Cody Bolton Leaves Game with Back Discomfort
Houston Astros pitcher Cody Bolton was forced to leave Sunday’s game against the Seattle Mariners in the second inning due to mid-back stiffness. The final defeat ended with a score of 6-1 in favor of the Mariners. In his first opening in the Major Leagues last Monday, Bolton was hit in the back by a line drive traveling at 102.5 mph, but still managed to pitch for 4⅔ innings in a 9-7 loss. In the second inning on Sunday, Bolton (0-1) walked the first three batters. Astros manager Joe Espada and a trainer went to the mound.Bolton explained that he tried to keep playing despite the injury, which he began to feel intensely in the middle of the second inning. He added that his back is improving compared to last week, but that it tightened up too much.“It was in the area where he was hit by the line,” Espada commented. “It just tightened up.”
Joe Espada, Astros Manager
“I really wanted to pitch more innings and help the bullpen,” Bolton said. “It’s unfortunate.”
Cody Bolton, Astros PitcherHouston has suffered the loss of three starting pitchers due to injuries during their 10-game road trip, in which the Astros have had a 1-8 record before the final game of the series against the Mariners on Monday. Tatsuya Imai returned to Houston after his third start to be examined for right arm fatigue, and right-handed pitcher Cristian Javier was placed on the injured list Friday due to a right shoulder strain. Hunter Brown, whom Bolton replaced in the rotation, was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder strain on April 5. The Astros, who are in last place, were also without their All-Star shortstop, Jeremy Pena, who left Saturday night’s game due to a right knee injury.
