LOS ANGELES -- A promising beginning to Rockies left-hander Tyler Anderson's return after missing 3 1/2 weeks with left knee inflammation ended in pain, with a left hamstring cramp during the third inning of Sunday's 12-6 loss to the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. It's unclear whether the cramp was related to the knee injury.
Anderson, making his first Major League start since going on the disabled list May 30, threw two scoreless innings and had a five-run lead going into the third. But after a one-out walk to Chris Taylor, Anderson didn't retire any of the next four batters and two of them -- Kiké Hernandez and Cody Bellinger -- hit two-run homers to cut the difference to 5-4.
With the count 2-2 to John Forsythe, Rockies manager Bud Black and head athletic trainer Keith Dugger visited the mound. Anderson threw several warmup pitches and lobbied to stay in, but was replaced by right-hander Jordan Lyles.
"It was just a little cramping in my hamstring that was limiting my delivery," Anderson said. "As a player, you always want to stay in, but 'Doogie' [Dugger] had his head in the right place."
Asked if the issue was knee-related, Anderson said, "I'm not a doctor." But when asked whether he could make his next start, Anderson said, "Yeah. I mean, I had a cramp in my leg."
Manager Bud Black said he would meet with Dugger and Anderson, and there will be followup exams with those who have more injury-care expertise.

Anderson had to sprint to cover third base on an unusual play to end the second inning, although he said he didn't think it brought on the injury.
Rockies second baseman DJ LeMahieu lost Joc Pederson's popup in the sun in short right field. Pederson sped to second to beat shortstop Pat Valaika's throw to third baseman Nolan Arenado, who covered second. Seeing third unoccupied, Pederson raced away from Arenado and tried to advance. Anderson rushed over to cover, took the flip from Arenado and made the tag. He had to avoid contact with the sliding Pederson.
Anderson, charged with four runs on five hits with two walks and one strikeout, didn't figure in Sunday's decision, and is 3-5 with a 6.11 ERA in 13 games (12 starts) with 15 home runs in 63 1/3 innings. As a rookie last year, he was 5-6 with a 3.54 ERA and 12 homers in 114 1/3 innings in 19 games after debuting July 12.