Twins second baseman Alexi Casilla hit the disabled list yesterday with a Grade 1 strain in his right hamstring. Minnesota head trainer Rick McWane anticipates that the injury will cause Casilla to miss 2 to 3 weeks. In a corresponding roster move, infielder Luke Hughes was recalled to replace Casilla.
Casilla sustained the leg injury Wednesday night in the 9th inning of the Twins contest against the Rangers. Casilla drove a pitch off of the right field wall for what should have been an easy double, but the 27 year old pulled up as he approached second. After hobbling to the bag, Casilla was examined by McWane and was forced to leave the game.
The injuries just continue to pile up for the Twins as they try to keep pace in a tight AL Central.
"“He’s our second-hole hitter and was swinging great and playing great defense,” Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. “He’s doing all the things you’d like to see, and his head has been in the game. And then all of a sudden this happens. Our depth in the middle infield isn’t the greatest, so you can’t afford too many injuries like that. Some people will have to step up.”"
As Gardenhire pointed out, Casilla had been putting up some solid numbers prior to his injury. He had reached base safely in 8 consecutive games, while collecting 10 hits and 4 walks over that span. On the year the second baseman has managed to hit at a clip of .259/.322/.369 with 27 extra base hits, 52 runs scored and 15 stolen bases.
Minnesota will go with a combination of Hughes, Matt Tolbert and Trevor Plouffe to fill in at second for Casilla.
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