Heyward exits game with left groin tightness
Cards right fielder 3rd player to suffer in-game injury in series
MILWAUKEE -- Having already watched Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright suffer midgame injuries in Milwaukee, the Cardinals lost right fielder Jason Heyward, too, in the third inning of Sunday's series finale.
Heyward seemed to land awkwardly on his left leg while retrieving Gerardo Parra's triple into the right-field corner. After lobbing the ball back toward the infield, Heyward tried to stretch out his leg and pointed to the area behind his knee when the team's assistant athletic trainer reached him.
Manager Mike Matheny came out, too, and had Heyward test his leg jogging on the outfield grass. Though it looked like Heyward lobbied to stay in, Matheny led him back to the dugout. Jon Jay, who had been given the day off, replaced Heyward in right field.
Heyward was later diagnosed with left groin tightness and is considered day to day, the team announced.
The Cardinals will gladly board a flight out of Milwaukee on Sunday evening as this marked the third time in as many days that a Cardinals player has hobbled off the field.