Detroit Tigers' Gio Urshela (right hamstring tightness) exits game vs. Twins early
MINNEAPOLIS — Detroit Tigers third baseman Gio Urshela, the only player on the roster with a .300 batting average, exited Friday's series opener against the Minnesota Twins in the top of the second inning with right hamstring tightness.
The severity of the injury is unclear.
The injury occurred when Urshela hit a ground ball back up the middle, with the ball deflecting off right-hander Joe Ryan's glove before rolling to second baseman Edouard Julien.
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Urshela, 32, sprinted down the first-base line, but he was thrown out by Julien's routine throw. He bent over with his hands on his knees after running across the base, then he turned around and limped during his first few steps.
Head athletic trainer Ryne Eubanks escorted Urshela off the field.
Urshela didn't return to play third base on defense in the bottom of the second inning, replaced by Matt Vierling.
The Tigers have one healthy infielder — Buddy Kennedy — in Triple-A Toledo who is a member of the 40-man roster. Infielder Andy Ibáñez has been on the injured list since April 8 with a left hamstring strain, but he isn't close to being activated and will need to complete a rehab assignment before returning.
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Entering Friday, Urshela had a .304 batting average (17-for-56) with one walk and 10 strikeouts in 17 games. His batting average dropped to .298 after the groundout in the second inning.
Both of his extra-base hits are doubles.
Urshela has played 125 innings at third base and one inning at first base this season.
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The Tigers signed Urshela, a nine-year MLB veteran, to a one-year, $1.5 million contract in late February. He was limited to 62 games last season because of a fractured pelvis that ended his season but didn't require surgery.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers' Gio Urshela (right hamstring tightness) exits early
