Alex Kirilloff #76 of the Minnesota Twins singles in the fourth inning of his Major League debut against the Houston Astros during Game Two of the American League Wildcard series at Target Field on September 30, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. ((Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images))
MINNEAPOLIS - The Minnesota Twins continue their series against the Texas Rangers Wednesday night at Target Field, and while they’re getting a first baseman back, they’re losing an outfielder for an extended time.
The Twins announced Wednesday they’ve reinstated Miguel Sano from the 10-day injured list. Sano hurt his hamstring during the first game of a doubleheader against the Oakland Athletics back on April 20. He’s had a slow start to the 2021 season, hitting just .111 with two home runs four RBI and 20 strikeouts in 15 games. He's back after missing the last 12 games.
"My hamstring feels good. I feel really good, so we'll see tonight what happens and we're ready to go," Sano said.
The Twins also placed outfielder Alex Kirilloff on the 10-day injured list with a sprained right wrist. Kiriloff hurt the wrist sliding into second. The 23-year-old is a former first round pick and a consensus top-50 prospect in all of baseball. After an 0-for-15 start to the season, Kirilloff hit four home runs in the Twins’ series against the Kansas City Royals last weekend. He also hit a pair of doubles Monday night against the Rangers.
Kirilloff saw a specialist for his wrist on Wednesday, and will travel with the Twins to Detroit this weekend to see another speciliast.
"We’ve got to wait and see. I would say on the optimistic side. AK, he’s going to get treated continuously by the trainers. He was already asking when we think he can try to swing a bat. Normally if a guy is in pain, that’s not one of the first questions you’re going to hear from someone, so that’s a good sign I would say," Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said before Wednesday's game.
Over the last seven games, Kirilloff was hitting .321 with seven extra base hits and 11 RBI. There is no timetable for his return, and Baldelli said Tuesday the injury didn't appear to be minor.
The Twins are also without utility infielder Luis Arraez, who is on the injured list with a concussion after a collision at home plate Monday night. The Twins recalled Lewis Thorpe, who will start Wednesday night’s game. Brandon Waddell, who gave up three runs in the 10th inning of the Twins’ 6-3 loss Tuesday night, was optioned to the team’s alternate site at CHS Field in St. Paul.
The Twins are 11-17 and in fourth place in the American League Central Division.