Yankees starter Nathan Eovaldi exits in 1st due to elbow discomfort

BOSTON -- New York Yankees starter Nathan Eovaldi was forced to leave Wednesday's game against the Boston Red Sox after just one inning because of right elbow discomfort, the team announced. Eovaldi is heading to New York for further tests.

It is an ominous sign for Eovaldi, who missed the final month of last season because of elbow inflammation. Eovaldi had Tommy John surgery in high school.

Eovaldi, 26, has struggled all season and at one point was yanked from the team's rotation. He entered Wednesday with a 9-8 record and a 4.80 ERA. He is eligible for free agency following the 2017 season.

In 2015, his first year with the Yankees, Eovaldi was 14-3 with a 4.20 ERA.

The Yankees are Eovaldi's third team in six seasons. He has twice been traded: The Los Angeles Dodgers sent him to the Marlins in the 2012 Hanley Ramirez trade, and the Marlins shipped him to the Bronx in a deal completed before the 2015 season.

New York could replace Eovaldi in the rotation with either Chad Green or Luis Severino, who have both struggled in the majors this season. Severino was sent down before Wednesday's game after being shelled Tuesday.