Twins slugger Sano, closer Perkins sit against White Sox
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Twins are without rookie slugger Miguel Sano and closer Glen Perkins for the game against the Chicago White Sox on Thursday.
Sano is dealing with a hamstring injury that doesn't allow him to run well. Perkins' availability is more of a concern as he's been dealing with back spasms for the second time in a week. Perkins earned his 32nd save in a one-inning performance on Tuesday, but got up Wednesday morning with more trouble with his back.
Perkins, who is second in the American League in saves, won't accompany the team on the road trip to Houston starting Friday.
"That day I would have said I felt 90, 95 percent and everything was good, everything was fine," Perkins said of his most recent outing.
"I didn't think anything of it after the game and then when I woke up yesterday, I couldn't get out of bed. It completely blindsided me. So, yeah, I don't feel any better today. It's going to take a little bit more time than it did the last time."
Minnesota manager Paul Molitor wouldn't rule out Perkins for the whole six-game road trip, but he will stay behind for treatment while the team is in Houston.
Sano, who has 14 home runs in his first 50 major-league games, has played through the hamstring injury. Molitor said Sano could have played Thursday and he could be available to pinch hit. But Molitor wanted to give Sano some rest after he played Wednesday night.
"I do know every time he runs I kind of hold my breath because it's not like he's got a pain in his knee or his foot where it's just going to be there," Molitor said. "It's a muscle that if it tears or pops or whatever, you're going to be disabled as far as being able to contribute. I'm just thinking today might be a day."
