Rivas set to play Friday
MINNEAPOLIS -- Second baseman Luis Rivas (strained left oblique) was scheduled to report to Triple-A Rochester on Friday to begin his Minor League rehabilitation assignment, but plans have suddenly changed.
In the first inning of Thursday's game, shortstop Juan Castro fouled a ball off his left ankle and was forced out of the game. X-rays were negative, and he is day-to-day.
Injured second baseman Brent Abernathy (right shoulder) was placed on the 15-day disabled list. Instead of going to a rehab assignment in Rochester, Rivas will be activated from the disabled list for Friday's game against the Padres.
"We were going to have to get an infielder from somewhere, and we have one right here that has been out there doing everything," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "Rather than letting him go down and get a rehab, we need him here right now."
Hunter on Interleague Play: Torii Hunter continues to swing a hot bat, but he still hasn't warmed up to the idea of Interleague Play.
"I just hate that," the center fielder said. "You go out there and see a pitcher you've never seen before, know nothing about."
Hunter, who doubled in the first inning of Thursday's game against the Giants, has hit safely in 14 of his last 15 games. Entering Thursday, he was batting .333 with four homers and seven RBIs in his previous eight games -- all against National League opponents.
"Lucky, that's all," Hunter said of his success. "Not knowing the pitchers is tough. I'm getting my hits, but that still doesn't mean I like it."
On the flip side of Interleague matchups, pitchers are equally unfamiliar with hitters. But Hunter doesn't think this offsets the difficulties batters face.
"I think pitchers always have the advantage over hitters," Hunter said. "If they go out there and hit their spots, they're going to get everybody out. It doesn't matter who it is."
Pitchers have found Hunter to be a tough out in the past couple of weeks. Since going hitless in a May 29 loss to Toronto, the center fielder has batted 22-for-55 (.400 avg.) with five home runs and 15 RBIs, and raised his batting average from .237 to .276.
"No particular reason, I just feel better at the plate," Hunter said. "It started during the American League series against Cleveland. I've been feeling good since then."
Briefly: The Twins have signed Alex Burnett, their 12th-round pick from the 2005 First-Year Player Draft. The 6-foot, 190-pound right-handed pitcher will be assigned to the Gulf Coast League. Minnesota has now signed 11 of its 54 picks in this year's Draft, including eight of its top 14 selections.
Right-hander Daylan Childress, who was claimed off waivers from Cincinnati on May 6, was outrighted to Double-A New Britain. The 26-year-old was 0-3 with a 9.36 ERA for Triple-A Rochester and New Britain.
The Twins now have 39 players on their 40-man roster.
On deck: The Twins and Padres will open their weekend series Friday at 7:10 p.m. CT at the Metrodome. Carlos Silva will take the mound for Minnesota against right-hander Tim Stauffer.
Source: http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/
In the first inning of Thursday's game, shortstop Juan Castro fouled a ball off his left ankle and was forced out of the game. X-rays were negative, and he is day-to-day.
Injured second baseman Brent Abernathy (right shoulder) was placed on the 15-day disabled list. Instead of going to a rehab assignment in Rochester, Rivas will be activated from the disabled list for Friday's game against the Padres.
"We were going to have to get an infielder from somewhere, and we have one right here that has been out there doing everything," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "Rather than letting him go down and get a rehab, we need him here right now."
Hunter on Interleague Play: Torii Hunter continues to swing a hot bat, but he still hasn't warmed up to the idea of Interleague Play.
"I just hate that," the center fielder said. "You go out there and see a pitcher you've never seen before, know nothing about."
Hunter, who doubled in the first inning of Thursday's game against the Giants, has hit safely in 14 of his last 15 games. Entering Thursday, he was batting .333 with four homers and seven RBIs in his previous eight games -- all against National League opponents.
"Lucky, that's all," Hunter said of his success. "Not knowing the pitchers is tough. I'm getting my hits, but that still doesn't mean I like it."
On the flip side of Interleague matchups, pitchers are equally unfamiliar with hitters. But Hunter doesn't think this offsets the difficulties batters face.
"I think pitchers always have the advantage over hitters," Hunter said. "If they go out there and hit their spots, they're going to get everybody out. It doesn't matter who it is."
Pitchers have found Hunter to be a tough out in the past couple of weeks. Since going hitless in a May 29 loss to Toronto, the center fielder has batted 22-for-55 (.400 avg.) with five home runs and 15 RBIs, and raised his batting average from .237 to .276.
"No particular reason, I just feel better at the plate," Hunter said. "It started during the American League series against Cleveland. I've been feeling good since then."
Briefly: The Twins have signed Alex Burnett, their 12th-round pick from the 2005 First-Year Player Draft. The 6-foot, 190-pound right-handed pitcher will be assigned to the Gulf Coast League. Minnesota has now signed 11 of its 54 picks in this year's Draft, including eight of its top 14 selections.
Right-hander Daylan Childress, who was claimed off waivers from Cincinnati on May 6, was outrighted to Double-A New Britain. The 26-year-old was 0-3 with a 9.36 ERA for Triple-A Rochester and New Britain.
The Twins now have 39 players on their 40-man roster.
On deck: The Twins and Padres will open their weekend series Friday at 7:10 p.m. CT at the Metrodome. Carlos Silva will take the mound for Minnesota against right-hander Tim Stauffer.
Source: http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/
