Twins Injury Concerns to Monitor in Spring Training

[Cody Christie]

Injuries were the biggest storyline of the 2022 season for the Twins. With spring training beginning, here are the injuries to monitor as the team prepares for the 2023 campaign.

Image courtesy of Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

The Twins were one of the most injured teams throughout the 2022 season. Minnesota overcame these injuries during most of the season to be at the top of the AL Central. Unfortunately, the club ran out of gas (and players) in the second half. Will the injury bug hit the Twins again in 2023? Let’s review the team’s injuries from last season and how they will impact spring training. 

Pitchers
Jorge Alcala: Alcala landed on the injured list five days into the 2022 season with elbow inflammation. He tried to return but suffered a setback in June. In August, the Twins announced he underwent arthroscopic debridement surgery on his throwing elbow. Minnesota expected him to be a vital bullpen arm in 2022, so it will be interesting to see what role he can fill in 2023. He’s expected to be ready to start the season. 

Sonny Gray: Gray had three stints on the injured list last season, including ending the year on the shelf. He missed time in April with a hamstring injury and a pectoral strain in June. His season ended on the IL with a hamstring strain. Minnesota was out of contention, so the team had no reason to rush him back. Gray has failed to pitch more than 150 innings in all but two seasons since 2016 due to injuries. 

Kenta Maeda: Maeda missed the 2022 season recovering from Tommy John surgery. There was some hope he would be able to pitch in the season’s final weeks, but the Twins fell out of contention, and there was no reason to rush him back. Maeda is entering the final year of his contract, so he has a lot to prove on the mound this season. Can teams rely on him to be a starting pitcher moving forward, or is he headed to a bullpen role?

Tyler Mahle: Mahle’s Twins tenure has been overshadowed by injuries. He was limited to four appearances after being acquired by the Twins. Before the trade, Mahle missed 21 days with a right shoulder strain. He came back and made two starts before being moved to the Twins. Minnesota reported that there was no structural damage to the shoulder, and the Twins worked with him on an off-season shoulder regimen. He has a chance to be the team's top pitcher if he can move past his shoulder concerns.   

Bailey Ober: Ober was limited to 11 appearances in 2022 and didn’t make an appearance between June 1 and September 16 because of a groin strain. Throughout his professional career, he hasn’t pitched more than the 108 1/3 innings he threw in 2021. He reached that number in 2021 between the Twins and Saints. If everyone is healthy, there’s a good chance Ober will start the year in the Triple-A rotation. It would be great if Ober can set a new a career high in innings pitched in 2023, but he hasn't been a bastion of health with the Twins.  

Position Players
Byron Buxton: Buxton had a tremendous start to his 2022 campaign on the way to his first All-Star Game appearance. His second half was much more limited while he dealt with a right hip strain and a knee issue. In September, he underwent season-ending arthroscopic knee surgery, which the team considered a cleanup procedure. He is expected to be ready as spring training begins, but injuries have impacted much of Buxton’s career.

Carlos Correa: Correa has played 136 games or more over the last two seasons, so injuries haven’t been a concern in recent seasons. However, Correa’s ankle caused two contracts to fall through this winter. He is also not participating in the World Baseball Classic, but that is tied to his wife expecting their second child in March. Different injuries have marked Correa’s big-league career, but the team will likely be taking good care of his ankle during his remaining Twins tenure. 

Jorge Polanco: During the 2022 season, Polanco missed time with patellar tendonitis before landing on the injured list in early September. He tried to work his way back and played in minor league rehab games before suffering a setback. Polanco should be good to go at the start of spring training, but he is certainly someone to watch. Chronic ankle injuries have also impacted him in multiple seasons.

