MINNEAPOLIS — Right-hander Nick Blackburn left the Twins' game against Texas in the fifth inning Saturday with right posterior shoulder stiffness and is listed as day-to-day.
He is scheduled to undergo a magnetic resonance imaging exam, so the Twins should know more before their game Sunday.
"We're giving him an MRI, so there's some concern," Twins general manager Terry Ryan said after Saturday's game. "I'll be able to give you more (Sunday)."
Blackburn exited the game with a 2-1 count on David Murphy. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, pitching coach Rick Anderson and athletic trainer Dave Pruemer all went to the mound, but Blackburn left without much discussion.
Ryan believes Blackburn's injury occurred on one pitch. Blackburn threw to first base a few times with Murphy at the plate and ended up leaving the game after the third pitch of the at-bat.
"He cramped up. I guess that might develop over time, but I don't think there's that much concern," Ryan said. "I don't want to get out ahead of this thing until we get the results later this afternoon or tomorrow."
If Blackburn's injury is anything serious, it's more bad news for Minnesota, which is already without right-hander Scott Baker for the season. Baker will soon undergo surgery on his right elbow that will force him to miss the season.
Blackburn went 5-1/3 innings Saturday, allowing two runs on seven hits. He struck out three and walked one. He also surrendered a solo home run to Josh Hamilton in the third inning. Left-hander Brian Duensing replaced Blackburn, retired the first two batters he faced and left Nelson Cruz stranded at first base.
Blackburn had a solid spring for the Twins, posting a 2.12 ERA with 12 strikeouts and four walks in 17 innings of Grapefruit League action. He allowed five runs on five hits in his first start of the 2012 season but pitched better than the box score indicated.
"He was pitching well," Ryan said. "There's no doubt that he was giving us every opportunity to win that game. . . . But hopefully he's not hurt. We don't need that."
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