Uncertainty about the status of Twins pitcher Ricky Nolasco has manager Paul Molitor unsure how they Twins will handle their starting rotation for the rest of the week.
According to ESPN 1500, the only thing really known for sure about Nolasco is that he won’t make his next scheduled start on Friday, but the team isn’t sure if it will place the right-hander on the disabled list for the second time this season.
Nolasco injured his ankle during his last start on Sunday against Toronto. He left the game after just one inning. The injury appeared to happen on the game’s very first pitch.
GIF: The first pitch that apparently tweaked Ricky Nolasco's ankle pic.twitter.com/kKyhMsi83W
— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) May 31, 2015
The Pioneer Press reports that an MRI on Nolasco’s ankle showed no structural damage and the Twins remain hopeful he’ll be able to avoid the disabled list.
So the Twins plan to have Nolasco throw a bullpen session before they determine if a trip to the disabled list is necessary. According to the Star Tribune, if the soreness in his ankle has subsided Nolasco would likely be Saturday’s starter. But if not, he is likely headed for the disabled list and the Twins could recall Tommy Milone from Triple-A Rochester.
In the event that Nolasco is able to pitch on Saturday, Molitor could choose to go with a committee approach, using Twins relievers to get through the game and leaving Milone in Rochester.
If Ricky Nolasco can't start Friday, why would the Twins decide on a bullpen game instead of calling up Tommy Milone?
— Derek Wetmore (@DerekWetmore) June 2, 2015
Terry Ryan, before the game, on Tommy Milone: “Unfortunately, there's no room at the inn.''
— LaVelle E. Neal III (@LaVelleNeal) May 31, 2015
With a team that sits at 30-20 on the season, navigating his way through this week could be one of Molitor’s first major tests as a big league manager.
