Twins put Paddack on IL with Tommy John surgery possible

By KSTP

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The Minnesota Twins continue to battle injuries and have placed two more key players on the injured list.

Star shortstop Carlos Correa and pitcher Chris Paddack were both put on the 10-day injured list Tuesday.

Paddack spoke with reporters, including KSTP Sports, pregame Tuesday. He mentioned that season-ending Tommy John surgery is a possibility. He’s awaiting feedback from a second doctor on how to officially proceed.

***Click the video box above to watch Paddack answer questions about his elbow injury***

Correa, who fouled a ball off his hand against Baltimore on May 5 and hasn’t played since, is recovering from a right middle finger contusion. His placement on the IL is retroactive to May 6.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Chris Paddack (20) throws against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, May 8, 2022, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)

Correa was starting to heat up offensively before his injury and has tallied a .255 batting average with 2 home runs and 11 RBI in 24 games this season.

Paddack left his start against Oakland on Sunday in the third inning and is dealing with right elbow inflammation. His placement on the IL is retroactive to Monday.

Paddack, who was acquired in the trade that sent reliever Taylor Rogers to San Diego, has gone 1-2 with a 4.03 ERA with 20 strikeouts over 22.1 innings this season.

To replace Correa and Paddack on the roster, the Twins selected outfielder Mark Contreras and pitcher Jharel Cotton from Triple-A St. Paul.

Contreras has hit .239 with 5 home runs, 17 RBI and a .350 on-base percentage over 26 games for the Saints this year. Cotton made four relief appearances for St. Paul this season, giving up three hits and one earned run over 4.1 innings with 8 strikeouts. He also pitched 2 scoreless innings for the Twins earlier this season before he was designated for assignment.

The Twins entered Tuesday with a record of 18-11 and a three-game lead in the American League Central Division.

Minnesota Twins’ Carlos Correa follows through on a swing against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning of a baseball game, Thursday, May 5, 2022, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)