MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins placed center fielder Aaron Hicks on the seven-day disabled list Friday with concussion-like symptoms, and right-hander Mike Pelfrey was headed for the 15-day DL after reporting soreness in his left groin.
The move with Hicks was made before the game against Baltimore. Left-hander Logan Darnell was recalled from Triple-A Rochester to fill the roster spot as depth for a bullpen used often on Thursday during a doubleheader that included a 12-inning night game.
Manager Ron Gardenhire announced Pelfrey, who has posted a 7.99 ERA over five starts, will be replaced in the rotation by right-hander Sam Deduno. Pelfrey, whose next turn was to come on Tuesday, told the team when he arrived at the ballpark on Friday of his injury.
He tweaked it yesterday. Didn’t want to say anything. Didn’t want to make excuses. But he came in today sore, Gardenhire said.
The Twins will use the opportunity to send Pelfrey on a rehabilitation assignment once he’s healthy enough to pitch again, with the hope of him being able to get back in a groove in the minor leagues.
Pelfrey, who came back from Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery that ended his 2012 season with the New York Mets after three starts, finished 5-13 with a 5.19 ERA in his debut last year with the Twins. The first month of 2014 brought more of the same struggles, and Pelfrey’s fastball velocity has dropped from 92.3 mph to 90.8 mph, according to fangraph.com. But assistant general manager Rob Antony said there are no plans for any medical examinations.
He doesn’t seem to think there’s anything wrong with his arm, Antony said.
Deduno had a 3.83 ERA in 18 starts for the Twins last season. This year, he has a 2.89 ERA in 18 2-3 innings, all in relief. Darnell was drafted by the Twins in the sixth round in 2010. In four starts for Rochester, he posted a 1.69 ERA in 21 1-3 innings with 21 strikeouts and seven walks.
Hicks left Thursday’s second game against the Los Angeles Dodgers after banging his head against the wall while reaching for Scott Van Slyke’s deep fly ball in the sixth inning. Sam Fuld will play center field in place of Hicks.
Antony said shortstop Danny Santana will be recalled from Triple-A Rochester to take Pelfrey’s roster spot. Santana was scheduled to arrive in time for Saturday’s game against the Orioles. He was hitting .268 with four steals in 24 games for Rochester.