X-rays have been detrimental on Kenta Maeda’s left ankle after the Twins starter was hit by Jarren Duran line drive on Thursday, although it stays unclear whether or not Maeda will nonetheless require a stint on the 15-day injured checklist. The staff plans on pushing again Maeda’s subsequent flip within the rotation and reporters (together with MLB.com’s Do-Hyoung Park) have been advised that extra on Maeda’s situation ought to be recognized after he goes by means of a light-weight throwing session on Saturday and a subsequent Monday bullpen session.
Bailey Ober is being referred to as up on Sunday for a spot begin in Minnesota’s recreation with the Nationals, thus pushing again the remainder of the Twins rotation and offering a bit extra time for Maeda to get well. If Maeda is ready to return with out actual setback, he would determine to take the mound sooner or later throughout the Twins’ four-game sequence with the Royals (April 27-30).
Maeda missed all the 2022 season because of Tommy John surgical procedure and the outcomes of his first three begins this season have been considerably combined. Past the apparent detrimental of the ankle bruise, Maeda has been permitting a regarding quantity of onerous contact, his 23.1 % strikeout charge is barely above the league common and his fastball velocity has dropped to 89.9 MPH from his earlier profession common of 91.2 MPH (although velo has by no means been an enormous a part of Maeda’s arsenal). On the plus facet, he has posted a 4.15 ERA over 13 innings, with an elite-level chase charge and stroll charge — the right-hander has issued only one stroll as of this posting.
In different harm information, Alex Kirilloff has but to play this season, as the previous star prospect opened the season on the 10-day IL whereas nonetheless recovering from the campaign-ending wrist surgical procedure he underwent final August. Kirilloff is nearing the top of his 20-day minor league rehab project, however The Athletic’s Aaron Gleeman studies that some staff officers really feel he gained’t instantly be a part of the Twins’ huge league roster as soon as activated from the IL, as he as a substitute could possibly be optioned to Triple-A.
Kirilloff has performed in solely seven minor league video games throughout his rehab project and didn’t see any recreation motion throughout spring coaching. In consequence, the Twins would possibly really feel he merely wants extra time to totally ramp as much as face MLB pitching — though Kirilloff has been hitting very effectively throughout his restricted minor league at-bats. The returns of Jorge Polanco and Joey Gallo from the injured checklist have helped bolster the Twins’ lineup. And in Gallo’s case particularly, he has been enjoying first base — ostensibly Kirilloff’s place when he finally will get again to the Present. Since Minnesota has no evident want within the lineup and naturally desires to be cautious with Kirilloff given his historical past of wrist points, it might imply a extra prolonged stint at Triple-A.
Talking of harm histories, Byron Buxton has fortunately remained off the injured checklist so far in 2023, which could possibly be partially because of the Twins’ deployment of the outfielder has a full-time designated hitter. Buxton has but to play within the subject this season. Supervisor Rocco Baldelli advised reporters (together with John Shipley of the St. Paul Pioneer Press) that he didn’t know when or essentially even when Buxton can be again within the outfield.
“I’m having fun with the truth that I get to write down his identify within the lineup just about every single day proper now. And at this level, I’m not going to do something to jeopardize that, as a result of I feel that’s an important factor,” Baldelli stated.
For his half, Buxton admitted that the DH function stays a “job that’s not regular for me” and “one thing [he’s] determining.” Nevertheless, Buxton additionally stated, understandably, “so long as I’m enjoying, that don’t faze me.”
Buxton has been strong if unspectacular on the plate so far this season, hitting .243/.316/.443 with three homers over 79 plate appearances, which interprets to a 113 wRC+.
