MINNEAPOLIS — Just when Minnesota Twins management was going to need to make a decision on its starting rotation, the health of one pitcher may make the choice simple.
Twins right-hander Phil Hughes left Wednesday’s game with a hip flexor strain and could be headed for the 15-day disabled list, depending on how things progress the next couple of days.
Hughes said he originally felt pain in his hip following his start last Friday, when he allowed two runs in an eight-inning, complete game loss to Felix Hernandez and the Seattle Mariners.
Hughes felt okay to make his start against the Tigers but said the injury flared up again after a couple innings of work.
“It was just something that got progressively worse as the day went on,” Hughes said. “I couldn’t really finish anything. I said something before it got so bad where I would miss significant time.”
The Twins have Ricky Nolasco readying to come off the 15-day disabled list as soon as this weekend, but with five starters healthy and pitching decently, there was a question as to who would be removed. If Hughes needs to go on the disabled list, that question could be answered.
Hughes said he will throw again this week before he and the team decide what comes next.
“I’ll try and throw a (bullpen session) in a couple of days and move around on it a little bit tomorrow and we’ll see where we’re at with it,” Hughes said.
Despite a rocky start, the Twins would prefer not to proceed without Hughes, who won 16 games a year ago and had an ERA under four. Hughes was in line for the win Wednesday, which would have been his first this season, but the Twins’ bullpen allowed seven runs over the final four innings in a 10-7 loss.
Hughes has always struggled in the month of April. His 4.55 ERA this season is actually significantly lower than what it was after one month in 2014. His career ERA in March and April is 5.85, more than a run and a half higher than his next worst month.