JUPITER, FLA. – Josmil Pinto will be shut down for several days after experiencing concussion-like symptoms from being hit — unintentionally — with a bat multiple times while catching during a game against Baltimore on Saturday.
Twins General Manager Terry Ryan stressed that Pinto has not been officially been diagnosed with a concussion, but the club is being cautious after three incidents with Orioles star outfielder Adam Jones.
Three times over two at-bats Jones, known for his long swing, had his bat inadvertently hit Pinto during his follow-through. The first two times were glancing blows, but the third time was more of a direct blow.
"We're just monitoring," Ryan said. "He's doing pretty well considering the circumstances. We'll just keep an eye on him for the next couple days and then we'll move forward. I was pleased with the way he looked and acted.
"We haven't taken him through any of the [concussion] program. We want to make sure. I think it's premature to say he had a concussion.' "
It's the last thing Pinto needs. He missed the first week of spring training games while recovering from a strained right quadriceps. He has played in seven games since returning, batting .353.
Twins manager Paul Molitor wasn't ready to address how this latest injury interferes with Pinto's chances of making the team as Kurt Suzuki's backup.
"There are things you can't control," Molitor said. "He's obviously come in and looked better when he's had a chance to catch. He has worked on everything from pitch to pitch as far as calling games, his mechanics, framing pitches and blocking pitches. There was a lot of improvement there."
