Aug 20, 2008 11:02 pm US/Central
Twins Shrink Bullpen, Bring Back Casilla From DL
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) ―
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Alexi Casilla played two games in a rehab assignment with Class A Beloit, going 3-for-4 with a run and an RBI on Tuesday night. He has been on the DL since July 29 with a torn ligament in his right thumb. (File)
MLB
The Minnesota Twins activated second baseman Alexi Casilla from the disabled list after Wednesday's 3-1 victory over the Oakland Athletics, getting their No. 2 hitter back in time for a 14-game road trip.
To make room on the roster, the Twins outrighted reliever Brian Bass to Triple-A Rochester.
Casilla played two games in a rehab assignment with Class A Beloit, going 3-for-4 with a run and an RBI on Tuesday night. He has been on the DL since July 29 with a torn ligament in his right thumb.
"I'm sure he's going to have some soreness," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "Just play him and see what happens."
Nick Punto will move to shortstop, with Adam Everett and Brendan Harris also expected to continue to play there.
Everett was hit on the hand by a foul ball while sitting in the dugout on Monday. Left fielder Delmon Young also has a sore ankle. Everett said he's ready to play and Young was in Wednesday's lineup, but with Casilla also coming off an injury the Twins decided to be cautious and make sure they have enough backups for the beginning of their trip.
"See how it goes and then once we get healthy we'll make a decision and maybe go back," Gardenhire said, "but right now we need the players."
That meant, even though the bullpen has been overworked lately, Bass was expendable. The rookie was 3-4 with a 4.87 ERA and 32 strikeouts over 68 1-3 innings in 44 appearances. Opponents were batting .303 against the right-hander.
Gardenhire also said infielder Matt Tolbert, who had taken over as the regular shortstop until tearing a ligament in thumb in mid-May, will return to the team when rosters can be expanded on Sept. 1. Tolbert is on a rehab assignment with Double-A New Britain.
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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