Nolasco has MRI after injuring right ankle

MINNEAPOLIS -- Right-hander Ricky Nolasco left his start against the Blue Jays in the second inning of the Twins' 6-5 win due to a sore right ankle on Sunday. He is listed as day to day and underwent an MRI exam during the game, but the results likely won't be released until Monday.

While facing Russell Martin to lead off the inning, Nolasco was checked on by Twins manager Paul Molitor and trainer Tony Leo after throwing three pitches. But after throwing two warmup pitches, Nolasco remained in the game.

Nolasco gave up back-to-back singles to Martin and Chris Colabello before catcher Kurt Suzuki visited Nolasco at the mound, which prompted Molitor and Leo to make a second mound visit. Nolasco was then removed from the game with right-hander J.R. Graham taking over.

Video: TOR@MIN: Nolasco in discomfort, visited by trainer

"My understanding, it was one pitch in particular in the first inning," Molitor said. "I saw him walk around the mound but I thought he recovered from that. But I was keeping an eye on him. In the second, he threw a couple pitches and said he wanted to try it. But he gave up a couple hits, I had Kurt check on him again and obviously there was a problem."

Nolasco missed nearly a month with right elbow inflammation before returning in early May. The right-hander had been pitching well, as he entered his start 5-0 with a 3.77 ERA since coming back from the DL. The Twins are hopeful the injury isn't serious, but Molitor didn't have an update on the severity after the game.

"I don't know if worry is the right word," Molitor said. "You don't want a guy to get hurt when he's pitching well and has won games for us. It's more about the reality of what kind of physical injury that he's dealing with. Is he going to be able to pitch right away? Or if there's damage, we'll have to readjust. So it's just one of those things you have to deal with unfortunately."