It’s not the end of the world, but Miguel Sano is expected to miss the first week or so of Twins spring training because of a laceration on right heel, according to Twins beat writer Do-Hyoung Park.
Park reports that Sano was wearing a boot on his right foot when he entered the clubhouse in Fort Myers, Florida, and then was a spectator during full-squad drills the rest of the morning practice.
Park, citing a source, which we’re pretty darn sure is a good one since he’s embedded with the Twins as a team reporter for MLB.com, reports that Sano is wearing the boot as a precaution to mobilize the area and keep the cut from re-opening.
Nobody knows just how bad the cut is, but manager Rocco Baldelli explained Sunday that Sano suffered it during an on-field celebration during the Dominican Winter League playoffs in January.
Sano played 12 playoff games for his hometown team Estrellas Orientales in the Dominican Winter League, where he hit .222 (10-for-45) with one homer, two doubles, five RBI, four walks and 12 strikeouts.
It was just 49 plate appearances, but 12 strikeouts gave him a strikeout rate of 24.5 percent, which is well below his career-worst 38.5 percent last season with the Twins.
Meanwhile, Sano is in outstanding shape after spending the offseason eating right and working out consistently, including the addition of yoga to his workout routine.
Reports say the 25-year-old third baseman has dropped at least a couple dozen pounds and has re-focused with hopes of returning to All-Star form this season.
