The Twins will formally activate shortstop Carlos Correa from the 10-day injured record previous to in the present day’s sport with the Reds. Outfielder DaShawn Keirsey Jr. will probably be optioned to Triple-A within the corresponding transfer.
It has been over two months since Correa final appeared in Minnesota’s lineup, because the three-time All-Star has been sidelined by plantar fasciitis in his proper foot. Correa performed by way of an analogous damage in his left foot final season and (not coincidentally) struggled by way of the worst full season of his 10 years within the majors, so each the shortstop and the Twins appeared intent on letting Correa absolutely heal up earlier than getting again to motion.
Although Correa initially acknowledged that this present damage wasn’t as painful as his 2023 plantar fasciitis, the discomfort has continued to linger till this previous week, when Correa advised MLB.com and different media {that a} new remedy methodology had allowed him to stroll and run on his proper heel. He took half in a stay batting apply session on Friday and emerged feeling ok that the Twins are actually comfy in making a roster transfer.
After his down 12 months in 2023, Correa rebounded in a giant means with one in all his finest seasons. The shortstop has 13 residence runs and a .308/.377/.520 slash line over 317 plate appearances, and had been named to the All-Star group earlier than his plantar fasciitis prevented him from collaborating within the Midsummer Basic. Amongst all gamers with 300 or extra PA, solely 11 gamers have the next wRC+ than Correa’s 152 mark.
Byron Buxton additionally has a 142 wRC+ in 339 PA this season, and the slugger was simply activated off Minnesota’s IL on Thursday. For sure, the returns of Buxton and Correa are an infinite enhance to a struggling Twins membership that has misplaced 16 of its final 24 video games. Minnesota nonetheless holds a 2.5-game lead over the Tigers for the final AL wild card slot, and the Twins may revive their probabilities on the AL Central title after they go to the first-place Guardians for a giant four-game sequence that begins on Monday.
Max Kepler is likely to be activated from the injured record for that sequence in Cleveland, as Kepler (out since September 5 as a consequence of patellar tendinitis in his left knee) joined Correa within the stay BP session on Friday. Some reinforcements may be coming later in early October on the pitching facet, as Chris Paddack had a 20-pitch bullpen session on Friday as he recovers from a left forearm pressure. It has additionally been two months on the shelf for Paddack, however he advised the Minneapolis Star Tribune’s Bobby Nightengale Jr. and different reporters that he’s aiming to be prepared for reduction work through the postseason.