Twins RHP Santana out up to three months after surgery
The Minnesota Twins will be without ace Ervin Santana for the start of the season after the right-hander underwent surgery on the middle finger of his throwing hand Tuesday.
The injury is expected to sideline Santana for 10 to 12 weeks.
The Twins issued a statement explaining that Santana has dealt with middle finger discomfort in the past. He received injections after X-rays were negative following the conclusion of last season but started to feel discomfort again as he ramped up his activities ahead of spring training.
After a visit with Dr. Charles Melone in New York, surgery was recommended.
"The injury is a result of repeated cumulative stress from pitching," the Twins said, "not one acute event, and did not present again until this past week."
Santana, Minnesota's Opening Day starter each of the last two seasons, is coming off an All-Star campaign that saw him go 16-8 with a 3.28 ERA in 211 1/3 innings. He tied with the Cleveland Indians' Corey Kluber for the league lead in complete games with five.
Overall, the two-time All-Star has a 4.02 career ERA across his 13 years in the majors spent with Los Angeles Angels, Kansas City Royals, Atlanta Braves and Twins.
Santana's contract with the Twins includes a $14 million option for 2019 that vests if he reaches 200 innings in 2018, which will be unlikely given his injury situation.
With Santana out, 23-year-old Jose Berrios becomes the leading candidate to serve as Minnesota's Opening Day starter against the Baltimore Orioles on March 29. Berrios was 14-8 with a 3.89 ERA last season.
--Field Level Media
