DETROIT -- Twins left-hander Brian Duensing exited his start in the fifth inning on Wednesday after being hit on his left ankle on a line drive by Tigers catcher Alex Avila.

Duensing was diagnosed with a bruised left ankle, and X-rays were negative.

Duensing tried to step forward to field the ball but instead fell to the ground after being hit by the line drive, but catcher Joe Mauer was able to field the ball and throw to first base for the first out of the inning.

He was able to limp off the field but appeared to be in pain as he left the game.

Duensing was pitching well before the injury, as he gave up two runs on four hits over 4 1/3 innings, although Minnesota was trailing, 2-1, when he exited. Those two runs came in the first frame on a bloop two-run double from Prince Fielder.

Right-handed reliever Kyle Waldrop relieved Duensing and walked the first two batters he faced, but was able to get Ryan Raburn to ground into an inning-ending double play.