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Head-first dive is costly to Tolbert
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DENVER - Twins infielder Matt Tolbert's dive into first base Thursday could be very costly.
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said Saturday that the initial assessment is that Tolbert needs surgery that would sideline him for a couple of months.
"Those are the reports," Gardenhire said.
The Twins won't know for sure until they return to the Twin Cities following the series against Colorado and have hand specialist Tom Varecka examine Tolbert. Gardenhire hopes Varecka might have a different opinion.
It underscores most managers' concerns about players diving into first base.
"He wasn't really that close [to being safe]," Gardenhire said. "He was just trying to so hard to get there.
"I don't know what you can do," Gardenhire said. "All you can say is, 'It's really not good to dive head first.' We explain it to them, but the instincts take over when you play. As long as I played, you dove ... not into first."
That's how Tolbert got into trouble on Thursday.
"I know you're not supposed to dive into first base," he said, "but my instincts took over ... I don't know."
Gomez outTwins outfielder Carlos Gomez didn't start on Saturday because of a sore right wrist. He injured the wrist hitting the wall while making the game-ending catch on Friday.
"He hit the wall pretty hard," Gardenhire said. "We suspected that he might be a little sore."
Gomez said Friday he expected to be in the lineup Saturday but didn't feel the same when he got to the park Saturday, and it's unclear if he will be able to start today. "I can pinch run," Gomez said. "I don't know what else I can do."
Brendan Harris started in the leadoff spot Saturday and Craig Monroe played center.
Clark is backIn spring training, Howie Clark was just hoping to open the season at Class AAA Rochester.
"I wasn't sure I was a safe bet even to go to Rochester," he said. "I know I'm the oldest guy [34] on the team. I'm not going to take a spot over a young guy. I know how the game works."
Clark also knew the call could come any time. With Tolbert and Nick Punto on the disabled list -- and Clark playing well lately -- the Twins are giving him another shot.
It's the sixth time Clark has been called up to the majors. He's also played for Baltimore and Toronto.
"It's what you play for," said Clark, who was batting .284 with a homer and 21 RBI in 37 games with Rochester. "Even if you are in Rochester and it seems far away, it's still your goal."
Gardenhire said Clark can play first and second base, a little third and maybe the outfield in a pinch. "He's a gamer," Gardenhire said.
Everett's shoulderAdam Everett went into the hole after a ground ball on Friday and tried to throw on the run. The ball bounced twice to first base.
"He said it bounced over there," Gardenhire said. "I said it rolled over there."
But Gardenhire is standing firmly behind Everett, who spent time on the disabled list because of a weak shoulder.
"He catches the ball and makes the plays up the middle," Gardenhire said. "He understands that his arm strength is not great from the hole right now.
"Hopefully as he continues to do his arm exercises, he'll get stronger and stronger."
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