The Minnesota Twins have suffered a significant setback as they placed both Carlos Correa and Chris Paddack on the injured list. The move comes despite the team’s optimistic outlook following a brief mid-season break.
Correa’s Condition
All-Star shortstop Carlos Correa is now wearing a walking boot on his right foot after receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection in his heel, according to Twins manager Rocco Baldelli. This marks Correa’s second stint on the injured list this season. The injury, diagnosed as plantar fasciitis, is a recurring issue for Correa, who dealt with a similar problem in the other foot last season. Baldelli remains hopeful, stating, “We don’t think [he will miss] several weeks to a month. We think it’s going to be shorter than that.”
Paddack’s Setback
Chris Paddack, who has contributed significantly to the Twins with 11 victories this season, is also headed back to the injured list after experiencing pain in his right elbow. This is the same elbow that has twice undergone Tommy John surgery. However, Baldelli reassures fans that the ligament appears fine and attributes the pain to a muscle strain that should heal.
Roster Adjustments
To mitigate the impact of these injuries, the Twins have activated Austin Martin from the injured list and recalled Edouard Julien from Class AAA St. Paul. Julien was immediately placed in Saturday’s lineup against Milwaukee.
Baldelli also provided updates on other injured players. Byron Buxton returned to center field after missing games due to a bruised right elbow. Meanwhile, Jose Miranda, who has been dealing with a lower back issue, is recovering but may require a rehab stint before rejoining the team. Royce Lewis, out for three weeks with an adductor strain, could join the Saints soon.
Filling the Gaps
With Correa sidelined, Willi Castro is expected to take over at shortstop, while Julien will handle second base, and Brooks Lee will remain at third. As for Paddack’s spot in the rotation, a replacement will be called up by Wednesday for the series finale against Philadelphia. David Festa, who made the last two fill-in starts for Paddack, is a potential candidate.
Lewis’ Progress
Royce Lewis has been diligently working on his recovery during the break, staying in Minnesota to continue his rehabilitation. He expressed readiness to return, saying, “I felt really good running. Everything’s going good, so we’re taking it day by day.”
Logistical Challenges
Travel disruptions due to recent flight cancellations have also impacted the Twins. Injured infielder Kyle Farmer is currently unable to return from Georgia. Joe Ryan and Jhoan Duran managed to make it to Target Field just before Saturday’s game, despite needing to rebook their flights. Assistant athletic trainer Masa Abe is still stuck in Japan, waiting for a standby flight.
Saints Update
Meanwhile, the St. Paul Saints continue to perform well. Anthony Prato had a standout game with three hits, including a triple, and drove in four runs in their 11-3 victory over Toledo. Adam Plutko pitched 5⅓ innings, giving up two runs on six hits and striking out six.
The Twins are hopeful that their injured players will recover swiftly and rejoin the team as they navigate the challenges ahead.
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