Mets closer Mejia exits with back stiffness

NEW YORK -- Mets closer Jenrry Mejia left Thursday's game in the 11th inning due to back stiffness. There was no immediate word as to the severity of the issue.

Mejia initially came on with one out in the 10th inning, retiring both batters he faced. He returned to the mound and warmed up for the 11th, but trainer Ray Ramirez and manager Terry Collins intercepted him there before the inning began. After a brief conversation, Mejia slowly walked off the mound.

"He went to the mound, threw a couple of pitches, and [pitching coach Dan Warthen] was watching him and was saying, 'He doesn't look OK, something's wrong.' So I went out and his lower back stiffened up on him," Collins said.

The right-hander's career has been riddled with injury issues over the years, from past elbow and shoulder problems to the bunion that bothered him in Spring Training.

Mejia also left a game earlier this year with a blister on one of the fingers of his pitching hand.