A nagging hamstring injury threatens to ruin Michael Cuddyer's season.

The slugging prospect has been placed on the disabled list at Class AAA Rochester for a second time after injuring his left hamstring last week.

This time, Cuddyer has been sent to Fort Myers, Fla., for rehabilitation and is out indefinitely.

"We're going to keep him on [the disabled list] this time," said Jim Rantz, the Twins' director of minor leagues. "This kid wants to play so bad. Hamstrings are tough to deal with, and this one has discoloration and everything."

If Cuddyer had stayed healthy, he likely would have been called back to the majors by now. Cuddyer, the ninth overall pick in the 1997 draft, batted .233 with two homers and five RBI for the Twins in 24 games before being sent to Rochester on May 9.

The Red Wings have had 59 scheduled games since then, but Cuddyer has played in only 24, batting .325 with a homer, 12 RBI and a .438 on-base percentage.