Detroit Tigers left-hander Matthew Boyd realized something was wrong with his body and signaled to manager AJ Hinch in the dugout.
Moments later, Boyd walked off the mound and into the clubhouse with athletic trainer Doug Teter. He was removed from Monday’s game against the Kansas City Royals in the third inning with left arm discomfort. The Tigers, with a 4-0 lead, turned to righty reliever Joe Jimenez.
Boyd, who is undergoing further evaluation, threw 41 pitches, 29 for strikes. He pitched 2⅓ scoreless innings, allowing five hits — all singles — without issuing a walk. He struck out two batters.
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This is the second time this season Boyd has left his start earlier than expected.
He walked off the mound in the second inning April 29 against the Chicago White Sox after throwing 34 pitches. He was diagnosed with left knee tendinitis and missed his next start but avoided a trip to the injured list.
Entering Monday, Boyd had a 3.56 ERA, 19 walks and 54 strikeouts over 68⅓ innings in 12 starts. He was initially scheduled to pitch Sunday’s series finale against the White Sox, but Hinch went with a bullpen-only game to give Boyd — along with others in the starting rotation — an extra day to rest.
The Tigers are already without right-handed starter Spencer Turnbull, who leads the rotation with a 2.88 ERA in nine starts. He is on the 10-day injured list with a right forearm strain and recently traveled to Lakeland, Florida, to start his rehabilitation.
Evan Petzold is a sports reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold. Read more on the Detroit Tigers and sign up for our Tigers newsletter.