It seems the injury bug didn’t take long to bite Drew Pomeranz.
The Boston Red Sox pitcher left his first start of the spring Friday with an apparent injury.
Pomeranz appeared to be bothered with some sort of ailment after throwing a pitch in the top of the second inning against the St. Louis Cardinals. Red Sox manager Alex Cora and the team’s trainer immediately went to the mound, and Pomeranz was pulled moments after the mound meeting commenced.
Pomeranz threw 17 pitches and retired the four batters he faced before exiting.
Pomeranz, who has struggled to get through an entire season for much of his career, looked to turn a corner in 2017, the best season of his career thus far. The 29-year-old set career-highs in wins, starts and innings, while also posting a 3.32 ERA, tied for a career-best as a starter.
The left-hander is looking to build on that success and parlay it into a big payday; Pomeranz is a free agent after the 2018 season.
UPDATE (2:10 p.m. ET): The Red Sox have said Pomeranz is suffering from left forearm tightness.
Drew Pomeranz left the game with left forearm tightness and will be re-evaluated tomorrow.
— Nick Cafardo (@nickcafardo) March 2, 2018
Pomeranz doesn’t seem too concerned, though.
Pomeranz: 'Pretty sure this is probably nothing.'
Level of concern 'pretty low.'
Felt tightness warming up at start of 2nd inning.
Tests on forearm tomorrow.— Michael Silverman (@MikeSilvermanBB) March 2, 2018
As reporters pointed out Friday afternoon, Pomeranz dealt with an arm issue last spring, and it’s not entirely unfamiliar territory for the southpaw.
Pomeranz early exits:
Today: Forearm tightness
Last March: Triceps tightness
Last May: Triceps tightness
Last August: Back spasms
Also seems to have left a start from Aug 2015 with A's due to forearm tightness, didn't miss any time.
Been fairly durable despite concerns.— Jason Mastrodonato (@JMastrodonato) March 2, 2018
