Blue Jays' Belt removed from game vs. Rangers with lower back muscle spasms

September 11, 2023 - 10:41pm

Toronto Blue Jays' Brandon Belt rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Cincinnati Reds in the second inning of a baseball game in Cincinnati, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023. (Jeff Dean/AP Photo)

Toronto Blue Jays veteran Brandon Belt was removed from Monday's game against the Texas Rangers with lower back muscle spasms, the team announced.

Belt was batting in the No. 4 spot as the team's designated hitter. He was replaced by Spencer Horwitz.

Prior to Monday's game, Belt hadn't played since Sept. 2 — initially due to a back strain, but then because of a stomach virus.

"He felt good, you know, ready to go," said manager John Schneider post-game. "Obviously if he wasn't feeling great we wouldn't have started him, so I think it just locked up on him as the game went on."

Schneider added the team would be checking on Belt "tonight and tomorrow to see how he is."

The 35-year-old is slashing .252/.371/.473 this season.

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