10:29AM: The Twins have officially announced the moves.
9:14AM: The Twins will activate shortstop Carlos Correa from the 10-day injured list prior to today’s game with the Reds. Outfielder DaShawn Keirsey Jr. will be optioned to Triple-A in the corresponding move.
It has been over two months since Correa last appeared in Minnesota’s lineup, as the three-time All-Star has been sidelined by plantar fasciitis in his right foot. Correa played through a similar injury in his left foot last season and (not coincidentally) struggled through the worst full season of his 10 years in the majors, so both the shortstop and the Twins seemed intent on letting Correa fully heal up before getting back to action.
Though Correa initially stated that this current injury wasn’t as painful as his 2023 plantar fasciitis, the discomfort has continued to linger until this past week, when Correa told MLB.com and other media that a new treatment method had allowed him to walk and run on his right heel. He took part in a live batting practice session on Friday and emerged feeling good enough that the Twins are now comfortable in making a roster move.
After his down year in 2023, Correa rebounded in a big way with one of his best seasons. The shortstop has 13 home runs and a .308/.377/.520 slash line over 317 plate appearances, and had been named to the All-Star team before his plantar fasciitis prevented him from taking part in the Midsummer Classic. Among all players with 300 or more PA, only 11 players have a higher wRC+ than Correa’s 152 mark.
Byron Buxton also has a 142 wRC+ in 339 PA this season, and the slugger was just activated off Minnesota’s IL on Thursday. Needless to say, the returns of Buxton and Correa are an enormous boost to a struggling Twins club that has lost 16 of its last 24 games. Minnesota still holds a 2.5-game lead over the Tigers for the last AL wild card slot, and the Twins could revive their chances at the AL Central title when they visit the first-place Guardians for a big four-game series that begins on Monday.
Max Kepler might be activated from the injured list for that series in Cleveland, as Kepler (out since September 5 due to patellar tendinitis in his left knee) joined Correa in the live BP session on Friday. Some reinforcements could also be coming later in early October on the pitching side, as Chris Paddack had a 20-pitch bullpen session on Friday as he recovers from a left forearm strain. It has also been two months on the shelf for Paddack, but he told the Minneapolis Star Tribune’s Bobby Nightengale Jr. and other reporters that he is aiming to be ready for relief work during the postseason.
Nice! Twins getting healthy in time for the playoff push.
I appreciate humor early in the day.
Why is that funny? If Buxton, Correa and Lewis are all healthy in October they will be a tough team to play.
Inutero the league needs to add two expansion teams and break up the Central, go back to East/West. Rekindle old rivalries. Baseball will be better for it.
Not so much getting healthy as finding ways to manage pain, unfortunately. Don’t think either Buck or C4 are anywhere near full strength.
Lewis, Correa, and Buxton have started together in 17 games this season. 11%
Frustrating trio, 376. Really hope Lewis’ bad luck is in the past.
Been watching the Twins a lot on the Extra Innings package lately. This team seems determined to bomb out of the playoffs. Last night they coughed up a close game to the woeful Reds with an embarrassing late inning collapse.
They still have the 2.5 game lead so I think they’ll make it to October. But they’re stumbling and bumbling all the way.
I think the reality that the Yankees will mop up the floor with them in the playoffs as they’ve done consistently for the past 20+ years is setting in.
Yankees are set up for a bye right now. Doubtful Twins even get to New York.
If they miss the playoffs, Rocco or whoever is actually in charge of game management needs to go. Poor bullpen management and extreme use pinch hitting need to stop.
Who makes it to the playoffs? Twins or Tigers?