Football
Associated Press 16y

Strained right shoulder lands Twins shortstop Everett on DL

MINNEAPOLIS -- Shortstop Adam Everett was placed on 15-day disabled list by the Minnesota Twins because of a strained right shoulder.

The move before Saturday's game was retroactive to Tuesday, making Everett eligible to be activated on April 30. Corner infielder Brian Buscher, who will give manager Ron Gardenhire another left-handed bat off the bench, was recalled from Triple-A Rochester to take his roster spot.

Everett is hitting .185 with one double and two RBIs in 27 at-bats. He was signed by the Twins for his defense, though, and the weakness and soreness in his shoulder has affected his throwing. Everett has made three errors in nine games.

He tried to play catch Saturday morning, but felt no better. He won't be allowed to throw or swing for at least a week.

"As I told him, there comes a point where we just have to shut it down here," said Gardenhire, who said the condition was inflammation or tendinitis. An MRI test revealed no torn ligaments or other damage.

Nick Punto played shortstop Saturday against the Cleveland Indians, but rookie Matt Tolbert -- who fouled a ball hard off his foot the night before -- was available to play and likely to assume most of the starts at that position while Everett rests. The switch-hitting Tolbert took a .400 batting average with two doubles and two RBIs in 35 at-bats into Saturday's game.

Right-handed reliever Brian Bass -- fighting a strained muscle in his lower back -- reported no problems after throwing on the side Saturday, so he's expected to be available in a day or two. That development allowed Minnesota to bring up a position player instead of a pitcher. Buscher batted .345 with two doubles, four homers and 11 RBIs in 58 at-bats for Rochester.

In other injury news, right fielder Michael Cuddyer will be sent to Fort Myers, Fla., on Sunday for a rehabilitation assignment in the Gulf Coast League. He is slowly recovering from a dislocated right index finger and could be back with the Twins by next weekend.

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