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By Pete Kerzel / Special to MLB.com
07/25/10 7:36 PM ET
BALTIMORE -- Unable to swing left-handed after hurting himself Friday night, Twins second baseman Orlando Hudson is heading to the disabled list for the second time this season.The Twins announced after Sunday's 10-4 victory over Baltimore that they had placed Hudson on the 15-day disabled list. Catcher Jose Morales will be recalled from Triple-A Rochester on Monday to take Hudson's roster spot.
"[Hudson] can hit right-handed, but he can't hit left-handed," said Twins manager Ron Gardenhire. "That's a pretty awkward position -- only play him against left-handers and if they bring in a right-hander [Hudson can't swing the bat]."
Gardenhire said before Sunday's game that he would give the injured second baseman, who sustained a strained right oblique muscle during a third-inning swing Friday night, a chance to prove he was healthy enough to avoid his second trip to the disabled list this season.
But treatment, some agility drills and a round of hitting at the indoor cages at Camden Yards weren't persuasive enough for Gardenhire. Hudson, who tried to convince the Twins' training staff that he had experienced only a cramp Friday night, said he would address the injury Monday when the team begins a three-game series in Kansas City.
Before Sunday's game, Hudson and Gardenhire spoke for about five minutes in the doorway of the manager's office.
"It feels good," Hudson said when asked for a progress report before Sunday's game.
Hudson, who got Saturday night off, told Gardenhire he felt good enough to be used as a pinch runner on Saturday. But the offer wasn't enough to sway Gardenhire, who remained adamant that he can't wait out a slow-to-heal injury as he did after Hudson's May 30 collision with teammate Denard Span left the second baseman with a sprained left wrist. After that injury, and Hudson's insistence that he was making progress, the Twins finally sent him to the DL June 8 after playing shorthanded on the bench for more than a week.
"I'm not going to wait five, six days," Gardenhire said before Sunday's game. "I told him that. I can't, there's no way I can do that."
"Either we'll say he's ready to go here in a day, or if he's going to miss the Kansas City series, he's going to go on the DL," Gardenhire added. "I don't want three or four more days [of waiting]. I'm not going to do that. He has to be able to play."
Gardenhire also expressed concern that Hudson might try to play through the injury instead of letting it heal and reinjure himself.
Morales, who was hitting .280 with two homers and 24 RBIs in 63 games for the Red Wings after coming off the Major League disabled list May 13 following offseason surgery on his right wrist. In 54 games with the Twins last year, Morales batted .311 and drove in seven runs.
Gardenhire said the 27-year-old Morales was chosen over infielder Trevor Plouffe to replace Hudson on the 25-man roster because he wanted a third catcher available.
"[Morales] feels good, he's been hitting the baseball and he's doing a good job," Gardenhire said. "This gives me a little more protection with Joe [Mauer].
Twins shuffle lineup for finale
BALTIMORE -- The Twins lineup for Sunday's finale of a four-game series at Camden Yards had a decidedly different look, and was more notable for who was missing than who was playing.
Center fielder Denard Span, catcher Joe Mauer, shortstop J.J. Hardy and injured second baseman Orlando Hudson were not in the starting lineup. Instead, Jason Repko took over in center and hit leadoff, Alexi Casilla got his second straight start in place of Hudson, Nick Punto started at short with Danny Valencia taking Punto's normal place at third base, and Drew Butera caught the day game after a night game.
"Span went home sick last night," manager Ron Gardenhire explained. "He had a stomach virus. ... [He was] up all night. I came in with Joe this morning and Joe ... is a little beat up," Span's sick, Jo-Jo's a little roasted from [catching in 99-degree heat] last night and Hardy said that's the most he's ever sweated during a game. I'm worried about [Hardy] being dehydrated, so we'll give him a break."
The lineup shuffling landed hot-hitting Delmon Young a promotion to the third spot in the lineup, a spot he'd occupied only three times previously this season. Young is hitting .429 (33-for-77) in July. Young doesn't want to speak about his hot streak and that's fine with his manager.
"Just leave it alone," Gardenhire said. "No jinxes. It's like throwing a no-hitter -- [you don't] start asking questions about a no-hitter, talking about jinxes. I'm not asking about it. Just keep playing."
Valencia made his second consecutive start at third after matching his season high with three hits Saturday night. Gardenhire has been impressed with improvements in Valencia's footwork and movement at third base. The rookie is hitting .329 in 26 games since being recalled from Triple-A Rochester on June 3.
"He's into his role," Gardenhire said. "He realizes that even if you're sitting on the bench in the big leagues, it's still better than playing in Triple-A baseball. He's learning from the bench -- he's talking with pitchers, he's taking with hitters and he's learning. His swing has gotten better and better. His balance has gotten better and better.
Pete Kerzel is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
