Pirates' Kuhl takes comebacker off leg, exits

Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Chad Kuhl made an early exit Sunday at Marlins Park, departing in the bottom of the fifth inning after being struck in his right leg by a comebacker off the bat of Dee Gordon.

Kuhl appeared to be in significant pain as he lay on the ground by the pitcher's mound, and though he attempted to remain in the game, he ended up exiting after throwing several warm-up pitches. Trevor Williams came out of the bullpen to replace him.

Kuhl, who took the mound Sunday with a 6.63 ERA over his first four starts, limited the Marlins to two runs - one earned - on seven hits and one walk while striking out four in four-plus innings before exiting.