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Angels ace Jered Weaver exits game early with lower-back tightness

Angels starter Jered Weaver delivers a pitch during the first inning of Monday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Weaver left the game at the start of the third inning with lower-back tightness.
(Chris Carlson / Associated Press)
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Angels ace Jered Weaver left Monday night’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays after two innings because of lower-back tightness, but the severity of the injury was not immediately known.

The right-hander needed only 24 pitches to retire the first six batters he faced in Angel Stadium, including an 89-mph fastball that struck out Toronto slugger Jose Bautista to start the second inning.

But Weaver, who is 9-6 with a 3.50 earned-run average in 19 starts this season, tweaked his lower back while warming up before the third inning.

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Manager Mike Scioscia and athletic trainer Adam Nevala came to the mound, and Weaver was pulled almost immediately in favor of right-hander Matt Shoemaker, who threw 102 pitches against the Houston Astros on Thursday night.

Scioscia said before the game that Shoemaker would start Thursday night at Texas, a decision that meant left-hander Hector Santiago would return to the bullpen.

But with Shoemaker thrust into an emergency appearance Monday night, Santiago, who is 0-7 with a 4.50 ERA, will likely start against the Rangers on Thursday night and remain in the rotation until Weaver returns.

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