Castillo latest to get banged up

By La Velle E. Neal III, Star Tribune

Last update: April 19, 2007 - 10:48 PM

SEATTLE - Some men get healthy, others aggravate injuries.

Twins third baseman Nick Punto returned to the lineup Thursday, and the Twins hope to have outfielders Rondell White and Torii Hunter available today when the team begins a three-game series at Kansas City.

But second baseman Luis Castillo had to leave Thursday's 6-5 victory over Seattle when he aggravated a sore left quadriceps while running out a double.

Castillo is listed as day-to-day.

"He told me before the game he was fine. He was going to get three hits," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "You saw when he hit the ball and tried to stretch out, he hurt himself, so we'll just go day-to-day with a quad."

Alexi Casilla replaced Castillo and wound up with a bunt hit and an infield hit in two at-bats.

White, eligible to come off the disabled list after recovering from a strained right calf, worked out before the game but cautioned that he might wait until Saturday before playing.

"The more I did, the better I felt," White said. "I'll go out tomorrow. ... I don't want to push it."

Hunter, who suffered a bruised left shoulder Tuesday, said he is well enough to play defense but is having trouble swinging. Gardenhire hoped Hunter will be in the lineup tonight.

If White is activated from the disabled list, outfielder Josh Rabe likely would be sent back to Class AAA Rochester.

"We're going day-to-day with about 10 guys," Gardenhire said, "It's getting a little hairy, to say the least."

Still waiting

The 2006 season ended with Twins fans and players staying at the Dome to watch the Royals finish a sweep of the Tigers, enabling the Twins to win the AL Central.

During the post-division title celebration, Hunter promised to send the Royals champagne.

Kansas City is still waiting for its gifts. "Nothing yet," Royals designated hitter Mike Sweeney told the Kansas City Star. "We're still waiting for Torii to come through. And Torii is making good money, so he can afford it."

Fear Guerrier

Matt Guerrier entered Wednesday's game with the bases loaded and one out in the seventh. Guerrier struck out Adrian Beltre, then got Jose Vidro on a lineout to escape the jam.

The situation called for righthander Jesse Crain, but Crain missed a week because of a sore shoulder and Gardenhire didn't want to throw him right into the fire.

Guerrier usually is a long reliever and is not used to putting out fires. But he has thrown 91/3 scoreless innings to start the season.

"I feel comfortable coming in with guys on base," he said. "You know what you have to do, just keep from blowing up, really. You always want to pitch in those situations."

Etc.

• Seattle ace Felix Hernandez, who left Wednesday's start vs. the Twins in the first inning, will likely miss two to three starts because of a muscle strain inside his right elbow and forearm.

• Casilla and Joe Mauer pulled off a double steal in the fifth, giving the Twins 16 consecutive successful steals to open a season. Twins media relations maven Dustin Morse contacted the Elias Sports Bureau, who confirmed that it's easily a club record, the old one being seven in 1997.

• Gardenhire said before the game that he feels Jason Kubel can hit lefthanded pitchers, but he wanted to give Rabe and Mike Redmond a shot against lefthander Jarrod Washburn on Thursday.

• Kevin Slowey threw 52/3 scoreless innings, striking out nine as Rochester beat Pawtucket 3-0 in the first game of a doubleheader Thursday. Matt Garza pitched the second game and gave up two earned runs over five innings on six hits, two walks and five strikeouts in a 4-0 loss.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

La Velle E. Neal III • lneal@startribune.com

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