Young sees back specialist, could miss just 1 start

Chris Young has seen a back specialist, and the San Diego Padres' expectation is that his sore back will cost the right-hander only one start.

Young, the NL ERA leader, complained of back tightness after leaving Tuesday night's game against the New York Mets after only five innings, indicating that he felt the problem prevented him from finishing his delivery.

Young was on the 15-day disabled list earlier this month because of a strained muscle in his left side.

Young is 9-4 with a 2.12 ERA in 23 starts. Opponents are hitting just .184 against him. The Padres lead the big leagues in pitching.

If Young is not able to start Sunday in Philadelphia, either Wilfredo Ledezma or minor-leaguer Tim Stauffer is likely to pitch.

Young gave up four runs and five hits against the Mets and was pulled after 64 pitches. The Padres wound up losing 7-6.

Young usually throws his fastball around 90 mph, but he was consistently in the mid-80s at Shea Stadium.

Padres manager Bud Black said he spoke to Young after the game and the righty reported he felt sore. Black did not speak to Young on Wednesday before his early-morning flight to the West Coast.

Information from ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney and The Associated Press was used in this report.

Source: ESPN.com