Jun 18, 2024, 8:18 PM ET
The Minnesota Twins will place outfielder Alex Kirilloff on the injured list with back problems, six days after the former top prospect was optioned to Triple-A.
MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Twins they will place the gardener Alex Kirilloff in the injured list due to back problems, six days after the former top prospect was optioned to Triple-A.
a regretful Alex Kirilloff He rejoined the Twins at Target Field on Tuesday for treatment, having acknowledged that he underestimated the severity of his injury because he wanted to continue playing.
Alex Kirilloff He had an MRI on May 26, the results of which did not suggest he would be sidelined, but after the 2016 first-round draft pick was downgraded, he reported more significant pain in his lower back. along with discomfort related to the nerves that ran through his leg.
“It’s a little hard to say something when you want to be there every day, but at the same time, things have to be communicated at a high level here, especially when we’re all trying to compete to win a championship,” he said. Alex Kirilloff. “So I need to do a better job of communicating how I’m feeling and what’s going on with that process so something like this doesn’t happen again.”
Since Kirilloff had not yet played for St. Paul, the Twins they can reverse the decision to place him on the 10-day injured list.
Alex Kirilloff he batted .201 with eight doubles, three triples, five home runs, 20 runs batted in, 15 walks and 47 strikeouts in 57 games, primarily in left field. His time at first base has been limited this season by the addition of veteran Carlos Santana, who was second on the team in home runs (11) and tied for the most RBIs on the team (36) before the game. Minnesota against Tampa Bay on Tuesday.
Kirilloff, who hit .270 with 11 home runs in 88 games last season, is 10-for-74 at the plate since May 1.
“I think the main problem is not being able to prepare to make the swing that I wanted to. That was a big part of it, and then obviously at times I felt a little apprehensive about completely letting go and making my ‘A’ swing,” he said. Kirilloff.
For now, he is seeking a second opinion from a back specialist before a timetable can be established for his return.
“You always want to stay on the field and not come off it. At the same time, you don’t want to get hurt anymore and you don’t want to be out there not being able to do your job the way you’re expected to do it,” Kirilloff said. “I’m still learning and trying to make the best decisions for the future.”
When manager Rocco Baldelli told Kirilloff last week that he would be sent to the minors, he did not elaborate on the state of his health. Kirilloff said the decision took him by surprise.
“He was more focused on the baseball aspect, which is what he’s most concerned about. He’s a baseball player and that’s what he thinks,” Baldelli said. “The communication about it, if it was something that made him worse and he couldn’t play, must improve and it is something that he must be able to raise and say.
“He had the opportunity to do it. Hopefully we can do better next time. Really, the goal here is for him to be healthy and good because he has all the ability to be one of our best hitters and one of the best hitters in the league when he is good and it’s going well.”
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