ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Los Angeles Angels ace Jered Weaver left his start against the Yankees in the first inning Monday night after just 12 pitches with excruciating lower back pain.
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Los Angeles Angels ace Jered Weaver left his start against the Yankees in the first inning Monday night after just 12 pitches with excruciating lower back pain.
Weaver will have an MRI exam Tuesday, and manager Mike Scioscia isn’t sure whether the two-time All-Star will be placed on the disabled list.
“It felt like somebody stabbed me in the back,” said Weaver, 6-1 with a 2.61 ERA. “I’ve never felt anything like that before. It’s disappointing. You get up for games like this.”
Weaver gave up two hits and a run in his first three batters before pulling up awkwardly after pitching to cleanup hitter Robinson Cano. He walked around the mound and eventually attempted to throw a warmup pitch that didn’t have much zip before heading to the Angels’ clubhouse with their training staff.
Nearly four hours and a few muscle relaxants later, Weaver still was standing awkwardly in front of his locker after the Angels’ seventh straight victory.
“I can’t really bend over too much,” Weaver said. “I tried to throw that second pitch, but there was no way. The way the team is playing right now, I’m one of the guys that wants to be out there.”
Weaver is second in the AL in victories. Although five relievers replaced him in a wild 9-8 victory over the Yankees, any extended absence for Weaver could be quite problematic.