MINNEAPOLIS -- Guardians reliever Tim Herrin was forced to exit from Wednesday’s game against the Twins at Target Field after he absorbed a line drive from Royce Lewis directly off his left elbow.
Herrin threw Lewis a 2-0 sinker that the first baseman lined directly back his way. Herrin attempted to turn out of the way before the ball struck him. It rolled all the way to first baseman Rhys Hoskins, who tagged Lewis out.
The Guardians later announced Herrin exited the game with a left elbow contusion. X-rays were negative.
Herrin dropped his glove and appeared in obvious pain after the play unfolded. He slammed his right fist onto the grass behind the pitcher’s mound in frustration, and manager Stephen Vogt and trainer Chad Wolfe came out to check on him. Herrin promptly walked off the field with Wolfe, as Shawn Armstrong entered in relief.
Herrin entered Wednesday with a 3.13 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP with 27 strikeouts and 19 walks in 31 1/3 innings over 40 appearances this season. He is one of just two lefties in the Guardians’ bullpen, and Cleveland is a bit thin organizationally in that department.
Beyond Herrin and Erik Sabrowski, Will Dion is the only lefty reliever on the Guardians’ 40-man roster -- which also includes starter Logan Allen. Both of them are with Triple-A Columbus and stand as an option if Cleveland needs to call up a pitcher in a pinch.
Dion had a cup of coffee in the Majors this season (5.56 ERA in 11 1/3 innings over six appearances), while Allen tossed 4 2/3 innings in his lone big league appearance on May 25.
Right-hander Daniel Espino is another reliever waiting in the wings with Columbus. The Guardians optioned him on Friday after he made five appearances in his first career big league stint, which included his MLB debut on June 17.