If it were up to Luis Arraez, he would have played Tuesday at Target Field. But when it comes to concussions, the protocol dictates all.
The Twins' utility man went on the seven-day injured list before Tuesday's game against the Rangers because of a concussion suffered in Monday's game after a collision at home plate. Although Arraez did stay in the game initially, the team pulled him after noticing symptoms. He underwent the league-issued impact test after the game and did another baseline test Monday.
Nick Gordon was called up from St. Paul, flying in from Omaha before the Saints' opener. The 25-year-old infielder was activated April 23 but didn't play for the Twins before being sent down three days later.
As for Arraez, there's a lot more testing before he returns, as he'll have to keep progressing through days without symptoms and slowly increasing activity — such as running on a treadmill up to actual baseball work — before he can return. But seven days is the minimum.
"He likes to play, so he's frustrated," manager Rocco Baldelli said. "He just doesn't want to be off the field, and [that's] very understandable knowing him. He thinks he can play with pretty much anything. … Guys are tough and resilient and can deal with stuff, but this is not something that we have very much leeway on. This is very much a Major League Baseball and a doctor decision."
Kirilloff hurt
Rookie Alex Kirilloff has become one of the team's hottest players in the past week. But that groove seems about to go on hiatus.
Kirilloff was a late scratch from the lineup, held out because of a right wrist injury. The team took some images, and Kirilloff will head to a specialist Wednesday.
"It doesn't appear to be the most minor of things," Baldelli said. "… We're going to hopefully know more once we talk to the specialist."
