The Minnesota Twins doctors’ initial diagnosis of Brooks Lee’s injury was incorrect.
The Minnesota Twins’ 2024 season has not gotten off to the best start; after 20 games, they have yet to win a series. This week, they’ll have their greatest chance to snap their series losing run when they host a four-game home series against the Chicago White Sox.
You would think they could win two out of four games against the 3-18 Southsiders, at the very least. Otherwise, let’s face it: the Twins’ 2024 season outlook isn’t going to be particularly optimistic.
Positive injury updates for Max Kepler and Jhoan Duran for the Minnesota Twins
Fortunately, we learned on Monday via Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic that Jhoan Duran is confirming earlier rumors that he is beginning a rehab assignment in St. Paul, and that Max Kepler might return to the Twins lineup as soon as today.
Max Kepler, the Twins’ right fielder, is about to make his way back into the starting lineup after missing the previous two weeks due to a right knee bruise. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, he participated in Triple-A rehabilitation games and recorded four hits and three walks. As early as Monday, Kepler might be activated from the IL.
Gleeman’s superstar shortstop update Carlos Correa was one of the only plus hitters in the Twins lineup prior to his injury, so it’s concerning that his intercostal strain wasn’t as good. Correa is almost ready to start playing baseball again, but he hasn’t even started yet.
Not very encouraging updates with Brooks Lee and Carlos Correa…
However, Gleeman’s bad news grew worse when he wrote about what the Twins had told him about their best prospect, Brooks Lee, whose season was halted due to back spasms that were initially thought to be the cause.
We learned on Monday that Lee’s back ailment is actually a herniated disc and that he won’t be able to play baseball for more than a month. Lee’s more critical diagnosis were apparently kept a secret for almost two weeks before Gleeman was eventually informed.
He was expected to miss three to four weeks of the Triple-A season on the IL due to lower back problems, which was discovered after more testing. After that period passed, a Twins insider revealed to The Athletic that Lee’s back condition is now thought to be more serious. Dr. Robert G. Watkins, a spine and back expert in California, has diagnosed Lee with a herniated disc.
Lee is approximately three weeks into a two-month rehabilitation regimen, according to a team source knowledgeable on the circumstances. A date for Lee’s possible return to game action has not yet been set, but there is optimism inside the organization that he will be able to play again this season. This spring, Lee hit.333 with a.962 OPS, which impressed the front office and coaching staff.
According to the story, Lee is receiving “treatment” from well-known back expert Dr. Robert G. Watkins, who has worked with several sportsmen from other sports in the past ten years, including tight end Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots.
It is comforting to know that Brooks Lee, who is originally from California, is in capable hands. Even so, the fact that the team chose to remain silent and only brought up the topic of Gronkowskiāwho abruptly ended his Hall of Fame NFL career due to a back injuryāindicates that they are clearly worried about the circumstances.