The Twins believe pitcher Jake Odorizzi avoided serious injury after he was hit by a line-drive during Friday's 7-2 loss at Kansas City.
The Royals' Alex Gordon drilled Odorizzi with a liner in the ribs in the fourth inning, and the right-hander who began his career in the Kansas City organization went to the ground immediately.
It took several minutes before Odorizzi could walk gingerly to the dugout. X-rays taken at the ballpark were negative, and the Twins called his injury a bruised right abdomen.
“That’s a frightening moment. You never want to see anything like that on a field or anywhere else,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. “Jake’s abdomen took the brunt of it. He’s OK. He’s pretty sore, obviously. He’s got a pretty good mark, visible from across the room. He was able to avoid serious injury, which is really all we’re caring about at this point.”
Xrays revealed no major damage.
Injuries are starting to mount for the Twins as they near the halfway point of the pandemic-shortened 60-game schedule.
Zach Littell left Friday's game with right elbow inflammation after recording one out.
This comes after the Twins placed Byron Buxton and Mitch Garver on the ten-day injured list.
Buxton is bothered by left shoulder inflammation, while Garver was diagnosed with a right intercostal strain.
Luis Arraez and Josh Donaldson also missed Friday's game with soreness, with only Arraez expected to play during the weekend series at Kansas City.