Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Wandy Rodriguez was pulled from his start against the Braves on Wednesday after just four batters because of tightness in his forearm, the team has announced.
Pirates’ Wandy Rodriguez exits game with forearm injury
The southpaw was pulled in the first inning Wednesday because of tightness in his forearm.
Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
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Rodriguez is the second Bucs starter to leave a game with forearm tightness in the last week, as Jeanmar Gomez left his start Sunday also in the first inning.
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Local police in Ohio are investigating the Indians closer for a drug-related incident at his home. Rodriguez struggled out of the gate, giving up back-to-back singles to Andrelton Simmons and Jason Heyward to lead off the game. After getting Chris Johnson to ground out, the left-hander beaned Freddie Freeman with an 87 mile-per-hour fastball, about five ticks lower than his average heater.
Rodriguez waved the trainer out immediately following the hit-by-pitch, and could be seen telling Russell Martin "I don't feel good, man" when the catcher approached the mound. The southpaw continually pointed to his elbow as he talked with the team's trainer, and manager Clint Hurdle eventually went to Bryan Morris out of the bullpen.
The extent of the injury will not be known until more tests are done, but it’s worth noting that “forearm tightness” is very often a precursor to serious elbow injuries, including those of the Tommy John variety.
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