Alex Kirilloff: Kirilloff missed time the last two seasons with wrist issues. Last season, he dealt with considerable pain while swinging, and the team needed to find a long-term solution. In August, he underwent a season-ending ulnar shortening procedure that is relatively rare for professional athletes. There are a lot of unknowns with this procedure and how well a big-league hitter can recover, although Kirk Gibson is one positive example to give you hope. First base is one of the most critical spots in the team’s line-up, and the club needs Kirilloff to produce at a high level. 

Trevor Larnach: In late June, Larnach underwent a bilateral surgical repair to treat a core muscle strain. At the time, the team thought that he’d miss six weeks, but he never returned in 2022. During the 2021 season, his performance suffered before the Twins demoted him to Triple-A. He later revealed that a hand injury had been bothering him. When healthy, he’s shown tremendous power potential but hasn’t been able to stay on the field.  

Are you worried about any of these injuries? Will the Twins be healthier in 2023? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. 

 

 

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[Nashvilletwin]

Winder, SWR and Varland should get themselves ready - they are going to get lots of chances this season….

[Bigfork Twins Guy]

The two I will be watching most closely is Mahle, primarily due to the fact that nobody has said what exactly was causing his shoulder issue nor what, if anything, they have done to repair it.

The second one is AK because it was a rare procedure, he has had multiple issues with the wrist, and FB is key to how the infield and outfield musical chairs are arranged.

My hope is that all the previously injured players get past their injuries and they all have a good year of development while playing entertaining baseball.

[EGFTShaw]

The ones that concern me are the Mahle and shoulder soreness.  Is this a strength issue?  A breakdown of shoulder components issue?  Mechanics?

AK-47's issues only because of the back-to-back surgeries.  

Most soft tissue issues, (Gray for example), I'm not as concerned about as the new trainer has the onus on him to prevent/minimize these types of injuries.

The last issue that is of concern to me is JP's patellar tendonitis, only because I have had this and it didn't heal quickly.  Although I did NOT have an organization with the staff the Twins have, nor the money JP has to get specialized treatment.

[Rod Carews Birthday]

The AK injury seems very worrisome, although as a previous article pointed out, the procedure has been done successfully before.  Between AK and Larnach, this would seem to be the year that they either take a very large step forward or get passed in the pecking order.  For all of their potential, they have yet to show any solid sustained production at the major league level. 

As for the pitchers, it seems likely that at least one them won't work out (wish I could tell you which) because that's how pitchers go.  My hope is that there is enough depth to anticipate that happening and to be in place to prevent the number five starter from being a dumpster fire. 

 

[Doctor Gast]

IMO the medical training staff has a handle on what to do. They have a specific plan on how they are dealing with how to get Buxton ramped up for MLB. I imagine they have a plan on each one. Hope they also have a good plan to keep all of them fresh & healthy thru the post season.

My biggest question mark is Maeda. He says his 100% but he was never been a big inning pitcher and in '21 his 1st full season w/ the Twins, they over stretched him & he got hurt. Now coming back from 20 months of not facing MLB pitching & surgery. I'm afraid they may try to rush him, which could be counter productive.

[puckstopper1]

While the others are important to have healthy and contributing, to me is begins and ends with Buxton.  What a healthy Buxton brings to this team in terms of offense and defense is enormous.  He could be a top 5 WAR player IF he can stay healthy.

[mnfireman]

The biggest injury concern for me is Buxton, though having Taylor on the roster may alleviate the issue a little. Over the course of his career, the team's winning percentage is .548 in games he plays in, 89 wins per season, including 48-44, .521, last year. In games he starts, the team's winning percentage is .537 for his career, 87 wins per season, including 47-39, .546, last year. Having him in the line-up for 140+ games this year is a must for this team to succeed.

[old nurse]

Lot of strains. No wonder there is a new trainer

[CRF]

Mahle is one to watch closely. He supposedly just had "inflammation" in his shoulder last season. Well, Frankie Montas also had inflammation in his shoulder and was shut down last season. The Yankees just announced that Montas is going under the knife next week for shoulder surgery. No word yet as to exactly what the surgery is. Let's hope Mahle doesn't have the same result. Aside from that, Kirilloff's wrist is also a big concern, and of course we'll need to keep an eye on Buxton too.  

