Twins' Miguel Sano Reinstated from IL After Missing 41 Games with Heel Injury

The Minnesota Twins are in first place in the American League Central even though third baseman Miguel Sano has yet to play this season after he suffered a right heel laceration.

His status is set to change.

The Twins announced they reinstated Sano from the injured list and placed catcher Mitch Garver on the 10-day IL with a high left ankle sprain he suffered in Tuesday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels.

Sano was an All-Star during the 2017 season, which saw him slash .264/.352/.507 with a career-best 28 home runs and 77 RBI. However, he spent time in the minor leagues and dealt with a knee injury last year, appearing in just 71 games and posting a .199 batting average, 13 home runs and 41 RBI.

It was a disappointing follow-up effort to his first All-Star appearance, although he flashed an improved bat during his rehab assignment in 10 games in the minor leagues with a .316 average, two home runs and four doubles.

If he can bring that offensive output to the major leagues, an already formidable Twins squad can create more separation in the AL Central than their four-game lead.

The loss of Garver is significant, though, because he was in the middle of a breakout season with a .329/.418/.747 slash line and nine home runs.