The American League Central-leading Twins are bracing for a big loss to their lineup.
Shortstop Carlos Correa may be out for an extended period after being hit in the right hand by a pitch Thursday night against the Orioles in Baltimore. The results of a CT scan Friday will reveal the severity of the injury.
Correa was hit in his previous at-bat, too; that pitch pinballed off his left wrist and onto his right shoulder. The second pitch caromed off Correa's bat, landed in fair territory and was turned into an out. Correa left the game afterward.
#Twins update de nuestro 🇵🇷 Carlos Correa, el equipo anunció q las imágenes preliminares revelan la posibilidad de una fractura no desplazada del dedo del medio en su mano derecha. El X-Ray muestra q posiblemente esté roto. (CT Scan) mañana para confirmar #MGLD 🎥 @mlb pic.twitter.com/kFgvNSMqoo
— MeGustanLosDeportes (@Palillito_33) May 6, 2022
Here is the latest on Correa's injury:
What is Carlos Correa's injury?
Correa was hit in the right hand by a pitch from the Orioles' Bryan Baker in the seventh inning of a game May 5. The play was not ruled a hit by pitch because the ball also hit Correa's bat and landed in play. The Orioles retired him on a groundout, Baker to first baseman Ryan Mountcastle.
The Twins will learn May 6 whether Correa suffered a non-displaced fracture of his right middle finger. The team said postgame that preliminary imaging indicated a possible fracture.
"He was down there with the trainers running some tests, trying to squeeze his hand, and he was in a lot of pain," Twins acting manager Jayce Tingler told reporters, per MLB.com. Tingler was filling in for Rocco Baldelli (COVID-19 protocols).
Correa, 27, is one month into a three-year, $105.3 million contract he signed with Minnesota on March 22. He has posted a .255/.320/.372 slash line and two home runs in 103 plate appearances this year.
Carlos Correa injury history
Correa is in danger of landing on the injured list for a fifth season in the last six. He went on the IL with the Astros in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021.
Last season, Correa was placed on the COVID-19 injured list; in previous years, he suffered a torn thumb ligament, back soreness, a fractured rib and back discomfort.
Who would replace Correa at shortstop?
The Twins could move second baseman Jorge Polanco back to short, his natural position, or they could plug in utilityman Nick Gordon, who is already on the 26-man roster.
Another option is to call up prospect Royce Lewis, who is hitting well for the Twins' Triple-A affiliate in St. Paul, Minn.
