Arm-ageddon: Twins Announce Injuries to Jhoan Durán, Anthony DeSclafani, Caleb Thielbar, Others

[Matthew Trueblood]

The big, joyous storyline of spring training for the 2024 Minnesota Twins was the good health of many key pieces of the team, including some for whom injury has been a constant problem. Ten days shy of Opening Day, that narrative is cracking.

Image courtesy of © Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

In a flurry of updates Monday afternoon, the Twins announced a couple of things that had already grown apparent to attentive fans--but there were an extra couple of scoops on the tsuris sundae. Anthony DeSclafani, who was pretty clearly not in line to start the season on the active roster, has a forearm strain and will see Dr. Keith Meister to determine the next steps in his treatment. That's bad news. So is the fact that Caleb Thielbar and his balky 37-year-old hamstring will be on the shelf to open the season.

Those were expected blows, though. Neither DeSclafani nor Thielbar has seemed to be on track for Opening Day since they arrived at camp. DeSclafani's update portends ill for his whole season; I think "Tommy John" is one of the autocomplete options when you start Googling "pitcher forearm strain". Still, both developments are what we anticipated they would be. Jhoan Durán's status, though, comes as a nasty shock. He suffered a moderate oblique strain, and will also begin the season on the injured list.

An oblique strain (especially for a flamethrower like Durán) is often a 4-6 week injury, so Durán might be out for all of April. Setbacks with those injuries aren't as uncommon as we'd all like, either. The Twins' relief ace will be absent on Opening Day, and their overall relief depth is thinning fast.

Both Zack Weiss (still recovering from a teres major strain) and Matt Canterino (sub-scapula strain) have injuries in the upper back/shoulder structural complex and will also be sidelined to begin the year, with Weiss on the MLB injured list and Canterino on the Triple-A version. There are a bunch of new opportunities for other relievers who had been on the roster bubble, but this is a very unfortunate quintet of updates.

The one silver lining is the bullet the team seems to have dodged, for now. Byron Buxton was scratched from Monday's lineup with tightness in his lower back, but the team says that issue is very minor. That can always change, and with Buxton, it's always cause for alarm when he's pushed off the field by any malady, but this isn't one of the areas of his body have cost him considerable time recently, and all parties seem hopeful that he'll be back in action very soon.

Overall, this was a miserable day for injury updates. The Twins' bullpen, especially, is in a state of newly clarified pandemonium. Hopefully, this is the big bite from the injury bug, and the rest of spring goes fairly smoothly, but some damage is already done for the short term.

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Which of these injuries concerns you most? What moves or in-house options are you eyeing now? Join the discussion as we try to figure out how the Twins will rejigger their bullpen.

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[sweetmusicviola16]

Buxton is not to be relied upon. Period.

Paddock and Ryan look very underwhelming this spring also.

[CRF]

If DeSclafani isn't headed for a TJ, I'd be absolutely shocked. I'd rather have Louie in that rota spot anyway. Not having Duran could hurt a lot...Jax and Stewart need to step up. 

[sweetmusicviola16]

Canterino. Can't stay healthy. Moving on. 

So much for the cheap SP we got for Polanco.

[Linus]

Duran is by far the most concerning.  Tough to lose one of the best relievers for the first month and those injuries have a way of lingering. I was willing to keep an open mind on Disco but that whole deal is looking like a fiasco 

[Bamboo Bat]

I hope they're all back soon, but it's been a pretty common phrase to hear "TJ" thrown around for DeSclafani. He's been good when healthy in the past, but...

 

[#3Killer]

10 minutes ago, sweetmusicviola16 said:

Buxton is not to be relied upon. Period.

Paddock and Ryan look very underwhelming this spring also.

Ryan has been fine this spring. He and Varland have been very effective. Alcala and Funderburk should fill in fine until Durán gets back. 

[sweetmusicviola16]

I wanted Louie Varland in the rotation anyway.

[bean5302]

The Twins' bullpen is crazy deep. Losing Duran still hurts because of how well he can close things out, but it's not like there aren't more arms on the team who can fill a high leverage role adequately. The rest of the reported injuries don't really impact the team over their injury replacements or how minor they are, IMHO.

[weneedneshek]

Similar to just about everybody I wanted Varland making Disco's starts as well. The depth for rotation arms being thinned already though is not good.

Maybe Snell or Montgomery will wait themselves into the Twins price range?? (Im dreaming)

[USAFChief]

The Polanco trade was always a bad idea. Not surprised about Desclafani.

Duran is an awful loss.

 

[bighat]

So with the fog clearing and the dust settling, is anyone else in complete disbelief in what the Twins got back in the Jorge Polanco trade? A washed up 40 year-old pitcher getting hit to the tune of a 5.89 ERA at the end of his career who can't even get on the field and a run-of-the-mill middle reliever? 

Please tell me the prospect the Twins picked up in the deal was a blue-chip can't-miss future every-day player. 

Because if not, I really have no idea why the Twins gave away a year of Jorge Polanco for absolutely nothing. 

