Austin Martin suffered a left hamstring strain during Sunday’s 7-5 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies, adding another concern to the Minnesota Twins’ outfield depth.
Twins manager Derek Shelton said Martin will undergo diagnostic imaging to determine the severity of the injury. Martin entered the game as a defensive replacement before leaving after hurting himself while making a play in the eighth inning.
The injury came as Minnesota completed a three-game sweep at the hands of Philadelphia. The Twins have now gone 4-10 in August and enter Monday 60-65, sitting third in the American League Central.
Martin has been a useful piece for Shelton throughout the season, appearing in 110 games while making 71 starts. He has hit .241 with a .352 on-base percentage, a .333 slugging percentage, three home runs, 23 RBIs and 12 stolen bases.
The 27-year-old has also provided flexibility across the defensive alignment, making his availability important as Minnesota navigates a difficult stretch. His imaging results should provide a clearer indication of how long the Twins could be without him.
Martin’s injury also comes while the Twins continue managing Byron Buxton’s workload following his return from a hip impingement. That makes outfield depth particularly important for Minnesota during the final weeks of the season.
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Twins entered Monday three games behind the Chicago White Sox in the AL Central and just ahead of the Cleveland Guardians. Minnesota will begin a home series against the Atlanta Braves on Monday.
For now, the Twins will wait for the imaging before determining their next move with Martin. The results should clarify whether the hamstring strain requires an extended absence or allows him to return without a lengthy stint on the injured list.
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