Lind exits after 1st at-bat with back tightness

PHOENIX -- Brewers fans spent two innings of Saturday's 2-0 loss on hug watch after first baseman Adam Lind made an abrupt exit at Chase Field. But there was no trade, just some trouble with Lind's balky back.

Television cameras caught Lind grimacing after a first-inning strikeout, and he left the game in the bottom of the second without an immediate explanation. Two innings later, a team spokesperson reported that Lind was experiencing lower-back tightness, the same ailment that dogged him in recent seasons in Toronto. It's been an issue for several days, Lind said after the game.

"I just didn't like how he was moving around, basically," manager Craig Counsell said. "I don't think he made it worse on anything today, but it just wasn't getting loose enough. We'lll give him [Sunday] off and see where we're at on Monday."

Lind missed some time in Spring Training with back trouble, but was able to start 85 of the Brewers' first 98 games, including one start as the designated hitter.

In two of his final three seasons in Toronto, Lind was limited to fewer than 100 games with back trouble. Lind hit the disabled list with back injuries in 2011, 2012 and 2014.

"It's been bugging me for a few days, and it just got to be too much," Lind said. "Usually, I just play through it and then I miss months. It's nice to have a manager to tell me to sit down tomorrow. Hopefully, I'll be back Monday."

The Brewers acquired Lind from the Blue Jays on Nov. 1 for right-hander Marco Estrada, and he has helped stabilize a position --- first base -- which has bedeviled the Brewers since Prince Fielder departed via free agency following the 2011 season. Lind entered Saturday batting .286 with 16 home runs and 58 RBIs, second on the team to Ryan Braun in both categories.

But with the Brewers entering a rebuilding period, Lind's name has been linked to several clubs including the Cardinals in trade rumors. He is earning $7.5 million this season and has an $8 million option for 2016, with a $500,000 buyout.

"He's been great. [The back] has never really been an issue," Counsell said. "Hopefully we're enough ahead of it this that it will be just tomorrow."