Chicago Cubs left-hander Jon Lester left Monday’s start in the top of the third inning due to left hamstring tightness, the team announced.
Lester apparently suffered the injury while running the bases in the bottom of the second inning of Chicago’s home opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Lester hit a two-out RBI double against right-hander Jameson Taillon and slid into the bag. Later in the inning, Lester scored on Ben Zobrist’s two-run single and again slid. This time, he got up slowly before heading to the dugout.
Lester took the mound for the third inning and allowed a leadoff single to Steven Brault. He fell behind 2-0 to Adam Frazier and that prompted manager Joe Maddon and athletic trainer P.J. Mainville to visit the mound.
The 35-year-old remained in the game and allowed a single to Frazier before being pulled with the Cubs leading 6-0.
Lester struck out four in two-plus innings, giving up three hits and one walk.