MINNEAPOLIS – The Twins placed Austin Martin on the 10-day IL Monday after the left fielder injured his left hamstring while trying to run down a fly ball in Sunday’s game against Philadelphia.
Martin had a long run to reach the Luis Arraez fly ball, which the former Twin slashed down the left field line. The ball glanced off Martin’s glove as he pulled up near the foul line. Martin was removed from the game after the play.
“We got an MRI this morning and just did not think that it was prudent for him to continue to play,” Twins manager Derek Shelton said. “It’s a grade one, so not anything very serious, but with hamstrings, we have to make sure that we pay attention to it.”
Martin had been mostly sharing left field in a platoon with Trevor Larnach. In 110 games this season, Martin is slashing .241/.352/.333 and has stolen 12 bases in 19 attempts.
To replace Martin on the roster, the Twins recalled Alex Jackson from Triple-A St. Paul. Jackson was designated for assignment on Friday but he cleared waivers and was slated to join the Saints before Martin’s injury changed the team’s plans.
“We really like Alex,” Shelton said. “I said it when we DFA’d him.”
Shelton noted that Jackson’s presence on the roster allows the team to use Ryan Jeffers at designated hitter. Jackson also started one game at first base this year and could fill in at third or the outfield in a pinch. He is slashing .303/.333/.409 in 29 games this year.