RADIO
After allowing six runs in only three innings pitched, Twins right-hander Ricky Nolasco flew back to Minnesota to have his pitching elbow examined.
Nolasco allowed six hits and four walks as he struggled against the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday. According to MLB.com, Nolasco felt the discomfort after a pitch to Alex Avila in the fourth inning. He stayed in the game, but couldn't get an out before being removed from the game.
"Ricky felt a little bit of a spike in his elbow during a particular pitch during his last inning of work," Twins manager Paul Molitor told MLB.com. "I wasn't aware of it at the time and no one on the staff was aware of it. When he came in, he said he had a little soreness in his elbow coming from one pitch in particular. So we thought the prudent thing was to send him to Minneapolis to see our doctors and get tested."
Nolasco signed a four-year deal worth $49 million before last season. He was hoping to bounce back from a season where he had a 6-12 record with a 5.38 ERA. The 32-year-old veteran was solid in Spring Training, posting a 3.97 ERA in 22 2/3 innings.
Minnesota might fear the worst as it knows already that it will be without Ervin Santana in the starting rotation for half the season. It's not looking for the Twins rotation while the offense hasn't scored a run in the first two games of the season.
