Minnesota Twins closer Glen Perkins will not throw off the mound Friday for the first time since season-ending surgery last June.
Perkins is coming off surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder, he was scheduled to throw off the mound for the first time since the procedure on Friday – but it doesn’t appear as though he’s quite ready for that yet.
Just got word that Perkins did NOT have a setback, but just needs more time to work on arm strength before he takes a mound
— LaVelle E. Neal III (@LaVelleNeal) February 9, 2017
According to MLB.com Twins blogger Rhett Bollinger, Perkins is a candidate to open the season on the disabled list.
The lefty pitched in just two games last season before undergoing surgery to re-attach his labrum to the bone in June. The procedure was more extensive than originally thought – ending his season and guaranteeing a lengthy recovery process.
Perkins has been working out at the team’s Spring Training complex in Fort Myers, Florida, since January. At TwinsFest the three-time All-Star said his rehab was going well and that he was only about three weeks behind his regular offseason schedule.
According to Twinkie Town, recovery from a torn labrum is extremely hard and rare. Even Perkins has acknowledged himself that the injury was career-threatening.
The Star Tribune notes that he was likely to miss the first part of Spring Training anyway, and it’s likely the Twins will be cautious with his return.
Instead of throwing off the mound Friday, Perkins will continue to build up his arm strength.
Brandon Kintzler will fill-in as Minnesota’s closer until Perkins shows he’s ready to return to the role.
