The Twins have positioned shortstop Carlos Correa on the seven-day concussion injured checklist. He and outfielder Byron Buxton collided whereas making an attempt to make a catch yesterday and each gamers entered concussion protocol. Per Bobby Nightengale of the Star Tribune, Buxton continues to be within the protocol and there received’t be an replace earlier than tonight’s sport begins. Infielder/outfielder Ryan Fitzgerald has been chosen to take Correa’s place on the roster. To open a 40-man spot, right-hander Michael Tonkin has been transferred to the 60-day injured checklist. Dan Hayes of The Athletic was amongst these to relay the strikes.
Within the sport, Cedric Mullins lofted a pop-up to shallow heart area, as seen on this video from MLB.com. Correa drifted out to get it whereas Buxton charged in. Buxton tried to name off Correa on the final second however Correa wasn’t capable of get out of the best way. The 2 collided with each showing to take a knock on the top. Each have been faraway from the sport and positioned in concussion protocol.
It’s unclear how lengthy Correa is predicted to be out however his well being clearly take precedence in a state of affairs like this. The Twins have Brooks Lee at shortstop tonight and he may see common time there for now. Willi Castro can be an choice however he’s in left area tonight, serving to to cowl on the grass whereas Buxton and Harrison Bader are each banged up.
Though it’s not underneath probably the most nice of circumstances, Fitzgerald will get to the majors for the primary time, simply forward of his thirty first birthday. He has been grinding within the minors for some time, making his skilled debut again in 2018.
He’s by no means actually been on the prospect radar however is having an amazing season. He has taken 148 Triple-A appearances thus far this yr, drawing a stroll in 12.8% of these whereas solely placing out 19.6% of the time. He has 4 house runs and a .328/.426/.528 line, which interprets to a 154 wRC+.
What additionally in all probability appeals to this Twins is his defensively versatility. In his minor league profession, he has performed each place outdoors of the battery. Along with Correa and Buxton, the Twins are additionally working round minor accidents to Bader and Ty France, although the latter is within the lineup tonight. No matter occurs, Fitzgerald ought to be capable to assist them out.
As for Tonkin, this doesn’t change a lot about his standing. He has been on the 15-day injured checklist for the reason that begin of the season as a consequence of a rotator cuff pressure and his 60-day rely will be backdated to that preliminary placement. Meaning he can technically be reinstated as quickly as late Could. He began a rehab task in the course of April however that was just lately shut down, per Hayes. As of that Could eleventh replace, Tonkin had simply skilled a setback as a consequence of tendinitis in his proper bicep and was set to obtain an anti-inflammatory injection.
