It looks like it will be more than 15 days on the disabled list for Miguel Sano, according to Minnesota Twins GM Terry Ryan. Danny Santana’s hamstring isn’t as bad, and Kyle Gibson will throw around 90 pitches for Triple-A Rochester on Sunday in Louisville.
Sano’s ‘moderate’ hamstring strain
“It’s not mild; it’s moderate. That’s what that means,” said Ryan when asked for clarification. Ryan says that he thinks that the injury will keep him sidelined for more than 15 days, but would not give a specific return date.
“It’s not gonna be a 15-day ordeal, but I’m hoping, with a lot of work, and effort and some luck, maybe we’ll get him back … I don’t know,” he said. “I’m not sure what to tell you about when. I can’t put a date on it because I know what’ll happen: If I’m not right on, you guys will let me know”
Sano had a right hamstring injury last year, but did not got on the DL. Ryan says that he would not return any quicker if he was the designated hitter, rather than playing in right field.
“He played through it last year, which was pretty impressive,” said Ryan. “He’s well aware we were hoping that he’s gotta get to work and make sure he gives us every opportunity to get him back as soon as we can.”
As far as the reports of internal bleeding, Dr. John A. Steubs, the Twins director of medical services, says that that is normal in cases of a moderate hamstring strain.
Santana’s hamstring
“His isn’t as severe,” said Ryan. “I think he’s got a chance at 15 days.”
Santana, a player who uses his speed to play multiple infield positions as well as in center field, was put on the DL with a left hamstring injury earlier in the month, meaning he’s injured both his hamstrings recently.
“It’s always a concern. I don’t know if this is habitual, because I don’t remember him having hamstring issues in the minor leagues much, if at all,” said Ryan. “So I’m not … it happened, and I don’t know why that would be with him all of a sudden. That’s two in a month.”
“It certainly makes you aware of it,” he added, “and he ought to be aware of it to make sure he doesn’t stretch it, and all thing things that come with making those things flexible enough to be able to play.”
Gibson’s rehab
Gibson should be able to throw 90 pitches for Triple-A Rochester in Louisville on Sunday, said Ryan. It should be his only rehab stint.
“This’ll probably be a good thing in disguise, because he’s going up, we’ll stretch him out, plus he’s pitching against better competition,” said Ryan. “A ball is a little different than Triple-A. This isn’t gonna be all that bad of a deal, for all of us involved, because we can get him stretched out. He’ll have a little bit better competition and challenge on his hands down there in Triple-A.”
Hughes trying to bounce back
His record betrays him a little bit, because Hughes pitched well early in the season but received little run support. Lately, however, he’s struggled with his velocity and command, and he was briefly placed in the bullpen.
“His velocity is down, but it’s not down dramatically. It’s a mile (per hour) or two, okay. But you can pitch up here at 90,” said Ryan. “I think most of it’s confidence. His confidence is wavering.”
Ryan noted that Hughes is not throwing many curveballs for strikes — this much is obvious to anyone who tracks these things. He’s moved away from the curveball, and hitters are either attacking his fastball or sitting on his cutter.
“His fastball command is not where it needs to be, and he didn’t get enough of the breaking balls over, and consequently they can sit on that cutter. Everybody knows he throws a cutter,” said Ryan.
“There’s no doubt (he can refine the command). There are people … it comes and goes, and it’s just like hitters being in slumps, he’s in a slump right now too.”
For reference, Hughes went 6.0-plus innings in his first four starts. He has only done so twice since then, with a 2.0-inning start and three other outings where he went less than five innings.
“I think you have to be careful about how many people start putting their two cents in there,” said Ryan, noting that interim pitching coach Eric Rasmussen, manager Paul Molitor, bullpen coach Eddie Guardado will all be in his ear, as well as his teammates, agent and other people close to him.
“It’s easy to watch and say, ‘Your command is not there,'” said Ryan. “Well, no shit.
“If he wants to talk to me, certainly my door is wide open, and I don’t have a … if I had that potion, I’d be over there well before this.”
