We already coated Erasmo Ramirez’s long-term shoulder points in bigger element earlier tonight, however Twins coach Nick Paparesta’s assembly with reporters (together with MLB.com and La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune) additionally addressed the standing of a number of different gamers.
Proper-hander Michael Tonkin appears to be the most recent participant bitten by the damage bug, because the reliever is battling a pressure in his proper rotator cuff. The pressure seems to be on the delicate aspect, as Paparesta mentioned Tonkin’s MRI got here again clear. For now, Tonkin can be shut down for the following 7-10 days after which re-evaluated.
Tonkin tossed 79 1/3 mixed innings with the Yankees, and two separate stints apiece between the Mets and Twins. Starting the season on the Amazins’ roster, Tonkin went from the Mets to the Twins to the Mets to the Yankees after which lastly again to Minnesota after being repeatedly designated for project after which traded or claimed on waivers. Amidst all of those strikes, Tonkin delivered strong numbers, posting a 3.63 ERA, 25% strikeout fee, and eight.8% stroll fee.
These outcomes continued what has been a reasonably profitable second act to Tonkin’s large league profession. After showing in elements of 5 seasons with the Twins from 2013-17, Tonkin didn’t return to the majors once more till 2023, as his interim years had been spent pitching within the minor leagues, Nippon Skilled Baseball, impartial ball, and sitting out altogether throughout the pandemic-marred 2020 season. The 35-year-old entered Minnesota’s spring camp in search of extra stability and to safe a job within the Twins bullpen, although this damage setback might damage his possibilities of making the Opening Day roster.
Matt Canterino is sadly no stranger to accidents, because the 2019 second-round choose has seen his professional profession repeatedly stalled by arm issues. Between a Tommy John surgical procedure after which a rotator cuff pressure, Canterino hasn’t pitched in any respect since 2022, and he now faces an appointment with Dr. Keith Meister this week within the wake of one other shoulder pressure.
The precise severity of Canterino’s newest damage gained’t be identified till the right-hander undergoes an inner dye process generally known as an MR arthogram. By way of what the crew is aware of in the mean time, Paparesta mentioned “final 12 months [Canterino] had a reasonably reasonable proper subscap pressure. This 12 months it’s a little little bit of a milder subscap with a extra reasonable pressure of his teres main and latissimus dorsi.”
The underside line is that even in a best-case analysis, Canterino is probably going dealing with one other prolonged absence as he tries to place this newest damage behind him. Canterino has pitched solely 85 skilled innings, although his spectacular numbers (1.48 ERA, 39.16% strikeout fee) trace his potential if he can simply keep wholesome.
Justin Topa’s professional profession has additionally been closely impacted by accidents, together with left knee issues that restricted him to solely three video games with Minnesota in 2024. His work in camp was halted by soreness in his proper shoulder, although Paparesta mentioned the issue wasn’t extreme sufficient to advantage an MRI, and Topa might resume throwing as early as immediately.
Prime prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez additionally appears to be making progress from a sprained ankle, as Rodriguez took half in a dwell batting observe yesterday. Past simply the restoration from his ankle sprain, the BP session additionally seemingly supplied Rodriguez some aid from the thumb issues that plagued him for many of 2024. Rodriguez underwent surgical procedure on his thumb again in November, and Paparesta mentioned that following batting observe, Rodriguez commented that “it didn’t damage for the primary time in seven months” after swinging and lacking.
Rodriguez is may see some recreation motion as early as this week, if he is ready to run the bases with out challenge. With solely seven Triple-A video games below his belt, Rodriguez is anticipated to start the 2025 marketing campaign within the minors, however all indicators level to the outfielder making his MLB debut in some unspecified time in the future throughout the coming season.