[mnfireman]

From Do-Hyoung Park:

Falvey reaffirmed that Kenta Maeda will not have any restrictions this spring following his recovery from Tommy John surgery, and that Tyler Mahle “feels fantastic” after making some changes to his offseason programming following a visit to Driveline.

[Parfigliano]

34 minutes ago, old nurse said:

Lot of strains. No wonder there is a new trainer

Like the Vikes going from losing numerous one score games to winning them this year with a change in coaching the Twins shall go from many injuries to few this year with a change in trainers.

Hey.  It could happen.

[Karbo]

We can expect Gray will miss time, as he has most of his career. Reports say nothing structural in Mahles shoulder so maybe more conditioning? I believe moving Ober to the pen would allow him better health, as that is a problem for him. Between Varland  & SWR there are 2 guys that could plug in if needed. Buxton has had the worst luck with injuries, so maybe, just maybe his luck will change. I expect a good year for Maeda as so many players in their walk year seem to impress.

[gman]

Jeffers could be added to list missing 10 weeks with a broken thumb. Probably should add Lewis and Paddock to the list also.

[blindeke]

I thought this article was going to be much, much longer.

[ashbury]

I'll be keeping an eye on Kyle Farmer.  He spent time on the Reds paternity list in 2021.  In my experience, there's a chance for this to be a chronic condition that flares up every year or two.

[The Mad King]

Hopefully the new trainers can limit all the soft tissue injuries this season. I still worry about Alcala and Maeda, whether they'll be the same pitchers again. One has to also consider Alcala's mental outlook. If he's not confident in the elbow he won't pitch as well. When he's confident you can see it in his face and he is definitely dangerous when he is.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

The most difficult player to replace is Buck. Therefore I agree with Puckstopper1, it begins and ends with Buck.  However, I worry most about Kirilloff, because his career is at stake, more so than any of the others.  And poor Royce Lewis who has had terrible luck. For all its beauty, baseball can be a cruel  game.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

As long as we are discussing injuries, has anyone else noticed that  Carlos Correa's metal plate in his ankle began to vibrate 4 months and 8 days before the Chinese spy balloon was first sighted over the US?  * I suppose with some of the folks who have been elected to our current congress, I should post a disclaimer and say that I was trying to be funny here.*

[Brandon]

I am trusting the news that AK is fine going into the season so he should be good moving forward as far as his wrist is concerned.  Once we see him on the field we will know with even more certainty but for now I choose to believe the news he is fine.

Buxton is my biggest concern with the knee injury as that can sap his speed.  

Maeda is my second big concern in that his control may not be back and he may be on an innings limit.  

Gray and Ober are more of a when will the knicks get to them and how long they will miss because of them.  I don't expect a serious injury from either but something nagging that will keep them out for a month.  Will that come at an inconvenient time?

I expect Correa's ankle will be fine for a few years.  check back with me in years 4, 5, and 6 of his contract.  

There are always going to be sprains and minor injuries, and we are stacked in depth for them so i am ok with those types of injuries.  just hope to keep the out for the rest of the year injuries to a minimum.  

[chpettit19]

9 hours ago, Bigfork Twins Guy said:

The two I will be watching most closely is Mahle, primarily due to the fact that nobody has said what exactly was causing his shoulder issue nor what, if anything, they have done to repair it.

They've stated that there was nothing structurally wrong with Mahle's shoulder, so nothing was needed to "repair it." He went to Driveline this winter, and made some adjustments to his training program based off that visit. I believe Falvey's exact quote was "he feels fantastic" for whatever you think that's worth.

[chpettit19]

8 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

IMO the medical training staff has a handle on what to do. They have a specific plan on how they are dealing with how to get Buxton ramped up for MLB. I imagine they have a plan on each one. Hope they also have a good plan to keep all of them fresh & healthy thru the post season.

