Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino avoided a potentially serious injury this week against the Minnesota Twins.
Pasquantino left Tuesday night’s game at Target Field in Minneapolis with a bruised lower left leg. X-rays were negative (good news) and he is considered day to day while recovering.
On Wednesday, before the Royals’ next road series game against the Twins, Pasquantino said he was feeling better.
“I’m available tonight and available tomorrow,” he said. “I hope to be there tomorrow.”
The injury occurred in the third inning of Tuesday’s game when Twins star Byron Buxton collided with Pasquantino en route to first base. Buxton’s foot landed inside the first base line as he attempted to reach the bag.
Royals fans were furious after the play and expressed their frustration on social media.
Pasquantino, however, denied that Buxton was a dirty player.
“First of all, Byron is a good guy,” Pasquantino said. “I played against him for a while, not a whole lot of time, but enough to get to know him a little bit. He is by no means a dirty player. So I know for a fact that this is in no way something he is trying to do.
Replays showed Buxton’s knee collided with Pasquantino’s left leg as he stretched to beat an incoming throw from Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia.
Pasquantino said he watched the play several times. His takeaway: It was a difficult situation for all parties involved.
“The guy was not above base in any way,” Pasquantino said. “He’s digging and he’s trying to get right (to base).
“It’s unfortunate that this happened, and I’m sure he would say the same thing.” I hope we don’t find ourselves in this situation again, for him and for me, because he was also affected.
After the play, Buxton kissed Pasquantino. And he stood up and patted Pasquantino on the shoulder as the Royals first baseman left the game.
The Royals moved team captain Salvador Perez to first base after the fateful play. Nick Loftin started first on Wednesday.
As he suggested, Pasquantino could be used off the bench until he returns to his starting role. He said he regained feeling in his leg after the contact, which occurred near the nerve in his shin and calf.
“He just needs to relieve some pain, but it’s not a long-term thing,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said.
Pasquantino said he received treatment for his injury over the past 24 hours. This helped him regain feeling in his left leg.
“It was different things trying to wake him up,” he said. “I think we did a really good job (treatment).”
Pasquantino said the whole situation is a bit strange, especially now, with bigger bases established in the majors.
He was just grateful that he didn’t suffer any serious injuries in the accident.
“It was just a little weird,” he said. “That’s kind of how it happens.
“It’s an uncomfortable game. I don’t expect to get hit there. And being touched there, losing all sensation, is a bit strange. But (the feeling) came back, so I feel pretty good today.
