Jacob Misiorowski was forced to exit Game 5 of the World Series on Wednesday in the bottom of the sixth inning.
The Milwaukee Brewers' 24-year-old Cy Young candidate threw a first-pitch cutter to Tampa Bay Rays catcher Liam Hicks, exhibited visible discomfort, and was visited on the mound by training staff.
He was brought water and attempted to shake out his right calf as he threw warm-up pitches, but was ultimately walked off the field with a slight limp and was replaced by JoJo Romero.
It was later confirmed that Misiorowski was removed due to a right calf cramp.
Misiorowski threw 5.2 innings of two-hit ball before he was unable to continue, walking one batter and striking out two.
The sophomore phenom also started Game 1 of the Fall Classic, where he pitched five innings of one-run ball, was credited with the win, and set the record for the fastest pitch in World Series history on his first offering of the game — a 103.5 m.p.h. fastball.
Misiorowski is the favourite to win the National League Cy Young award after he led MLB by pitching to a 1.80 ERA with 252 strikeouts in the regular season.
He's come close to matching that lofty standard in October, recording a 1.89 ERA with 16 strikeouts over 19 innings.
His performance has helped lead Milwaukee here, and in a potentially decisive Game 5, he shut down the Rays and put the Brewers on the cusp of their first World Series title.
