Furcal's return doesn't last long, lifted in third

JUPITER, Fla. -- Marlins second baseman Rafael Furcal was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the third inning on Saturday afternoon against the Nationals after feeling some tightness in his left hamstring.

Furcal was in the lineup for the first time since Monday, when he strained his left hamstring at the Mets in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

"It's just the same," Furcal said. "It's nothing crazy."

The 36-year-old tested his legs on Saturday afternoon. He singled in his first at-bat, and he was moving around fine. In the third inning, he sprinted to first on a fielder's-choice ground ball. He was able to stay out of the double play. As a precaution, he was removed for a pinch-runner and walked off the field with trainer Sean Cunningham.

"He felt a little something in that hamstring, so we'll take a look at him," bench coach Rob Leary said. "The training staff and the doctors will look at him and see what's up. He ended up motioning that something wasn't quite right."

The Marlins are hopeful that injury won't linger. Furcal was not scheduled to go to Fort Myers on Sunday to face the Twins.

"When I did the sprint, I didn't want to make it worse," Furcal said.

If Furcal isn't ready, Derek Dietrich and Donovan Solano are candidates to play second base. Ed Lucas is in the mix for a utility spot, but he's treating a left hamstring strain.