The baseball world learned earlier this week that Twins prospect Miguel Sano is expected to resume throwing in the near future. It was great news considering Sano is only four months removed from Tommy John surgery. When the slugger returns to the field is another story.
According to the Pioneer Press, the Twins have ruled out the possibility of Sano returning before the end of the minor league season in September, and from playing in the Arizona Fall League.
The soonest he could return to the field is in December, where he would play in the Dominican Winter League.
“He can start throwing, but after talking to Dr. Altchek, I don’t think he’ll be playing in any games this year,” Twins Assistant General Manager Rob Antony said, according to MLB.com. “They just don’t want to risk any collisions or sliding into second base and hurting his elbow. They don’t want him to compete until he gets into the nine-month mark.”
Sano’s surgery took place March 12. December 12 will be the nine month anniversary of the operation.
“We don’t want any setbacks until (Sano’s arm) it’s completely healed,” Antony added. “(Team doctors) just don’t want to risk any collisions or sliding into second base and hitting his elbow. That’s probably the right, conservative approach.”
Baseball America ranked Sano the No. 9 prospect in baseball. He’s still the No. 3 prospect in the most recent MLB.com rankings.
He hit 35 home runs between Class A Fort Myers and Class AA New Britain in 2013.
