Minnesota Twins Starter Kevin Slowey Lost for Season

The Minnesota Twins—already suffering through a second-half swoon—saw their postseason pursuits take another hit on Monday.

Prior to Monday’s game against the division-rival Chicago White Sox, it was announced that right-handed starter Kevin Slowey will miss the rest of the season.

Slowey will undergo surgery to fix a bone chip in his right wrist. The operation will require two to four months of rehab and recovery.

Slowey initially aggravated the injury when he was hit by a line drive during a start last September.

He pitched through the pain until July 3, when he left a game after three innings. The next day he went on the disabled list and hasn’t pitched since.

Prior to landing on the DL, Slowey compiled a 10-3 record for the Twins and was one of the most reliable arms in the rotation.

Slowey has been replaced in the rotation by right-handed rookie Anthony Swarzak.

Thus far Swarzak has been relatively successful in the rotation. Through eight starts, Swarzak currently sits at 3-3 with a 3.74 ERA.

He has tossed five quality starts on the season and has been won of the most successful members of the rotation during the club‘s recent struggles.

With a big three-game series against the White Sox beginning Monday, Slowey’s injury could further add to speculation that the series is a ‘make or break’ endeavor for the Twins.

If the Twins are able to win the series against the White Sox, they’ll propel themselves back into contention for the AL Central.

Additionally, there will still be time for the Twins to make a move before Friday’s trade deadline.

If the Twins are unable to win this series, it could be the impetus the club needs to move veterans such as Joe Crede and begin preparing for 2010 and the opening of Target Field.