Twins utilityman Nick Gordon was diagnosed with a fractured right shin after fouling a ball off his leg during today’s loss to the Dodgers, tweets Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com. He’ll be placed on the 10-day injured list and seems likely to be out well beyond the minimal stint.
Gordon’s 2023 campaign began with an injury scare. He suffered a right high ankle sprain in Spring Training but recovered quickly enough to avoid a season-opening IL stay. He’s had a slow start from a performance perspective, though, hitting only .176/.195/.319 over 93 trips to the plate. It has been a disappointing follow-up to a productive .272/.316/.427 showing in a career-high 443 plate appearances for the former fifth overall pick.
Manager Rocco Baldelli has bounced Gordon around the diamond. He’s seen a decent number of innings at each of center field, left field and second base. With Byron Buxton working as a designated hitter as part of Minnesota’s efforts to keep him healthy, the lefty-swinging Gordon has gotten the strong side of a platoon arrangement with right-handed Michael A. Taylor in center field of late.
Gordon’s injury figures to open more playing time for the glove-first Taylor in center field. He’s off to a .231/.286/.404 start to his Twins’ tenure. Donovan Solano and Willi Castro can play multi-positional infield roles off the bench. That could take on particular importance considering second baseman Jorge Polanco also came out of today’s game with an injury.
Polanco told reporters postgame he has a mild strain of his left hamstring (relayed by Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer-Press). The team will reevaluate after tomorrow’s off day to determine whether he might require an IL stay. The switch-hitting infielder lost some time at the start of the season rehabbing from a 2022 knee issue. He’s been off to a quality .284/.327/.484 start since returning.
Gordon wasn’t the only Minnesota player to foul a ball off his leg this afternoon. Outfielder Joey Gallo had an early departure after hitting one off his own shin. He said after the game that x-rays were negative but noted there was quite a bit of swelling in the area (Helfand link). He’s presently day-to-day and figures to test things out again on Friday. Gallo missed a bit of time due to an intercostal strain but he’s already slugged 10 homers after signing a one-year free agent deal over the winter.
Ouch.
You know Royce is on his way up soon now. He can play all around the field. And maybe we’ll finally see Buxton in the field? (Side note on Buxton: if they are trying to keep him healthy, why wasn’t he wearing a mitt on his first steal Tuesday?)
It’s sad that arguably the best defender at any position, Byron Buxton, has been relegated to DH. Minnesota played the Dodgers pretty tough the last 3 days, although they lost 2 of 3, but we’ll see if the logic moving Bux to DH pays off long term for the Twinkies.
Both the team(mgmt and coaches) and Buxton have said at some point will be in the field this year. So, I’m still going to take their word on that. I don’t think they wanted it now or to be a regular thing. More for reps and flexibility.
Imagine having no center fielder in a game seven in playoffs with only buxton as option who hadn’t played an inning all year there?!? He’ll get some time just not a lot.
I don’t think that decision to have Buxton as primary DH was made lightly. Drastic measures seem justifiable though.. especially consider his age and that he is locked up through 2028.
Total bummer that we dont get to see him in CF though…
I keep checking this page to see when Pagan is no longer a Minnesota Twin….
I wish someone would play one off Pagan’s shin. He is just horrible. How he’s still on the roster baffles me.
I take it you’re not a Pagan worshipper.
Anyway, only players taking it on the shins are name Nick.
What a vile person you are. I understand wanting a player not performing to not be playing, but to root for an injury for that to happen is beyond disgusting.
That must have been some strong exit velo off of himself to fracture his own shin.
The exit velo out of the pitchers hand was probably faster than almost any exit velo Nick Gordon has produced.
Brings back memories of Jermaine Dye in ’01. No padding there unless you’re in the Frequent Fouler club and are wearing a guard. Ouch. Hope he recovers quickly.
“Shades of Jermaine Dye”
Owie!!!!!