Grossman makes big splash in return from DL
ST. PETERSBURG -- Twins switch-hitter Robbie Grossman was in the lineup Tuesday after being reinstated from the 10-day disabled list. Although he will be limited to batting from the left side over the next few games, he made a big splash in his return.Grossman led off the ninth inning of
ST. PETERSBURG -- Twins switch-hitter Robbie Grossman was in the lineup Tuesday after being reinstated from the 10-day disabled list. Although he will be limited to batting from the left side over the next few games, he made a big splash in his return.
Grossman led off the ninth inning of the 2-1 loss to the Rays with a solo shot off Rays closer Alex Colome that ended up in the Rays' Touch Tank in right-center field. It was only the sixth home run to reach the tank -- full of live cownose rays and open to the public -- since it opened in 2006.
"He made a mistake over the middle of the plate and luckily I put a good swing on it," Grossman said.
Grossman, who missed the past 18 games with a fractured left thumb, is batting .244 with eight home runs and 36 RBIs in 99 games. His return should provide an offensive spark with third baseman
The club also selected the contract of right-handed pitcher
"He went down there and did his work," Molitor said. "I told him today that I wasn't sure how much he'll get to pitch but he deserves to be back here, so I'm happy he'll have that opportunity."
Chargois, who has missed most of the year with a right elbow impingement, will be transferred to the 60-day DL to make room for Tonkin on the 40-man roster.
"With the people we have pitching I feel fairly good about it, to be honest, but you can never have enough pitching in these late-season games because there is always the unknown," Molitor said.
Molitor said the decision was made to give Mejia an additional start in order to get him up to 100 pitches for a possible return to the rotation.
"I wouldn't want to use him out of the bullpen right now," Molitor said.
The club also announced it reinstated left-handed pitcher
J. Scott Butherus is a contributor to MLB.com based in St. Petersburg.