CLEVELAND -- Michael Lorenzen exited Tuesday’s start against the Guardians with a left hamstring strain, the Royals announced, forcing Kansas City into an impromptu bullpen game during the third game of this four-game, three-day series at Progressive Field.

Pitching with a 2-0 lead thanks to Paul DeJong’s two-run homer in the top of the second inning, Lorenzen sprinted over to cover first base on a force out in the bottom of the frame. While stretching out for the ball, it looked as if Lorenzen’s left leg hyper-extended as he tried to complete a double play.

Lorenzen grimaced as he fell to the ground, and after returning to the mound, catcher Salvador Perez called out Royals manager Matt Quatraro and assistant athletic trainer Chris DeLucia to check on the right-hander.

After a few warmup pitches in front of them, Lorenzen stayed in the game and struck out Lane Thomas. But he threw one pitch to Bo Naylor -- an inside cutter for a ball -- and looked in pain, hopping up and down and slightly motioning to the dugout. Perez called the trainer out again, and Lorenzen left the game a few moments later.

The Royals turned to reliever Carlos Hernández and will piece together the rest of Tuesday’s game -- which was delayed by rain in the fifth inning -- with their bullpen following 18 innings of Monday’s doubleheader.

Depending on what Lorenzen’s diagnosis and severity is, the Royals might be tapping into their depth during the most important part of the season. Royals starters have avoided serious injury for the most part this year, but they’re in the thick of a division race and have 29 games to go after Tuesday’s game.

Lorenzen has proved to be a valuable Trade Deadline pickup for the Royals and gave their rotation -- their strength this season -- a big boost as they got into the later part of the year. The veteran righty has posted a 1.85 ERA in five starts with Kansas City.