Report: Carl Pavano injured with ruptured spleen after shoveling snow

Carl Pavano will be out six to eight weeks after rupturing his spleen. (Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

Free-agent pitcher Carl Pavano has suffered a freak injury that could keep him on the sidelines for six to eight weeks.

Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reported Thursday that Pavano suffered a ruptured spleen after slipping and falling while shoveling snow at his home in Vermont. Rosenthal reported that the New York Mets and Colorado Rockies had shown interest in Pavano before the injury.

The 37-year-old Pavano had a 6.00 ERA in 63 innings in 11 starts for the Minnesota Twins last season. He did not pitch after June 1 because of a shoulder problem.

Before last year, Pavano had two solid seasons with the Twins. He finished with 3.75 and 4.30 ERAs in 2010 and 2011, respectively. His time with the Twins came after four high-profile, injury-riddled seasons with the New York Yankees that featured ailments from a bruised buttocks to Tommy John surgery.

Pavano’s agent declined to comment to Rosenthal about his client’s reported injury.