ST. LOUIS -- On the same day it was announced Brewers pitcher Yovani Gallardo had been selected to his first All-Star Game, the Milwaukee ace pulled up lame in the third inning of Sunday's 7-1 loss to the Cardinals.

Gallardo was removed from the game clutching his left side after throwing a curveball. The right-hander was diagnosed with a left oblique strain and will be evaluated in Milwaukee on Monday. Gallardo said he had never experienced an injury like this before. He had allowed six runs -- one earned -- on five hits before departing.

"It is a little tight, some lower back pain," Gallardo said. "I just threw that one pitch and it just kind of tightened up on me. It feels the same now, so we will see."

Gallardo has been the one constant in a struggling rotation this year. Gallardo has posted a 2.58 ERA, a 1.26 WHIP and struck out 122 batters over 111 2/3 innings.

It was an up-and-down day emotionally for Gallardo, who was excited about the prospect of his first Major League All-Star Game but nervous the injury could cost him a chance to pitch in the event.

"It is just that kind of day for me," Gallardo said. "I really don't know. I don't know how to explain it. Pretty excited about the All-Star Game, but then I have to come out of the game. Just a little bit of both, but hopefully it is nothing serious."

With Gallardo possibly missing his next start, manager Ken Macha will be given a few more days to organize his rotation.

Left-handers Chris Narveson and Manny Parra will each get at least one more turn in the regular rotation, and Doug Davis will take the mound Friday against the Pirates.

"All that lost sleep I got over who was going to pitch and who wasn't going to pitch -- wasted energy," Macha said.

"Never make any moves until you have to do them."