Tolbert is lost to thumb injury

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune

Last update: May 17, 2008 - 9:46 AM

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DENVER - Twins manager Ron Gardenhire encourages his players to not dive into first base. Not everyone listens (Nick Punto).

Matt Tolbert will heed his manager's words from now on after he tore a ligament in his left thumb Thursday when he dived into first base on the game's final play. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list.

The Twins have purchased the contract of journeyman Howie Clark from Class AAA Rochester. He's expected to join the team in time for tonight's game.

Tolbert attempted to beat out a hit on the final play of Thursday's game when he injured himself. He stayed on the ground for a few moments, but no one knew that he was hurt because he didn't say he was.

"He didn't tell [the trainers]," Gardenhire said. "He iced it all by himself all of [Thursday] night."

Tolbert went into the trainer's room early Friday afternoon and asked for some ice before taking early batting practice.

"The trainers looked at it and said, 'Nope,' " Gardenhire said. "It's swollen and black and blue."

Tolbert will be examined in the Twin Cities by hand specialist Dr. Tom Varecka.

"It's not working right, right now,'' Tolbert said.

Gardenhire, who had surgery for a similar injury during his playing days, is worried Tolbert might need surgery, too.

"Hopefully some rest and some rehab is all I need,'' Tolbert said. "I won't know until I get back [to the Twin Cities].''

The pickings at middle infield were slim. Infielder Chris Basak is at Rochester but is batting .237. Matt Macri is on the disabled list because of a strained left calf. Sergio Santos was just claimed off waivers.

In the end, the Twins went with Clark, 34, who went 2-for-4 with a double on Thursday and is batting .284 with a homer and 21 RBI in 37 games. Clark has played mostly at second base for the Red Wings.

Tolbert hopefully has learned a lesson: Diving for first base is only acceptable to avoid a collision or a tag.

"He apologized for diving in the first place,'' Gardenhire said.

Other nagging things

Joe Mauer strained his neck during early batting practice.

"There were question marks if he would be able to play,'' Gardenhire said.

After a visit to the training room, Mauer took some swings in the batting cage and said he'd be able to start.

But NL MVP runner up Matt Holliday was a late scratch for the Rockies because of a sore lower back. He's listed as day-to-day.

"I wanted to see him play,'' Gardenhire said. "I like to see the young men that you see on TV go at it.''

Good Liriano news

Gardenhire said he was encouraged by reports on lefthander Francisco Liriano's start on Thursday for Rochester.

Liriano, making his fourth start since being sent down last month, gave up three runs and seven hits over eight innings, with one walk and four strikeouts. Liriano pitched around 91 miles per hour most of the night but did touch 93 once.

The most encouraging sign: Of Liriano's 93 pitches, 61 were strikes.

"We're getting there,'' Gardenhire said. "Nice to see. Very, very nice to see. We were hoping he would start turning the corner there. He's gotten better each start, and this obviously was his best.

"If he gets his confidence back then he would take off from there."