The mild ankle sprain Brian Dozier suffered on Cinco de Mayo sounds like it’s healed enough to allow him back on the field and in the lineup for Thursday’s Twins-White Sox game in Chicago.
Dozier told reporters that he felt like he could’ve played in last night’s game had it not been rained out.
“I’m ready to go,” Dozier said, according to the Pioneer Press. “There’s still some swelling but it’s gone down a lot from what it was. To be honest with you, I think it’s turned out better that what I was expecting, which is kind of surprising.”
Joe Mauer batted leadoff in Tuesday’s 7-2 win over the White Sox but it would be surprising to see Mauer back at the top of the order if Dozier returns for tonight’s game against left-hander Derek Holland.
Dozier has started 2017 just like he did 2016.
- First 26 games of 2016: .217 with 3 homers, 6 doubles and 11 RBI
- First 26 games of 2017: .229 with 4 homers, 5 doubles and 10 RBI
His early struggles lasted through May last season before he blew up with 37 homers over the final four months of the season.
