland in Rome.
Manfredi has been sidelined with a left calf muscle problem, the Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) confirmed, without revealing how long the 26-year-old would be sidelined.
Zebre Parma's Manfredi, capped three times by Italy, has not yet participated in this year's Six Nations.
He has returned to his club side to undergo treatment, the FIR said.
Coach Gonzalo Quesada called up 32-year-old Bigi, capped 48 times and 13 times as captain, for the first time since the Argentine took over in January.
Bigi was initially selected for the 2023 World Cup but could not play the first two matches because of an adductor injury, and was replaced by club teammate Manfredi.
Italy are bottom of the Six Nations table with three points after a 13-13 draw against France, and defeats by Ireland and England.