Diamondbacks starter Luke Weaver left Sunday's win against the Giants in the sixth inning with what the team termed “right forearm tightness.”
That always sounds ominous for a pitcher, but Weaver told reporters he was just being cautious, and manager Torey Lovullo said the team isn't even sure yet he'll need an MRI.
“Just felt a little tightness in the forearm,” Weaver told reporters after the game (via MLB.com). “I wanted to just really be smart about it. It was a day where it was cold out, the conditions weren’t perfect and kind of the way the ballgame was shaping up, I just wanted to be smart and not do anything stupid.”
Weaver gave up only one earned run and struck out six through five innings against the Giants, but after yielding a single to Buster Posey to start the bottom of the sixth, Weaver could be seen flexing his hand.
Luke Weaver exits early, we really hope it's not serious 😳 pic.twitter.com/XJFW1izbZh
— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) May 26, 2019
Weaver told reporters his mechanics had felt off during the game, and with Arizona ahead, he felt it best to leave.
“A little bit through the game throwing some changeups and sometimes, I think, more than anything, mechanics weren't really feeling great,” Weaver said. “So, sometimes you just put your arm in a spot that’s a little funky. I’m not too concerned. Just feel confident and just making sure that I’m doing the right things, talking to the guys who do this for a living and like I said, just wanted to play it smart. There’s just no need for any heroic acts out there, especially on a day like today.”
Lovullo said Weaver felt "uncomfortable.
“We’re just gathering information,” Lovullo said. “I can tell you he has forearm tightness, and I really can’t give you any more than that. Very unfortunate, he’s throwing the ball extremely well. We talk to our athletes about being open and honest and transparent and sharing useful information, and he did. He just felt like he was a little uncomfortable and at that point in time.”
Acquired in the offseason trade that sent Paul Goldschmidt to the Cardinals, Weaver has been very effective for the D-backs this season, posting a 4-3 mark with a 3.03 ERA and 1.11 WHIP.