Zimmermann exits with groin strain

Detroit Tigers right-hander Jordan Zimmermann made an abrupt exit from Sunday's series finale against the Tampa Bay Rays, departing with two outs in the sixth inning after suffering a right groin strain, the team announced.

Zimmermann, who had retired 12 batters in a row before allowing an infield single to Evan Longoria with two outs in the sixth, grimaced after delivering a pitch to Steve Pearce in the following at-bat and immediately motioned to his groin, bringing Tigers manager Brad Ausmus and head athletic trainer Kevin Rand out of the dugout. After a quick discussion, Zimmermann was lifted for Drew VerHagen.

After the game, it was announced the 29-year-old was sent for an MRI to determine the severity of his injury. With an off-day on Thursday, Detroit can skip Zimmermann's next turn in the rotation if need be before deciding what to do next, pending the results of the test.

Albeit his shortest outing of the season, the 29-year-old still managed a pretty decent outing at Comerica Park, allowing just two runs on five hits while fanning three over 5 2/3 innings, departing in the sixth with a 6-2 lead.

Through his first nine outings with Detroit, the two-time All-Star owns a 2.52 ERA with a 1.14 WHIP, managing a 3.64 strikeout-to-walk ratio while allowing six home runs in 60 2/3 innings (0.89 per nine).