For the third time since last July, a Twin has suffered a serious hand injury by diving headfirst into a base. That might explain why Matt Tolbert tried to keep his left hand hidden.
Tolbert tore ligaments in his left thumb while diving into first base on the final play of Thursday's loss to Toronto. At least, that's what the Twins discovered a day later. "He didn't want anyone to know," Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire said. "He iced it all by himself all night. ... It looked like it was a blown-up glove and was black on top."
Tolbert was placed on the disabled list and could be out for some time. The Twins placed Triple-A infielder Howie Clark on the 40-man roster and summoned him from Rochester.
Michael Cuddyer injured his thumb in similar fashion a year ago and dislocated his middle finger diving into third base in April, making Tolbert the third casualty of headfirst plays.
Tolbert apologized to Gardenhire for diving into first, a low-percentage play that the Twins try to discourage. "I said, 'Don't ever apologize for playing hard,'" Gardenhire said. "You don't apologize for trying."
TWINS 4, ROCKIES 2: Carlos Gomez made a leaping catch and collided with the wall but held on to the ball for the final out Friday as the Twins broke their three-game losing streak. For the eighth consecutive season, Minnesota won its interleague opener, thanks to Nick Blackburn's strong seven-inning performance. Blackburn (4-2) allowed only two runs and even collected his first big-league hit as he won for the first time outside the Metrodome.
