Dodgers' Gutierrez forced from game due to autoimmune problem

On Sunday, Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Franklin Gutierrez abruptly exited his team's game against the Chicago Cubs in the first inning with what was initially described by the club as an illness.

After the Dodgers wrapped up a 9-4 victory over the Cubs, MLB.com's Ken Grunick reported Gutierrez left the contest because of the same autoimmune problem that forced him to miss the entire 2014 season.

The 34-year-old Gutierrez has quite an extensive injury history that includes a rare arthritic disease known as ankylosing spondylitis - which affects the spine - along with his autoimmune and gastrointestinal problems.

The 2010 Gold Glove winner has appeared in just 349 games since the beginning of 2011.

He entered Sunday's contest hitting .265/.342/.441 with one home run and three RBIs.