Red Sox pitcher John Lackey leaves first start with apparent arm injury

After missing all of last season following Tommy John surgery, Boston Red Sox pitcher John Lackey lost nearly 20 pounds in the offseason and appeared to be regaining his old form.

But after the 76th pitch of his first start of 2013, Lackey appeared to injure his arm and was forced to leave the game, according to several reporters.

The right-hander had pitched 4.1 innings of Boston's game against the Toronto Blue Jays, allowing two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out eight.

The pitch came during an at-bat against Jose Reyes, after which Lackey held his arm in pain, according to multiple reporters, including The Boston Globe's Peter Abraham.

https://twitter.com/PeteAbe/status/320605111305007104

https://twitter.com/PeteAbe/status/320606673985224704

Lackey is attempting to rebound from a 2012 season that ended as one of the worst pitching years in MLB history, when he posted a 6.41 ERA and allowed opposing batters to hit .308.