D-backs pitcher Luke Weaver exits game with right shoulder discomfort

PHOENIX — After cruising through four innings of what was a stellar start at Chase Field, Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Luke Weaver left Sunday’s game against the Washington Nationals.

He had right shoulder discomfort, the team announced during the top of the eighth inning.

Catcher Stephen Vogt could be seen consoling Weaver in the dugout before he exited to the clubhouse with his bag.

In his three starts at home entering the game, Weaver was 2-0 with a 1.57 ERA. Two of those starts were shutouts.

Weaver was looking dominant yet again in his fourth home start, with his only real trouble coming in the form of a bases-loaded jam in the third inning.

He retired the hitters in order in three of his four innings pitched. Overall, Weaver allowed one hit and no runs while walking two batters and striking out three.

Weaver left the game after throwing just 68 pitches.

After the game, Weaver said:

“I made a decision personally where that inning just didn’t seem to line up mechanically in the way my arm was feeling.

“In that last inning, it felt like the velo dropped a tick, and it wasn’t anything as far as pain or any of that such a thing. But clearly just synching up the body and being able to throw with conviction and throw with velo.”

“Like I said, I feel good now. I think it was just a precautionary, the way our team has been hurting a little bit. I wanted to make sure I wasn’t a part of that and I made the right decision.”

The D-backs are already without starting pitchers Zac Gallen and Taylor Widener, and they currently have 10 players from the big-league club on the injured list.

Weaver is 2-3 in seven starts this season with 5.00 ERA, a 1.25 WHIP, and a .248 opponent batting average.

Arizona couldn’t put together any offense and lost 3-0. All three Nationals runs were scored in the eighth inning off relief pitcher Stefan Crichton.

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