The Minnesota Twins currently sit atop the American League Central, two and a half games ahead of the surprising Detroit Tigers.
If this is possible despite an anemic attack, it is partly due to the excellent work of the starting pitchers, including Tyler Mahle.
The Twins, however, will have to do without the latter’s services for a long time as he will have to undergo Tommy John-type surgery, manager Rocco Baldelli said this morning (Thursday).
The right-hander, who is expected to become a free agent at the end of the season, will miss the rest of the 2023 campaign and a portion of the 2024 season.
Mahle was initially placed on the 15-day disabled list on May 3, then moved to the 60-day disabled list last Friday.
This is bad news for Mahle and for the Twins as the Gunner was off to a strong start to the season, posting a 3.16 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 25 2/3 innings. spread over five departures.
Minnesota had traded three prospects (Spencer Steer, Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Steve Hajjar) to acquire the services of Mahle at the final trade deadline last summer.
There is always the possibility that the Twins could try to sign a contract extension that would keep Mahle in Minnesota beyond the current season, as they have done in the past with Michael Pineda and Chris Paddack.
