Astros' Springer pulled from game with lower back stiffness

George Springer was forced from Sunday's game as the Houston Astros announced their star outfielder is suffering from lower back stiffness, according to Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle.

The American League leader in home runs appeared to tweak something in his back on a swing-and-miss on the first pitch in his leadoff plate appearance against Boston Red Sox ace Chris Sale.

Springer would strike out but remain in the game through the top of the fifth inning, punching out another two times before being removed in the bottom of the frame for Tony Kemp.

The two-time All-Star is off to a torrid start to the 2019 campaign, leading the Junior Circuit in runs, homers, RBIs, slugging percentage, OPS, and total bases.