Twins To Activate Carlos Correa From The Injured List, Option Austin Martin To Triple-A

[Lou Hennessy]

The Minnesota Twins are getting one star infielder back on the field. But in the process, they’re sending down a young guy who (mostly) held his own in his first stint in the major leagues. 

Image courtesy of © Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

News broke on Monday afternoon that Carlos Correa is expected to be activated from the injured list for the first game of the Twins’ series against the Chicago White Sox. In a corresponding move, utility player Austin Martin will be optioned back to Triple-A St. Paul, according to Disco Dan Hayes of The Athletic.

Hearing Carlos Correa will be activated for tonight's game and #MNTwins will option out Austin Martin.

— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) April 29, 2024

Even with the Twins riding a seven-game winning streak, Correa’s return is a welcome development for a lineup that just recently pulled itself out of the cellar. Before being placed on the injured list with what was thought to be an oblique injury on Apr. 12, the veteran shortstop was having his best April at the plate since joining the Twins in 2022. Correa had a .306/.442/.444 line (162 wRC+) across 11 games, with a career-high 18.2% walk rate on top of just nine strikeouts.

Luckily, it was discovered that the injury actually occurred to his intercostal muscles, which presented a much shorter recovery time than an oblique strain likely would have. If he can pick up right where he left off despite skipping a rehab assignment, Correa will deliver stabilizing production from the right side of the plate, while giving his backup, Willi Castro, some much-needed time off.

For his part, Martin held his own in his 22 games since being promoted after Royce Lewis suffered a strained quad on Opening Day. The speedy 25-year-old sports a .226/.294/.371 (94 wRC+) clip, while playing a defensively sound left field and a passable center field. Martin also presented some much-needed diversity when it came to his approach at the plate, especially during a stretch where strikeouts were at an all-time high for much of the Twins’ lineup. He’ll now head to the Saints to get everyday playing time in the outfield, and possibly second base, where he only appeared in one game for the Twins.

One of the other speculated options to be demoted would have been infielder José Miranda, who is limited to first base, third base and designated hitter, but he’s been on a tear over the last week, and the optics of sending down a player who has helped rejuvenate the Twins’ offense with an .820 OPS might have presented an issue. With this decision to keep him with the major-league club, the Twins can play Miranda’s hot hand, and they can easily reverse the move if he goes through a cold streak and Martin's performance in St. Paul calls for another call-up. 

What do you think? What will Correa’s return mean to the red-hot Twins lineup? What should Martin work on in the minor leagues as he awaits another shot in the big leagues? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section, and as always, keep it sweet.

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[Patzky]

Guess Margot wasn't opt-able.

[Kenny Powers]

A lot more fun to watch these guys lately.  Martin did fine in his first taste of MLB.  Now he needs to go back and dominate AAA.  He'll be back.  But hopefully we can keep this momentum going and get on a little run now with guys finally getting healthy.

[$tryf4Life]

Makes sense. 
glad to see some value starting to hit the big league club from Berrios. Thanks for the help Martin. Crush it everyday and see ya soon. 

[weneedneshek]

Miranda and Martin will hopefully push out Margot and Santana at some point this year. If anything the young guys on their heels will get the best possible performance they have left to give

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

Leaving Miranda at 3rd is a good spot for him.  Correa likes him as well, not that it is a difference maker, but I do think those 2 will communicate well on that side while we wait for Lewis.  

[LastOnePicked]

Hey, good for Miranda for making the most of his return and forcing the club to look elsewhere for a demotion. That's the kind of resilience I really like to see out of young guys on the cusp.

[UK Twin]

Martin needs to play rather than be a bench player so sending him back to AAA is the right call. Made a good impression in his stint with the Twins though. But Correa is a very welcome returnee! 

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

Sad to see Martin go but keeping Miranda up makes sense and having Correa back is a huge plus.

[roger]

Personally, was surprised with how well Martin played.  And yes, it makes sense to me to send him back down to continue working to improve after a nice long stay with the Twins.  But count me among those that look forward to his return, permanently.

Doubt anyone expected them to move on from Margot or Farmer, although Martin played better than both.  So it was either Martin, Miranda or Larnach.  With six outfielders, expected it to be either Larnach or Martin, and Larnach has been hitting almost as well as Miranda.  No question the Twins offense is a heck of a lot better than a couple weeks ago when C4 went on the IL.

Gonna get interesting next month when Royce returns, although there is likely to be another injury or two before he returns.

 

[arby58]

4 minutes ago, roger said:

Personally, was surprised with how well Martin played.  And yes, it makes sense to me to send him back down to continue working to improve after a nice long stay with the Twins.  But count me among those that look forward to his return, permanently.

Count me among the surprised as well. It's the right move - he needs to keep playing every day. That said, 16 runs scored in 22 games is a lot, and 6 doubles in 62 at bats is pretty good as well. It's nice to have some more speed in the line-up - no doubt he will be back.

