Angels pitcher Jered Weaver grabs his left elbow after falling awkwardly to avoid a line drive in the sixth inning Sunday night. (Photo by Brandon Wade/Getty Images)

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Los Angeles Angels starter Jered Weaver left his start at Texas with a strained left elbow after diving to get out of the way of a line drive Sunday night.

Weaver avoided being hit by the ball, but landed awkwardly on his left arm while going down. The pitcher immediately grabbed his left arm near his elbow and was clearly in some discomfort.X-rays were negative.

The play happened when Rangers first baseman Mitch Moreland led off the bottom of the sixth with a liner back through the middle right over Weaver’s head.

Manager Mike Scioscia and a trainer immediately came to the mound, and Weaver almost as quickly was walking off the field.

Mark Lowe replaced Weaver on the mound. He surrendered a walk and a two-run home run to Ian Kinsler in the Angels’ 7-3 loss to Texas.

“I didn’t feel anything pop or crack, so that’s a good sign,” Weaver told reporters after the game. “It’s like when you jam your thumb pretty bad. That’s what I’m feeling in my elbow.”