Keone Kela, the Pirates' closer and best trade chip for the upcoming trade deadline, exited early with forearm tightness in the ninth inning of Friday night's 7-2 win over the Brewers.
Kela was fight pitches into his outing before being visited by manager Derek Shelton and head athletic trainer Brian Housand. After a short conversation, Shelton took the ball and Kela exited.
Shelton admitted postgame that he was "erring way on the side of safety" when pulling Kela.
"We've lost five relievers [to injuries this season]," Shelton said. "He's so important to us and he's just coming back to pitch.