The Twins introduced Wednesday that they’ve positioned shortstop Carlos Correa on the 10-day injured listing (hyperlink by way of Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press). Correa was recognized with plantar fasciitis in his left foot again in Could and has been taking part in by way of the damage all through the 2023 season. It flared up earlier this week and compelled him from Monday’s recreation in Cincinnati. He’ll be sidelined by way of a minimum of subsequent Friday now. Outfielder Trevor Larnach is up from Triple-A St. Paul to take his spot on the energetic roster.
Correa, 28, hit .291/.366/.467 in his first season with the Twins final 12 months however has seen his manufacturing dip to .230/.312/.399 in 2023 whereas taking part in by way of that ailment. He’s nonetheless performed sturdy protection at shortstop, and that batting line is “solely” about 4 p.c shy of league common, by measure of wRC+, however Minnesota clearly had greater hopes for the previous Platinum Glove winner and two-time All-Star when signing him to a six-year, $200MM contract over the winter. Notably, the plantar fasciitis is in Correa’s left foot, which isn’t the identical foot/leg that sparked the appreciable offseason drama, led to a number of failed physicals, and ultimately paved the best way for his return to the Twins.
The timing of the damage is clearly unlucky for the Twins, who’re closing in on formally securing the American League Central title and punching their postseason ticket. There’s nonetheless time for Correa to be again with the membership a number of days previous to the start of the playoffs, and that’ll be the group’s hope — notably since Correa had been trending up on the dish. Correa had maybe his worst month of the season in August however is batting .296/.377/.463 (136 wRC+) because the calendar flipped to September.
Minnesota’s damage woes don’t finish there, nevertheless. The Twins noticed breakout rookie Royce Lewis exit yesterday’s recreation with discomfort in his left hamstring. The 24-year-old former No. 1 total choose hobbled a bit after making an attempt to beat a grounder, and he exited the sport throughout his subsequent plate look after tweaking one thing on a foul ball swing (hyperlink by way of MLB.com’s Do-Hyoung Park).
Up to now, there’s no indication Lewis would require a visit to the injured listing, although the Twins will certainly train warning. The longtime high prospect returned from his second ACL tear in as a few years this season and has been among the many greatest hitters within the American League when wholesome, batting .309/.372/.548 with 15 dwelling runs in 239 plate appearances. Lewis has seized the on a regular basis job at third base and proven a aptitude for the dramatic, just lately connecting on his fourth grand slam in a span of simply three weeks.
Not coincidentally, a Minnesota lineup that has struggled with inconsistency all through the season has finished its greatest work in September, with each Lewis and Correa acting at excessive ranges. The Twins are averaging 4.7 runs per recreation on the 12 months however are tied with the Orioles for the MLB lead with 112 runs in 18 video games this month (6.2 runs per recreation). With Correa sidelined and Lewis banged up, the Twins will possible flip to Kyle Farmer and Willi Castro at shortstop. Each gamers are choices at third base as effectively, as is veteran Donovan Solano (who’s spent extra time at first base this 12 months).
