The Twins introduced this afternoon that they’ve positioned shortstop Carlos Correa and right-hander Chris Paddack on the injured listing. Correa heads to the 10-day IL attributable to proper plantar fasciitis, retroactive to July 16. Paddack, in the meantime is heading to the 15-day IL (retroactive to July 17) with a proper forearm pressure. In corresponding strikes, second baseman Edouard Julien has been recalled from Triple-A, whereas utility bat Austin Martin has been activated from the IL.
That Correa is coping with a bout of plantar fasciitis in his proper foot isn’t information, because it was introduced previous to the All-Star Break that the shortstop wouldn’t take part within the All-Star recreation as a result of concern. It appears he’ll want extra time to relaxation his ailing foot, nevertheless, as he’s now shelved till no less than July 26. Plantar fasciitis is mostly thought-about to be a matter of ache tolerance, so it’s unlikely that Correa will stay shelved till it’s absolutely healed. Even so, it’s not essentially a shock that he and the Twins are taking the problem severely given his struggles whereas enjoying by the problem in his left foot final yr. Whereas Correa performed in 135 video games final yr, he posted a below-average 96 wRC+ whereas defensive metrics steered that his usually glorious protection at shortstop slipped.
That decline in efficiency whereas enjoying by the damage clearly steered to the Twins and Correa that it could be greatest for everybody if he took extra time to relaxation his ailing foot earlier than returning to the lineup, although it’s price noting that supervisor Rocco Baldelli instructed reporters (together with The Athletic’s Aaron Gleeman) that Correa’s absence isn’t anticipated to require “a number of weeks to a month,” with the membership anticipating his return ahead of that. For now, nevertheless, Correa has acquired a platelet-rich plasma injection in his foot and can look to recuperate whereas Gleeman relays that Willi Castro will get nearly all of reps at shortstop in his absence.
With Castro dealing with shortstop frequently and Brooks Lee protecting for the injured Royce Lewis at third base, the Twins are calling on Julien to take again over on the keystone. The 25-year-old posted a pedestrian 97 wRC+ in his sophomore season throughout 58 video games earlier than being optioned all the way down to the minors, the place he has subsequently impressed with a 114 wRC+ and an eye-popping 21.2% stroll charge. Julien will likely be joined by Martin, who can present a right-handed complement to him at second base whereas additionally backing up the membership’s outfield combine.
As for Paddack, the right-hander’s first full season again from his second Tommy John surgical procedure has been a troublesome one. He’s battled damage points to make 17 begins this season, though even when wholesome sufficient to take the mound he’s struggled to a 4.99 ERA regardless of stable peripherals corresponding to a 4.19 FIP and a 4.09 SIERA. Regardless of these peripherals, nevertheless, Paddack’s efficiency has seen him strike out a career-low 20.6% of batters confronted whereas producing much less grounders than ever earlier than, a clip of simply 37.3%. Whereas forearm points are considerably alarming for a pitcher who has already gone underneath the knife for Tommy John surgical procedure twice, Baldelli steered to reporters (together with Gleeman) that the membership isn’t notably involved, believing that the issue is a muscle pressure that can heal up with relaxation.
Even when Paddack is again in motion in comparatively brief order, nevertheless, the information solely exacerbates Minnesota’s apparent want for assist in the beginning rotation. Whereas Joe Ryan has impressed as a front-of-the-rotation possibility and Bailey Ober’s typical mid-rotation manufacturing is as regular as ever, Pablo Lopez has surprisingly struggled after getting into the season because the membership’s ace following the departure of Sonny Grey over the winter whereas Louie Varland struggled sufficient within the fifth starter position to be demoted to Triple-A. Simeon Woods-Richardson has performed effectively in Varland’s place, however with the likes of Varland and rookie Dave Festa as the most effective choices to step into Paddack’s rotation spot, it’s simple to see why the Twins are reportedly wanting into rental starters forward of the July 30 commerce deadline.