[Doctor Gast]

1B RH platoon should be Miranda's spot not only when Lewis comes back. Martin has nothing to prove in AAA & doesn't need more playing time, he has had plenty of playing time in the MLB. He needs more MLB experience to grow. which he can't in AAA. Like I've said from the beginning all our major acquisitions has been a waste. Taking away valuable playing time from our players that are more worthy & need that playing time. This should not have been necessary to send Martin down, He has the spunk that is so necessary on this team especially with Lewis gone.

Correa's bat & glove has been greatly needed especially in the INF, I expect our INF defense #s have been very poor since he's been gone.

[DJL44]

Looks like Kyle Farmer is actually healthy which makes his April look even worse. I was hoping he would head to the injured list when Correa returned.

I don't expect Martin to be stuck in AAA very long. He's the next man up when someone else gets injured.

[mickster]

I was happy with how Martin performed, but I think the Twins will use this as a showcase and he will be packaged with Kepler soon for a backend of the rotation pitcher.    This could change if SWR proves capable, but another starter depth would be good.  The timing of this may well depend on how Wallner performs in AAA.   If he gets hot, then I think the trade talks heat up.   Varland should be in the pen for the remainder of his career.   He will be a big leaguer if he accepts that, but I don't see  him in a rotation.   

[Shaitan]

Martin looked pretty good but he can use some seasoning. 

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, LastOnePicked said:

Hey, good for Miranda for making the most of his return and forcing the club to look elsewhere for a demotion. That's the kind of resilience I really like to see out of young guys on the cusp.

Ditto for Larnach.

[Riverbrian]

I'm kinda surprised it was Martin but 6 or half dozen of whatever. I'm happy for Miranda. 

OK so what do we got going forward.

            RH - LH            

DH: Kirilloff - Jeffers

C: Jeffers and Vazquez rotation

1B: Santana - Santana

2B: Julien - Farmer

3B: Castro - Miranda

SS: Correa - Correa

LF: Larnach - Castro

CF: Buxton - Buxton

RF: Kepler - Margot

That would be my guess

Miranda stays to short side. 

 

 

[IaBeanCounter]

It makes sense to keep Miranda up, hopefully to show that 2022 wasn't a fluke.  If he continues to hit and Lewis and Lee get healthy, I see Miranda as more of trade chip; either at the trade deadline or next winter.  JMHO

[jorgenswest]

41 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

I'm kinda surprised it was Martin but 6 or half dozen of whatever. I'm happy for Miranda. 

OK so what do we got going forward.

            RH - LH            

DH: Kirilloff - Jeffers

C: Jeffers and Vazquez rotation

1B: Santana - Santana

2B: Julien - Farmer

3B: Castro - Miranda

SS: Correa - Correa

LF: Larnach - Castro

CF: Buxton - Buxton

RF: Kepler - Margot

That would be my guess

Miranda stays to short side. 

 

 

Castro for his career and particularly this year is better against left handed pitching. So is Miranda. I hope they start Miranda at least half the time they see a right handed pitcher. That could be in place of Castro or Santana. They really need to find another at least league average bat against right handed pitching. I think those days are gone for Santana but maybe it is in the future of the 25 year old Miranda.  They also need to get Julien and Larnach some start against lefties.

[Riverbrian]

22 minutes ago, jorgenswest said:

Castro for his career and particularly this year is better against left handed pitching. So is Miranda. I hope they start Miranda at least half the time they see a right handed pitcher. That could be in place of Castro or Santana. They really need to find another at least league average bat against right handed pitching. I think those days are gone for Santana but maybe it is in the future of the 25 year old Miranda.  They also need to get Julien and Larnach some start against lefties.

I agree with you 100%

It will be interesting to see the lineup tomorrow against a RH and the day after against a RH.

The lineup today was going to happen without a doubt. 

Now... Farmer and Miranda were splitting duty against Right Handers. Rocco could also continue down that path. 

That would make Castro, a short sider in LF plus CF fill in when Buxton DH's or gets a maintenance day. 

If Castro starts both days at 3B. Farmer, Miranda and Margot are short siders waiting for the lefty. 

I'm betting on Castro because of his ability to at least stand in the left batters box.  

We should know the script in two days. 

[JD-TWINS]

2 hours ago, weneedneshek said:

Miranda and Martin will hopefully push out Margot and Santana at some point this year. If anything the young guys on their heels will get the best possible performance they have left to give

Spring of ‘25……somebody is always on your heels as a pro athlete!

Margot - Farmer - Santana will all be gone next Spring & things will start look much different………..Martin - Lee - Wallner are the probable replacements.

[Mike Sixel]

1 hour ago, Doctor Gast said:

1B RH platoon should be Miranda's spot not only when Lewis comes back. Martin has nothing to prove in AAA & doesn't need more playing time, he has had plenty of playing time in the MLB. He needs more MLB experience to grow. which he can't in AAA. Like I've said from the beginning all our major acquisitions has been a waste. Taking away valuable playing time from our players that are more worthy & need that playing time. This should not have been necessary to send Martin down, He has the spunk that is so necessary on this team especially with Lewis gone.

