[bears9]

Left-hander Rich Hill was forced to leave his start Friday at Class AAA Iowa because of back spasms.

Hill, who was demoted two weeks ago after a series of poor starts, left after 2 2/3 innings. Hill, who is 1-2 with a 3.38 ERA at Iowa, was expected to be evaluated further Saturday.

''It just cropped up,'' Cubs pitching coach Larry Rothschild said. ''I'm going to call [Iowa pitching coach] Mike Mason to see what's going on. I don't think they'll know anything until later today.''

Hill hasn't had back problems before.

Rothschild said Hill had been throwing ''OK. You'd like to see him dominate the way he did when he was sent back before. But at any point, you hope to see that come back.''

Hill hit with back spasms :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Cubs