MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Twins lost leadoff hitter Luis
Castillo to a sprained right ankle in the sixth inning of
Wednesday's game against the Kansas City Royals.
Castillo said he was fine as he left the Metrodome, but he won't
play Thursday and perhaps Friday, too.
"It's going to be a couple days. We just have to wait and
see," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "It's not a severe type thing,
but it is an ankle sprain."
The second baseman was moving to his right to field a groundball
hit by Emil Brown, but he rolled his right ankle on the turf right
before he was ready to throw. Castillo collapsed to his knees and
couldn't get up, allowing Brown to reach on an infield single.
Castillo walked gingerly off the field and was replaced by Luis
Rodriguez, who came in at third base. Nick Punto moved from third
to second.
Acquired in an offseason trade with the Florida Marlins,
Castillo has stabilized the infield and the top of the lineup for
Minnesota -- batting .294 with 77 runs, 45 RBIs and 20 stolen bases.