Correa's bat & glove has been greatly needed especially in the INF, I expect our INF defense #s have been very poor since he's been gone.

Agreed. 

[jorgenswest]

6 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

I agree with you 100%

It will be interesting to see the lineup tomorrow against a RH and the day after against a RH.

The lineup today was going to happen without a doubt. 

Now... Farmer and Miranda were splitting duty against Right Handers. Rocco could also continue down that path. 

That would make Castro, a short sider in LF plus CF fill in when Buxton DH's or gets a maintenance day. 

If Castro starts both days at 3B. Farmer, Miranda and Margot are short siders waiting for the lefty. 

I'm betting on Castro because of his ability to at least stand in the left batters box.  

We should know the script in two days. 

I am not interested guessing or betting on what they will do. I am just saying what I would do. Tonight Julien or Larnach would be batting in the bottom third of the line up. Tomorrow night Miranda would be in the starting line up.

For some reason Larnach has a better OPS over his career in games started by a lefty. It could be pinch hitting which he has done well but most of those plate appearance have come when he has started against a left handed starter.

[JD-TWINS]

14 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

I agree with you 100%

It will be interesting to see the lineup tomorrow against a RH and the day after against a RH.

The lineup today was going to happen without a doubt. 

Now... Farmer and Miranda were splitting duty against Right Handers. Rocco could also continue down that path. 

That would make Castro, a short sider in LF plus CF fill in when Buxton DH's or gets a maintenance day. 

If Castro starts both days at 3B. Farmer, Miranda and Margot are short siders waiting for the lefty. 

I'm betting on Castro because of his ability to at least stand in the left batters box.  

We should know the script in two days. 

I think they’ll load up on LH hitters as usual on Tuesday/Wednesday:

Kirilloff - Buxton - Kepler - (Larnach at DH) Castro - Correa - Julien - Santana - Vazquez

Depending upon how Jeffers is feeling, he may DH and Kirilloff could play 1B with Larnach in LF?

[Riverbrian]

1 minute ago, jorgenswest said:

I am not interested guessing or betting on what they will do. I am just saying what I would do. Tonight Julien or Larnach would be batting in the bottom third of the line up. Tomorrow night Miranda would be in the starting line up.

For some reason Larnach has a better OPS over his career in games started by a lefty. It could be pinch hitting which he has done well but most of those plate appearance have come when he has started against a left handed starter.

I'd love for Rocco to do exactly what I want. I haven't had much luck with that so I've changed my focus on to what he has been doing. 

  

[Riverbrian]

8 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

I think they’ll load up on LH hitters as usual on Tuesday/Wednesday:

Kirilloff - Buxton - Kepler - (Larnach at DH) Castro - Correa - Julien - Santana - Vazquez

Depending upon how Jeffers is feeling, he may DH and Kirilloff could play 1B with Larnach in LF?

I think you going to be very close. I'd say Jeffers will catch tomorrow night and Vazquez on Wednesday. The question is will Jeffers DH on Wednesday. 

I think Tuesday and Wednesday together will reveal the plan and I think Rocco will stick with what is revealed. 

[Shaitan]

1 hour ago, IaBeanCounter said:

It makes sense to keep Miranda up, hopefully to show that 2022 wasn't a fluke.  If he continues to hit and Lewis and Lee get healthy, I see Miranda as more of trade chip; either at the trade deadline or next winter.  JMHO

I said this in a game thread too, but my only question on Miranda is if he's still at a prospect-like "needs to play every day" level. I think he deserves to stay for now and through Lewis being out. After that...not sure what I think. 

[JD-TWINS]

8 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

I think you going to be very close. I'd say Jeffers will catch tomorrow night and Vazquez on Wednesday. The question is will Jeffers DH on Wednesday. 

I think Tuesday and Wednesday together will reveal the plan and I think Rocco will stick with what is revealed. 

 

8 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

I think you going to be very close. I'd say Jeffers will catch tomorrow night and Vazquez on Wednesday. The question is will Jeffers DH on Wednesday. 

I think Tuesday and Wednesday together will reveal the plan and I think Rocco will stick with what is revealed. 

Seems to me Vazquez caught Sunday so Jeffers would be up tonight. Pretty sure they have been on the strict “every other day” rotation for catching duties without fail.

Whoever didn’t catch yesterday will start tonight behind the plate.

[D.C Twins]

I would have liked to see Correa have a few games in St. Paul to warm back up.... Not an inconvenience for him.

Better to have the first few stinker AB there than here. 

But then again.... perhaps the FO thought the CWS were essentially the same as an AAA team so why bother :)

[Riverbrian]

29 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

 

Seems to me Vazquez caught Sunday so Jeffers would be up tonight. Pretty sure they have been on the strict “every other day” rotation for catching duties without fail.

Whoever didn’t catch yesterday will start tonight behind the plate.

Vazquez is wearing the tools of ignorance tonight. Jeffers is the DH.