Rays' Hellickson exits early vs. Tigers

Jul 1, 2012 - 12:13 AM St. Petersburg, FL (Sports Network) - Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Jeremy Hellickson was removed from Saturday's game against the Detroit Tigers in the third inning with an apparent injury to his right leg.

With the bases loaded and one out in the frame, Tigers first baseman Prince Fielder smoked a line drive off the right shin of Hellickson. Fielder was thrown out at first on the play and Austin Jackson was able to score.

Hellickson threw a few warmup pitches after the play, but left the field under his own power. Hellickson came into the game with a 4-3 record and a 3.44 earned run average in 21 starts.

J.P. Howell took over on the mound.