Cubs CF Dexter Fowler leaves game with groin tightness

PITTSBURGH -- Chicago Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler left Wednesday's game in the third inning with right groin tightness.

Fowler tweaked his groin on the first play of the game when he bunted for a single. He ran past the bag at first and then headed back and hurt his ankle.

Fowler said after the Cubs' 4-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates that he didn't think the injury was serious and that he thought he would be able to play Thursday.

"It didn't really bother me running too much. It just started tightening up a little bit," he said. "It was cold out. I didn't want it to tighten up any more."

Fowler was pinch hit for when his turn came up in the third.

Chris Denorfia replaced Fowler in the lineup and in center field.