CINCINNATI — The Cubs problems on the road went from bad to worse in less than two innings Friday night when the rotation’s hottest pitcher, Cole Hamels, left the mound after throwing a warmup pitch in the second inning after experience pain or discomfort in his left side.
The severity of the injury was not immediately clear, but the left-hander knew it immediately. He did not wait for a trainer before departing.
Hamels, the Cubs lone pitching candidate for the All-Star game, had a 1.22 ERA in six starts this month, even after allowing a first inning run Friday.
He gave up two singles and a walk in that first inning to load the bases before a fielder’s choice grounder drove in the run.
The Cubs had lost four consecutive road series as they opened a three-city trip Friday that will take them to the All-Star break. Their 15-21 road record entering Friday was the worst in the majors among teams that were at .500 or better overall.
Starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks, who throws a bullpen session Saturday before a possible game assignment, already is on the injured list because of shoulder inflammation. Starter Jon Lester also spent time on the IL in April because of a hamstring injury.