My biggest question mark is Maeda. He says his 100% but he was never been a big inning pitcher and in '21 his 1st full season w/ the Twins, they over stretched him & he got hurt. Now coming back from 20 months of not facing MLB pitching & surgery. I'm afraid they may try to rush him, which could be counter productive.

The bolded part is simply wrong. He has seasons of 193, 215.2, 216, 206.1, 175.2, 187, 206.1, and 175.2 under his belt. The year before he came to the Twins he threw 153.2 innings which would've lead the 2022 Twins staff. There were actually only 62 pitchers who threw at least 150 innings in the majors last year. He's certainly shown the ability to throw 150+ innings in both Japan and the US.

[chpettit19]

9 hours ago, Bigfork Twins Guy said:

The second one is AK because it was a rare procedure, he has had multiple issues with the wrist, and FB is key to how the infield and outfield musical chairs are arranged.

9 hours ago, EGFTShaw said:

AK-47's issues only because of the back-to-back surgeries.  

37 minutes ago, Brandon said:

I am trusting the news that AK is fine going into the season so he should be good moving forward as far as his wrist is concerned.  Once we see him on the field we will know with even more certainty but for now I choose to believe the news he is fine.

For those curious about AK's wrist (I think that's really all of us) here's a video of him taking some cuts a couple days ago! They look way more comfortable than the swings we saw right before his season ended last year. So hopefully the swing stays this way and we finally get to see what he can do in a full season!

On a side note, the sound of the crack of the bat is so refreshing! Love this time of year.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

I get the consternation w/ Kirilloff, but the surgery wasn’t as “ground breaking” or unheard of as some posters are fearing. Yes, it’s serious, every surgery is, just like Sano’s rod in his leg or Correa’s plate in his ankle. They were serious surgeries, but successful.

not to downplay the seriousness of AK’s surgery, I’m sure it’s been a difficult recovery, and swinging a bat adds complexity, but my dog had that surgery 13 years ago. He was walking on that foreleg in a cast in two weeks and back to normal in 6. If it’s done to dogs by veterinarians, the top notch surgeons that care for pro athletes should be good hands to be in.

[Elliot]

If all of the pitchers are healthy (a big if for every team not just the Twins), I think the best move is to put Maeda into the BP. He has a lot of experience there during his Dodger years. In addition, it would probably help limit his innings total and overall workload. Switching between starting and relieving can be very difficult, especially for young pitchers. The difference in mindset and day to day prep seems to mess with some younger players. Ober, Winder, Sands, and others are currently potential MLB starters, one of the most valuable commodities in a system. Switching a young pitcher is generally not a temporary move  Duran, Jax, and others are not moving back to the rotation. You hear the theory that teams should use them to reinforce the bullpen early in their careers and then return them to the rotation later. I am sure there are examples of that working, but I can think of a number of situations where it didn’t go well. Moving back and forth seems to be tough on arms and careers. 

More than likely health concerns will dictate who  breaks camp in the starting rotation. But if not, my preference is to see Maeda in the pen rather than one of the younger players, unless the decision makers clearly see no future as a starter for the youngster. 

[Whitey333]

Buxton is not a worry.  He is entering year 8 with the Twins.  He's only played one full season in his previous 7.  That was 140 games in 2017.  To count your seasons success on his availability if foolish   IF he is healthy and IF he plays a full season, and IF he performs at a high level with high level results it will be a luxury not an expectation.  The Twins do need him to be successful but he's not the only player on the team.

 

[Fire Dan Gladden]

20 hours ago, ashbury said:

I'll be keeping an eye on Kyle Farmer.  He spent time on the Reds paternity list in 2021.  In my experience, there's a chance for this to be a chronic condition that flares up every year or two.

Ashbury wins the Comment of the Week Award!