Sano (knee) plans to play winter ball in an effort to continue his career, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. He worked out for several teams this spring but didn't find a contract and returned to the Dominican Republic.
Sano entered free agency in November after the Twins declined his option for the 2023 season. He managed only 71 plate appearances due to a lingering knee issue in 2022, and the knee was likely still a concern in the spring. It sounds like Sano hasn't given up on his major-league career, but he'll likely need to prove himself in the minors or another league before receiving another opportunity.
Sano (knee) will host a workout for scouts Feb. 7, Darren Wolfson of Channel 5 Saint Paul reports.
Sano entered free agency in November after the Twins declined his option for the 2023 season. That decision came as little surprise after he managed only 71 plate appearances due to a lingering knee issue in 2022. However, he had posted an OPS of at least .750 in three consecutive prior campaigns, so it's possible he could get a small deal and earn some plate appearances at designated hitter for a club if he proves healthy.
The Twins declined Sano's 2023 option Monday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.
Declining the $14 million option was likely a no-brainer for the Twins, as Sano posted a .344 OPS in 71 big-league plate appearances in 2021 before struggling with injuries for the rest of the season. A minor-league or one-year MLB contract seems like the best-case scenario this offseason for Sano, who when healthy could still provide some home run power but nothing more.
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Twins' Miguel Sano: Transferred to 60-day IL
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Sano (knee) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
It's not exactly clear why Sano was moved to the longer of the two injured lists just a few days after landing on the 10-day IL, but according to the report, "the Twins found something on his MRI." Sano will not be eligible to be activated until Sept. 28, so his season may very well be over.
The Twins will place Sano on the 10-day injured list Saturday with left knee inflammation, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.
He was just activated from the 60-day injured list earlier this week, so Sano obviously aggravated the left knee after putting some weight on it for full games. He went 0-for-6 with four strikeouts and zero walks in three games since getting activated. Alex Kirilloff should get extended playing time. Sano had surgery for a torn left meniscus in May.
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Twins' Miguel Sano: Activated from IL
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Sano (knee) was activated from the 60-day injured list Monday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.
Sano needed to be activated Monday to avoid an extension of his rehab assignment, and the team made the move official Monday evening. He was batting .093 with a home run, three RBI and one stolen base through 17 games before undergoing surgery in mid-May to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. It's unclear as to the type of role Sano will play on the active roster.
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Twins' Miguel Sano: Looming roster decision
Rotowire
Sano (knee) needs to be activated from the injured list by Monday or have his rehab assignment extended, which would require his permission, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. Twins manager Rocco Baldelli declined to indicate what the team plans to do Monday.
Sano is hitting .348 with three home runs in seven games for Triple-A St. Paul during his rehab assignment. After hitting just .093/.231/.148 in 17 games before undergoing surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee in May, it's not clear the Twins have a spot for him on the major league roster. If they don't activate him from the injured list, the Twins could designate him for assignment and hope he goes unclaimed and agrees to remain in the minors. The Twins have a $3 million opt-out in the last year of his contract after the season, so it's possible they could let him go. However, he's shown enough during his rehab assignment to at least be on the bench the rest of the season in the majors.
Sanon (knee) will join Triple-A St. Paul to continue his rehab assignment, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.
Sano appeared in five games with the Twins' Florida Complex league team, and it was decided that he is ready to face tougher competition. It's not clear how much time Sano will spend at the Triple-A level, but there remains a chance that he could rejoin the big club prior to the All-Star break.
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Twins' Miguel Sano: Begins rehab assignment
Rotowire
Sano (knee) began a rehab assignment in the rookie-level Florida Complex League on Monday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.
Sano's injury has kept him out of action since the final day of April, but he is nearing the end of his recovery. Given the length of his absence, Sano figures to play a few games in the minors before the Twins consider adding him back to the big-league roster.
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Twins' Miguel Sano: Nearing live BP
Rotowire
Sano (knee) continues to ramp up his running progression and recently started hitting, and he could participate in live batting practice as early as next week, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.
The 29-year-old underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in mid-May and appears to be nearing the latter stages of his rehab program. Sano will be eligible to be activated from the 60-day injured list at the start of July, though he shouldn't be expected to be ready at that point since he'll likely require a minor-league rehab assignment.
Sano (knee) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Saturday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.
Sano underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee in early May, a procedure that typically requires 4-to-8 weeks of recovery time. Following his placement on the 60-day IL, the 29-year-old won't be eligible to return until the beginning of July. Alex Kirilloff was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday, so Jose Miranda should serve as the Twins' primary first baseman.
