Pirates Wandy Rodriguez Points To Left Arm, Exits In First Inning

Pirates pitcher Wandy Rodriguez Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Pittsburgh Pirates southpaw Wandy Rodriguez was on a roll in his last five starts,  he was  4-1 with a 2.90 ERA.  He didn’t make it out of the first inning today against the Atlanta Braves.

As you know, the Pittsburgh Pirates have been getting solid starting pitching in 2013. Rodriguez was one of the reasons why.  Rodriguez exited todays game in the first inning after pointing at his left arm as he spoke to a member of the Bucs training staff and Clint Hurdle.

UPDATE  The Pirates stated Wandy had tightness in his left forearm.

Rodriguez was involved in a semi-collision on an infield bunt by Andrelton Simmons, but stayed on after talking briefly with teammates around the mound.  The southpaw then surrendered a soft single to Jason Heyward .

Wandy gave up two hits, a run and hit Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman with his 14th pitch of the game.  After hit hit Freeman, his day was done.

Rodriguez came into the game with a 6-3 record and a 3.47 ERA having pitched well against the Braves his last time out in April.  On April 19, he gave up just one hit over seven as the Bucs shutout Atlanta 6-0 at PNC Park.

In his last start, the lefty was solid against the Reds on Friday night.   The Reds were held to two runs in seven innings.

The injury coming after getting just one out was especially frustrating as Rodriguez was very good against the Braves.  In his last nine against Atlanta, he had put up a sparkler of an ERA at 1.58 ERA.

We will update as we hear anything more specific from the Bucs medical team.  Obviously, losing Wandy for any period of time is a big blow to the Buccos.