SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Rockies young right-hander Jon Gray, considered the future anchor of the rotation, abruptly left Tuesday’s Cactus League game in the first inning with what the Rockies are calling an abdominal strain.
Gray underwent an MRI Tuesday afternoon to determine the extent of the injury. The club is still awaiting results of the test.
“He felt something,” manager Walt Weiss said following the Rockies’ 6-5 victory over the Brewers. “We don’t know the extent of it. … We are always going to use caution in a situation like that.”
Gray had given up a double and a walk in the first inning when he fielded a come-backer to the mound. He wheeled to make a throw to second base to begin a double play, but the ball sailed high into center field for an error.
Weiss, assistant trainer Scott Gehert and pitching coach Steve Steve Foster then met with Gray on the mound. After a brief consultation, Gray left for the clubhouse, walking slowly.
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Gray appeared to be fine before attempting the double play, with his fastball reaching 97 mph. Weiss, however, said he didn’t think the injury occurred on Gray’s throw to second.
“I’m not sure when it happened,” Weiss said. “He (told us) he was feeling it on certain pitches. When you hear that, you just take him out.”
Weiss was relieved, however, to hear that Gray’s injury had nothing to do with his elbow or shoulder.
“You could see a lot worse,” Weiss said. “But, of course, any time you are dealing with an injury it’s not good. But he could be dealing with a lot worse.”
Gray, 24, was the third overall pick in the 2013 draft. He made his major league debut late last season, finishing 0-2 with a 5.53 ERA in nine starts.
Patrick Saunders: psaunders@denverpost.com or @psaundersdp
