So much for conspiracy theories.
Righthander Samuel Deduno is out for a few days with a groin muscle pull, an injury that occurred Wednesday while pitching for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic title game.
That game was played in the rain, and play was halted when Deduno requested that the mound be repaired. What has come to light is that Deduno slipped on the mound during the game, causing the injury.
Deduno felt soreness after bullpen session on Thursday and again on Friday during a workoutt.
``I don't think it is anything seroius and I don't think Sam thinks it is serious," Twins GM Terry Ryan said. ``But we don't want it to develop into a problem."
It's unclear if Deduno will be ready to pitch in a game before spring training ends. It's a crummy development for the Twins, who were looking forward to seeing him pitch on Sunday and possibly inserting him in the rotation.
And here I go thinking Deduno was scratched Sunday because the Twins were going to figure out a way to start him on Opening Day. Hah!
P.J. Walters will start on Sunday in place of Deduno. He's not quite stretched out so he might not have enough stamina to win a job in the rotation.
