Ranking the Twins' Current Injury Concerns

[Cody Christie]

For the first time this season, Minnesota is reeling and trying to figure out someway to stop their recent losing streak. One reason for their mounting loses could be the plethora of injuries the team has already been facing. There are five players currently on the injured list, so which injuries are most concerning to the team’s success this season?The Twins are nearly guaranteed a playoff in MLB’s restructured playoff format. It would take a massive collapse over the rest of the season for the Twins to finish out of the playoff picture. That being said, Minnesota needs to get healthy and be playing well over the course of the next month.

 

Here’s how the Twins rank in relation to their current injury concerns:

 

5. Homer Bailey, RHP

Injury: Biceps

Bailey hasn’t pitched over 200 innings since the 2013 campaign as he has dealt with a multitude of injuries. He rebounded last year to post a 4.57 ERA and a 149 to 53 strike out to walk ratio in 163 1/3 innings. As of this weekend, Rocco Baldelli told reporters that Bailey hadn’t resumed throwing. Even with these concerns, Bailey was always going to be penciled in near the back of the Twins rotation. Luckily, Randy Dobnak’s continued success has made it easier to handle Bailey’s absence from the rotation.

 

4. Jake Odorizzi, RHP

Injury: Back Strain

Odorizzi made his first start of the season over the weekend and he allowed two earned runs on four hits over three innings. Back injuries can be tricky and it’s certainly easy for them to flare up with little to no notice. Odorizzi will be a free agent at season’s end so he is going to want to prove his value on the field this season. He has already missed multiple starts this season and it will be tough for him to prove his value if his back flares up.

 

3. Rich Hill, LHP

Injury: Shoulder

Hill hasn’t been a workhorse in his career as he has only pitch more than 140 innings once in his career. However, he has been one of baseball’s best pitchers when he has been able to be on the mound and he has made 12 postseason starts. Even if he misses multiple starts, Hill might be able to come back and be a strong pitcher down the stretch and help the Twins to win in October. He turned 40 back in March and any injury at his age is a concern.

 

2. Luis Arraez, 2B

Injury: Knee

So far this season, Arraez clearly hasn’t been himself at the plate as he is hitting .233/.320/.256 (.576) with one extra-base hit. He left one of the team’s intersquad when his knee was bothering him. He missed two games at the end of last week, but he was back in the line-up over the weekend. Arraez and others talked about the possibility of him hitting .400 this season, but the Twins would likely be happy with him getting closer to where he was hitting in his rookie season. This seems like an injury that could be nagging throughout the season even if he continues to play.

 

1. Josh Donaldson, 3B

Injury: Calf

Dondaldson has a history of calf injuries and this might have been one of the reasons more teams weren’t interested in his services on the free agent market. Minnesota was well aware of his previous injury history when they signed him, but that’s the risk a team takes when signing a player his age to a multi-year contract. Donaldson knows his body well and his routines include preparing his calves to be ready for the riggers of the season. The Twins need him ready for the end of September and the team’s possible postseason run.

 

Which injury concerns you the most? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.

 

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[mikelink45]

I would say Donaldson, but having three pitchers on the list - one of them has to count the most.

 

[tarheeltwinsfan]

Donaldson came up to the big leagues as a catcher, which meant lots of catching in the minors. I'm very concerned about a former catcher with recurrent calf issues.

[rdehring]

Hill concerns me the most as he has the potential to make a real difference come the playoffs...assuming they exist and we make them.

 

We are what, three weeks away from Pineda being eligible to return. Does anyone know what he is doing right now? I assume he is at St. Paul and throwing, but have no idea if that is in fact true.

 

 

[dex8425]

When are we going to see Duran make a start? 

[Trov]

Hill or Odo concerns me the most.  We have a deep lineup, that may not be clicking right now but we have guys that can replace and move around.  Donaldson was not clicking when he got hurt anyways.  However, as the season goes on missing hill or if odo goes down again will start to pile up with struggles of Berrios.  Most offense is down, but the last trip through rotation there was poor pitching and unless our offense can get it going we could be in trouble. 

[gil4]

Donaldson concerns me the most because of the contract.  Odo is next. I never considered Hill more than a roll of the dice with his age and most recent surgery. 

[ashbury]

I would say Donaldson, but having three pitchers on the list - one of them has to count the most.

You summed up my reason for not posting sooner in this thread.

 

[DocBauer]

I would slide Donaldson back only because the lineup, despite struggles currently, is good enough. Marwin and Adrianza help cover the position. Blankenhorn COULD help, and now we have another utility option with the Vargas move for depth.

 

Pick a pitcher for #1. Oddo back and at least throwing would probably slide him down a spot. Hill back and ready for half of a half season and the playoffs is probably my #1.

[TwinPeaks]

I don't know, but we at least need two of Hill, Bailey and Odorizzi healthy, because the reliever games sap the bullpens energy.    If not, I'd prefer bringing up Duran, who might make quality starts just because the hitters are unfamiliar, if nothing else.  Balazovic should be on the 60 man, too, and it's curious that he isn't.   You can never have enough starting pitching, as we are finding out.