Chicago White Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito departed his Opening Day start against the host Detroit Tigers after four innings on Friday due to left abdominal tightness.
Manager Tony La Russa said after the game that Giolito was still undergoing evaluation.
“When he came back for the fifth, he just felt a little tug in there,” La Russa told reporters. “So he didn’t want to take any chances. He was smart to not go back out there, because who knows what else is going to happen.”
The 27-year-old Giolito gave up just one hit in his scoreless 61-pitch effort. He struck out six and walked two. The White Sox went on to lose to Detroit 5-4 on a walk-off hit by Javy Baez in the bottom of the ninth.
It was the third consecutive Opening Day start for Giolito, an American League All-Star in 2019.
Left-hander Bennett Sousa replaced Giolito at the start of the fifth inning. Sousa retired all three batters he faced in his major league debut.