Athletics' Cotton will undergo MRI in Oakland after elbow soreness

Jharel Cotton's excellent spring training has come to a sudden halt.

After leaving his start on Monday due to elbow soreness, the Oakland Athletics have sent the right-hander back to the Bay Area to undergo an MRI, according to Jane Lee of MLB.com.

As a result, manager Bob Melvin said that Cotton will miss his next spring start.

Cotton was in the midst of a solid Cactus League campaign before experiencing the elbow woes, putting up a 3.75 ERA while striking out 16 to just six walks in 12 innings pitched. He left Monday's game with the elbow issue despite having tossed four no-hit innings, and even commented afterwards that he was feeling good about his progress and his chances at winning a spot in the rotation.

"I had a good rhythm. That's been my focus (all spring)," Cotton told Martin Gallegos of the Mercury News. "Having a good tempo to keep the guys on their toes out there and not having them wait. Today I think I did that."

The 26-year-old, acquired by Oakland at the 2016 trade deadline for Josh Reddick, posted a 5.58 ERA, 105 strikeouts, and 53 walks in 24 big-league starts last season.