Duran's injury is worrisome. The guy's out there throwing 104 MPH three nights a week I'm surprised his arm is still attached. It seems that a guy throwing that hard, consistently, just doesn't have a long shelf life this day in age. 

[sweetmusicviola16]

idk,is it just my imagination or have Pitcher injuries escalated to a whole new stratosphere this season already?

[Doctor Gast]

Main concern is Duran & Thielbar. As long as we have them for the postseason I'm fine. Canterino's injury is to be expected being away for so long, the injury isn't that serious & he'll eventually work himself back into shape. When he does he'll be great.

BTW love your title Matthew

[Parfigliano]

10 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

The Polanco trade was always a bad idea. Not surprised about Desclafani.

Duran is an awful loss.

 

Duran out is a loss.   Like many others I never wanted DeScalf.  His being out is addition by subtraction.  

I do wish they would quit trading for broken toys.

[Jocko87]

But Duran doesn't have an arm injury. I was nervous when I opened this but now I'm good. Take the time to get healthy, the bullpen will be fine.

[MN_ExPat]

22 minutes ago, bighat said:

So with the fog clearing and the dust settling, is anyone else in complete disbelief in what the Twins got back in the Jorge Polanco trade? A washed up 40 year-old pitcher getting hit to the tune of a 5.89 ERA at the end of his career who can't even get on the field and a run-of-the-mill middle reliever? 

Please tell me the prospect the Twins picked up in the deal was a blue-chip can't-miss future every-day player. 

Because if not, I really have no idea why the Twins gave away a year of Jorge Polanco for absolutely nothing. 

Duran's injury is worrisome. The guy's out there throwing 104 MPH three nights a week I'm surprised his arm is still attached. It seems that a guy throwing that hard, consistently, just doesn't have a long shelf life this day in age. 

I understand the angst, but... DeSclafani is only 33 (almost 34).  That's a good bit away from 40.

[wabene]

Clicked on this to see what was up with Duran. I'm very happy this was not an elbow!

Optimistic take; think of how fresh he'll be for the playoffs.

[LA Vikes Fan]

9 minutes ago, bighat said:

So with the fog clearing and the dust settling, is anyone else in complete disbelief in what the Twins got back in the Jorge Polanco trade? A washed up 40 year-old pitcher getting hit to the tune of a 5.89 ERA at the end of his career who can't even get on the field and a run-of-the-mill middle reliever? 

Please tell me the prospect the Twins picked up in the deal was a blue-chip can't-miss future every-day player. 

Because if not, I really have no idea why the Twins gave away a year of Jorge Polanco for absolutely nothing. 

Duran's injury is worrisome. The guy's out there throwing 104 MPH three nights a week I'm surprised his arm is still attached. It seems that a guy throwing that hard, consistently, just doesn't have a long shelf life this day in age. 

Really? I thought we got a solid back end reliever with a 2.61 ERA and 1.145 WHIP in 2023 and a borderline Top 100 prospect, along with an oft injured starting pitcher and an A ball flier, in return for one year of an oft injured bat first, poor fielding second baseman with a consistent 115 OPS+? Let's see, Topa's WAR last year - 1.6. Polanco's WAR last year - 2.0. Add in the top 100 prospect and it seems like a fair deal to me. Sure, Topa may be a one year wonder and Polanco may have a career renaissance at age 30 plus. Gonzalez is a top 100 prospect on some lists and not on others -  BA: NR | MLB: 79 | ATH: 96 | BP: NR, and sure, he may be in the Show in 2 years or working at McDonalds. 

I love me some Jorge Polanco but I think you guys have to recognize that his career arc from here is likely down, not up, and that's assuming he's healthy enough to play more than 100 games. He's been a great Twin in the past. Not so likely in the future. He was expendable with the breakout year from Julien and the development of Lee.  Why didn't we get a mid rotation established starter or a high upside young starter for Polanco? Because he isn't worth it at this stage of his career. I hope Jorge has a great season and makes the All Star team. Hell, I hope he plays 120 games. But let's not overrate who he is and what he's worth. And let's not use him to take pot shots at the front office for making a trade from surplus to get the necessary bullpen help and a real upside prospect.  

[nicksaviking]

Bummed about Duran, but I'll take an oblique over an elbow or shoulder, so this doesn't sound devastating.

Not shocked about Thielbar. I can't wait until he's back, but this is pretty SOP for him lately.

Less shocked about DeSclafani. They always could have done better anyway, so I feel bad for him, but the team might be better off for it.

[MN_ExPat]

27 minutes ago, sweetmusicviola16 said:

idk,is it just my imagination or have Pitcher injuries escalated to a whole new stratosphere this season already?

Given media and social media coverage, one can certainly see that perspective.  However, I would say that were seeing your typical spring. 

Throughout HS and now into college, my son and all his teammates and friends were/are a walking litany of strains, bruises, bumps and if they were lucky... just aches.  We just don't hear about it really to often because they (players and teams) don't say anything about it.

