News
Perkins lands on DL with tendinitis
MRI exam on Tuesday reveals no structural damage
By Tyler Mason / MLB.com
08/12/09 12:59 AM ET
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins placed left-handed pitcher Glen Perkins on the disabled list following Tuesday's game. Minnesota will call up a pitcher from Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday. Perkins had an MRI exam on his left shoulder Tuesday morning, and team doctors didn't find any major issues. He was re-examined by orthopedic physician Dr. Dan Buss Tuesday evening, and shoulder tendinitis was cited as the reason for Perkins' placement on the DL. "The MRI came back, and there's not much there. But he's still got the soreness," Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire said. The struggling Perkins -- who has posted a 6-7 record and a 5.89 ERA in 17 starts this season -- was moved to the bullpen late last week following the addition of starter Carl Pavano. And after making a relief appearance in Saturday's 11-0 win over Detroit, Perkins said he had trouble getting loose and requested to have the MRI done when the Twins returned to Minneapolis after the road trip. "They wanted to compare it to one of my other ones that I got a couple years ago, and he said it was similar," Perkins said of the MRI before Tuesday's game. "Nothing major as far as I know. Which, obviously, that's what I was looking for. ... Hopefully, whatever it is that's bothering me, we can get that to go away." Gardenhire said after Tuesday's series opener against the Royals that a pitcher will be brought up to help the Twins' overworked bullpen. Minnesota used four relievers in Tuesday's 14-6 loss after starter Nick Blackburn lasted just 1 2/3 innings. "Obviously we used our bullpen. We used pretty much everybody tonight," Gardenhire said. "We need a pitcher that can stretch out a little bit." With Pavano's addition to the roster, Minnesota has had to juggle its starting rotation. The Twins chose to move Perkins to the bullpen while keeping Francisco Liriano in the rotation. Liriano has also had recent injury concerns -- specifically, inflammation in his left arm -- as well as family issues, but he'll take the mound Wednesday for Minnesota against Kansas City. "He's fine. Says he feels great," said Gardenhire, who added that Liriano threw a bullpen session while the Twins were on the road. Gardenhire also said that Pavano will pitch the series finale against the Royals on Thursday, meaning Scott Baker will go on Friday and rookie Anthony Swarzak will start Saturday vs. Cleveland. Pavano made his Twins debut Saturday, but Minnesota's off-day on Monday means he'll have had the regular amount of rest between starts. "Remember, Saturday he pitched and Sunday he took off to go get his family in order and everything," Gardenhire said. "So we were waiting to see how he'd feel when he got back here. He came in, told [pitching coach Rick Anderson] regular day, good to go."Tyler Mason is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
