Specialist says Slowey's injury a strain, nothing more

Jim Mcisaac, Getty Images

Kevin Slowey

The righthander got a second opinion on his aching wrist.

Last update: July 6, 2009 - 10:07 PM

After the Twins diagnosed Kevin Slowey with a strained right wrist Friday night, the righthander sought a second opinion from a Baltimore specialist.

On Monday, the specialist confirmed the Twins' diagnosis, treating the injury as a strain and injecting the tender spot with cortisone. Twins General Manager Bill Smith said Slowey could be ready to resume throwing after a couple more days of rest.

Slowey, 10-3 with a 4.86 ERA, is eligible to return from the 15-day disabled list July 19.

After looking like a potential candidate to make the All-Star team, Slowey lasted only three innings in each of his past two starts. He reported sharp pain in the wrist in Friday's loss to Detroit, so the Twins placed him on the DL, recalling righthander Anthony Swarzak from Class AAA Rochester.

Slowey, 25, initially injured the wrist last Sept. 25, when he was hit by a line drive from then-White Sox infielder Juan Uribe. Because of that injury, the Twins turned to Nick Blackburn to start their one-game tiebreaker against the White Sox on Sept. 30.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said Slowey pitched without pain until Friday, despite feeling occasional pangs in the wrist when opening doors.

JOE CHRISTENSEN

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