Extremely short on healthy bodies, the Minnesota Twins have relented and placed utility infielder Juan Castro on the 15-day disabled list. The move frees up a roster spot, which will be filled by recalling second baseman Brent Abernathy from Triple-A Rochester. Castro was lifted for a pinch runner in the tenth inning on Wednesday night visibly in pain from a strained patella tendon in his left knee. In a previous stint with the Twins this year, Abernathy hit .263 with one homer in eight games in June and early July. After a stint on the DL of his own, he was sent back to Rochester to open a roster spot for Scott Baker.

Jacque Jones could still be the next one sent to the disabled list. The Twins are reluctant to place Jones on the DL, as that would mean losing his services for at least 15 days - a span that would include six games against the White Sox. Nevertheless, if Jones fails to show improvement physically, he may be sent to the DL on Sunday so the team can go travel to Chicago with a full squad.

Even a full squad wouldn't mean a healthy squad. Michael Cuddyer is continuing to play through pain, and Shannon Stewart is sore after the hard landing he made after making a diving catch in foul territory to end the sixth inning on Friday night. The injuries are piling up quickly for a team trying to find a way out of a very deep hole and back into the AL Wild Card race.

» Castro placed on disabled list [twinsbaseball.com]

10:59 PM | (0)
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