Rookie center back Donovan Pines has earned some quality minutes in recent weeks with D.C. United, starting and playing 90 minutes in four of the team's last five games. But now that run has come to an end after Pines suffered an MCL sprain in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Columbus Crew.

The injury, which was confirmed via an MRI, should keep Pines out for at least a couple of weeks, according to head coach Ben Olsen.

"He got his MRI, and it looks like it's going to be a few weeks with a MCL," Olsen told reporters on Tuesday, noting that the injury was a Grade 2 MCL sprain. "That's a few weeks, up to a month."

Pines made his debut last month on the road against the Colorado Rapids when Olsen opted to use three center backs. Pines performed well and even picked up an assist on Luciano Acosta's goal during the win. The next week, Olsen went back to his preferred 4-2-3-1 system, leaving Pines on the bench for during the 2-0 loss to New York City FC.

Since then, however, Olsen has used three center backs in the last three games, giving Pines an opportunity to shine. The former Maryland Terrapin has shown well against Gyasi Zardes twice and Angelo Rodriguez once with United picking up three wins in Pines' four games.

"I'm disappointed for him. He was in a good rhythm, each game he was getting a little bit better," added Olsen. "He was understanding his positioning. It was nice to see him grow."

Pines was called upon in Denver with outside backs Joseph Mora, Leonardo Jara, and Chris McCann all out injured. Jara and McCann have returned from injury, and United also added left back Marquinhos Pedroso last week, which should mean that Olsen' returns to a four-man back line this weekend at home against Sporting Kansas City.