In the best of offseason health, Tyler Mahle has a new son & has renewed & improved his breaking pitch.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/twins-tyler-mahle-feeling-healthy-ready-to-put-2022-behind-him/ar-AA17AgSc

I know everyone is sick and tired of talking about injuries or any excuses involved in such, but I simply have to believe the lockout had an enormous affect across the league last year. Nobody was allowed ANY contact whatsoever with coaches or trainers linked to their clubs. I mean, my goodness, there was a story about Buxton's family coming down with covid and he couldn't even speak with anyone from the Twins about meds, test kits, or anything else.

When do we have to be ready? When does ST start? How long of a ST will we have? Am I following a good plan of action since I can't ask anyone? I mean, these guys are professionals, but they are also usually under direct supervision of their clubs staff and trainers to follow a regiment. Gray not only didn't have that, but he was distracted by being a player rep. He wasn't ready when 2023 began. Ober changed his delivery and routine in 2021 to remain healthy and it was accomplished. Then comes the lockout and all the restrictions and he ends up with a serious lower abdominal issue. Fluke? Stuff like this just happens? Or the result of losing his routine and ramp up and assistance that he had for a fully healthy 2021?

Regarding Mahle specifically, he's been very open that he states his shoulder issue/tired arm happened due to all of the above, and then trying to pitch "normal" in regard to pitches and innings. He seemed normal with the Reds, then spent some time on the IL, then looked good when he came back. He looked good his first couple of games with the Twins before OOF!

From everything I've heard and read, there was never any pain. Exams and multiple MRI's showed nothing other than standard/expected inflammation you would see in a ML arm. So until something else happens, I'm in the camp that his explanation is the correct one and he's fine and going to be fine.

Interesting comments, though, about his slider as I wasn't under the impression he had any issues with it. Finding more comfort with it can only be a good thing!

He's out of Cincinnati now, and his career numbers out of there are much better, overall, than they were when pitching at home. He also just turned 28yo in September. There are exceptions, of course, but I believe history shows that a front of the rotation SP hits his stride of stuff and experience coalescing into their best production from ages 27-33. He's just in that sweet spot now.

I'm on record as saying that if he is indeed 100% and ready to go, out of Cincinnati, throwing half his games in Target Field, he will probably be the Twins #1 starter in 2023. And if so, I'm really hoping the Twins are going to be signing him to a 4-5yr extension. The $ should be available.