Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly leaves start against Rangers in the fifth inning with oblique injury

Kelly felt discomfort after throwing a pitch in the 5th; D-backs still take series from Texas

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly left his start against the Texas Rangers in the fifth inning on Wednesday with an oblique injury.

Kelly had been pitching well up to that point, allowing just three hits and one run while striking out four batters. But after throwing a pitch to Rangers leadoff hitter Adolis Garcia in the fifth, Kelly immediately grabbed his side and signaled to the dugout that he was in pain.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo came out to the mound to check on Kelly, and after a brief conversation, the right-hander walked off the field under his own power.

The Diamondbacks have not yet announced the severity of Kelly's injury, but it is certainly a concern for a team that has been hit hard by injuries this season.

If Kelly is forced to miss any significant time, it would be a big blow to the Diamondbacks' rotation. The 33-year-old has been one of the team's most consistent starters this season, with a 3.39 ERA in 15 starts.

The Diamondbacks went on to win Wednesday's game against the Rangers 6-4, taking two out of three games in the series.