Injury to Cuddyer mars win over Royals

Marlin Levison, Star Tribune

Joe Mauer scores in the third inning.

The Twins saw a three-game skid end, but their right fielder will be out two weeks because of a lacerated and dislocated finger.

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune

Last update: April 5, 2008 - 12:11 AM

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Twins outfielder Michael Cuddyer is a moving clinic on the bases. There's no Twin more aggressive when going from first to third. And if you're a middle infielder for the opponent, you don't want Cuddyer coming down the basepath trying to break up a double play.

Unfortunately for Cuddyer, playing aggressively landed him on the 15-day disabled list Friday and forced him to miss the final innings of the Twins' 4-3 victory over the Royals.

Cuddyer suffered a dislocation and laceration of his right index finger as he dived headfirst into third base in the third inning. He apparently sliced his finger on one of Royals third baseman Alex Gordon's cleats. Cuddyer left the game and headed to Hennepin County Medical Center for X-rays and to have to the wound cleaned.

"He's getting stitches; they are cleaning it up," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "I think the tendon is good. They seem to think he can move it, and that's good."

But the Twins found out after the game that Cuddyer would need two weeks to recover. Jason Kubel will get most of the playing time in right field, and the Twins have called up outfield prospect Denard Span from Class AAA Rochester. Span is 3-for-9 after two games with the Red Wings with one stolen base.

"That was too bad," Twins first baseman Justin Morneau said of Cuddyer's injury. "They said it wasn't broken or anything. I think we got the best news we could have out of it. That was good.

"Hopefully it's not too long. We don't want him to rush back. We want him to be healthy when he comes back."

It's another bad break for Cuddyer, who spent time on the disabled list late last season because of a sprained ligament in his right thumb.

Cuddyer was injured just as Morneau, his buddy, stopped an 0-for-13 streak with a RBI single to left field on the play.

Cuddyer, who was on first at the time, hurried around second and headed to third. Royals left fielder Mark Teahen fielded the ball and threw to cutoff man Tony Pena Jr., who relayed to Gordon at third. Cuddyer and the ball arrived at about the same time.

"I think [he slid] into my back cleat," Gordon said. "I hope he's all right."

Kubel replaced Cuddyer at third base and scored on Delmon Young's RBI groundout that tied the score 3-3. The Twins took a 4-3 lead in the fourth inning when Adam Everett squeezed home Mike Lamb from third.

Scott Baker, making his 2008 debut, was unfazed after falling behind 3-1 through two innings. His command improved as he went along, enabling him to pitch 62/3 innings and leave with a 4-3 lead.

Baker and the squeeze play were the good things that happened on a night the Twins lost their right fielder and No. 3 hitter.

"That was the disappointing part of the night," Gardenhire said.