Guys are going to get banged up... it's baseball.

[nicksaviking]

8 minutes ago, MN_ExPat said:

I understand the angst, but... DeSclafani is only 33 (almost 34).  That's a good bit away from 40.

Yup, like they say, you're only as old as you feel.

But he feels about 75 at this point.

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

Silver lining on Duran - no arm troubles. Thielbar going on the IL doesn't bother me too much; keep him fresh until later in the year. Twins have the bullpen depth to survive presuming neither is out for an extended period of time, i.e., June or July.

For Desclafani, oof. The trade looks like an absolute dud on its face. I have hopes for Varland. Issue is, does AAA have the starting pitching depth to fill-in when the inevitable injury hits? Twins were extremely fortunate last year with the rotation and when needed, Ober and Varland stepped up. Anyone waiting in the wings?

[MN_ExPat]

2 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

Yup, like they say, you're only as old as you feel.

But he feels about 75 at this point.

Yeah, I don't doubt it.  With his mounting injuries at this point, I just pray for him that he recovers enough to have a healthy life after he is done with the game.

[Althebum82]

So now one starts to wonder...is there a reason Lopez has been banged around fairly well?  Why Funderburk is so wild?  So far, everything has been easy to dismiss as SSS or maybe working on new pitches or something.....but with this leak in the dam, one wonders if we really to have enough fingers to plug the injury dike?

[sweetmusicviola16]

19 minutes ago, MN_ExPat said:

Yeah, I don't doubt it.  With his mounting injuries at this point, I just pray for him that he recovers enough to have a healthy life after he is done with the game.

Prayers are not such a bad thing. Aching shoulders, elbows and wrists takes a whole lot of the good things out of life.

[Eephus]

1 hour ago, sweetmusicviola16 said:

Buxton is not to be relied upon. Period.

Paddock and Ryan look very underwhelming this spring also.

 I'm starting to suspect Buxton is injury prone. 
10/13/23 Knee surgery

8/2/23    Hamstring
6/24/23 Back
6/1/23    Ribs
5/20/23 Leg
8/22/22 Hip
8/2/22    Knee
7/23/22 Knee
5/7/22     Hip
4/15/22 Knee
6/21/21 Hand
5/6/21    Hip
4/26/21 Knee
4/15/21 Hamstring
4/4/21 Illness
9/26/20 Concussion
8/20/20 Left shoulder
7/13/20 Left Foot
9/10/19 Shoulder
8/2/19    Shoulder
7/13/19 Concussion
6/14/19 Wrist
5/28/19 Knee
5/30/18 Fractured great left toe
4/17/18 Migraine
4/15/18 Migraines
 

[Dan In Real Life]

I'm far more concerned about Duran. Those oblique strains can end up being a longer term recovery, especially for a guy that relies so heavily on his core. With his history of arm injuries I hope they take their time bringing him back. I'd hate to see him try to adjust his throwing motion or something to account for the oblique and end up hurting the arm again.

I also think the Twins badly want to keep Varland as the first line of defense in St Paul. I'll be shocked if they don't pick up a low end veteran SP before they need someone in that #5 spot. Not saying I prefer that option, but I'm willing to bet it happens.

[jmlease1]

I'm not worried about Duran or Thielbar at this point; while Duran is a big loss because he's so dominant and oblique injuries can linger, the bullpen is deep enough to handle it. (come on down, Jose Alcala!) We have a lefty ready to go with Okert and a second that looks ready to step up in Funderburk.

Desclafani is definitely a bit disheartening, even if was expected he wouldn't be ready to go on Opening Day because this seems to be a bit more serious than a guy just working his way back from injury. While I don't expect to see any major drop off with varland taking his innings, I do have concerns about the rotation depth when delving into it so early. That said, with Lopez, Ryan, Ober, Paddack, and Varland at least we're not counting on a bunch of guys in their mid-to-late 30's? (on the other hand, Ober & Paddack have both had real injury troubles, and Ryan and Lopez haven't been entirely immune in their careers either....)

not worried about Buxton being scratched at this point; it's a spring training game and they're going to be extra cautious with him, just in case. I'd bet all the money in my pockets against all the money in yours that if it had been an actual game he would have played and never hit the injury report.

no disasters yet...let's hope none of the starters go down early.

[sweetmusicviola16]

13 minutes ago, Dan In Real Life said:

I'm far more concerned about Duran. Those oblique strains can end up being a longer term recovery, especially for a guy that relies so heavily on his core. With his history of arm injuries I hope they take their time bringing him back. I'd hate to see him try to adjust his throwing motion or something to account for the oblique and end up hurting the arm again.

I also think the Twins badly want to keep Varland as the first line of defense in St Paul. I'll be shocked if they don't pick up a low end veteran SP before they need someone in that #5 spot. Not saying I prefer that option, but I'm willing to bet it happens.

Obliques can be bad.I pulled one over 8 years ago. Led to Sciatic issues. Which every so often ever since flares up.