Mar 8, 2012; Fort Myers, FL, USA; Minnesota Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe (24) chases a ground ball during the game against the Boston Red Sox at JetBlue Park. The Twins shut out the Red Sox 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Minnesota Twins fans everywhere held their collective breath following the results of third baseman Trevor Plouffe‘s precautionary MRI on his calf on Monday. Rhett Bollinger of twinsbaseball.com reported that the team received positive news:
#MNTwins GM Terry Ryan said Trevor Plouffe's MRI results came back "favorable." Doesn't think he'll be out more than a week.
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) March 11, 2013
However, fear strikes the hearts of many a fan follwoing any injury that could be labeled “day-to-day”, as Ryan’s less-than-a-week assessment sounds. Over the last few seasons, a player listed as day-to-day seems to turn into week-to-week, despite the most hopeful recovery expected. It’s difficult not to have a knee jerk reaction and worry Plouffe’s injury will spiral into missing Opening Day and some time beyond.
The timing of the injury is challenging for the 26-year-old player. While he isn’t fighting for an Opening Day job (if he’s healthy), Plouffe could be fighting for a longterm job. Plouffe had a mighty bat, at least for several months, during the 2012 season, chalking up 24 homeruns in 2012. His fielding, however, was not up to par. The Twins are hoping his fielding will improve, as Terry Ryan discussed with Dick Bremer at the end of the 2012 season:
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Plouffe’s replacement at the hot corner was utility infielder Jamey Carroll. Phil Miller of The Star Tribune had an interesting entry in his blog about the last time Carroll played third base: September 29, 2002 for the Montreal Expos.