MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -The Minnesota Twins were missing two of their best hitters, Torii Hunter and Michael Cuddyer, to injuries for Thursday’s game against Detroit, thanks to one play from the night before.
With Cuddyer on first base in the fourth inning on Wednesday, Hunter hit a groundball to shortstop. Cuddyer’s hard slide enabled Hunter to beat the relay throw and avoid a double play, but the right fielder hurt his right thumb while Tigers second baseman Placido Polanco forced him out and made the pivot.
Seconds later, All-Star center fielder Hunter suffered a mild strain of his left hamstring while running through first base. He left the game, but was feeling fine Thursday and told manager Ron Gardenhire he could pinch hit.
Cuddyer was originally in the lineup, but scratched about a half-hour before the first pitch. Garrett Jones moved from left field to right, and Jason Kubel was inserted in left.
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