BY CARA LaBRIE
Pioneer Press

Two Twins minor leaguers were injured Sunday in a bus
accident 90 miles east of Caracas, Venezuela.

Horacio Estrada, who pitched a no-hitter for the Class
AA New Britain Rock Cats last season, and Josmir
Romero, who also pitched for New Britain, were
passengers in their Venezuelan league team's three-bus
convoy. The pitchers were in a minibus that was hit by
a car, killing the driver of the car and injuring two
passengers.

The Associated Press reported that Estrada broke his
leg and that Romero and Raul Marcano, a teammate on
the bus, suffered minor injuries.

"We're still trying to figure out exactly what the
injuries are," Twins assistant general manager Bill
Smith said.

Smith declined to comment on the impact the accident
could have on the Twins' plans for Estrada and Romero
until more information came from Venezuela.

Estrada, 27, whose brother Asdrubal works for the
Twins at their Venezuelan academy, was signed by the
Twins last July 8 and pitched briefly for the
Milwaukee Brewers. He was expected to report to minor
league camp March 6.

The other two buses in the convoy were not involved in
the accident.



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