2023 MLB playoff injuries: Twins share updates on Carlos Correa, other stars, Marlins plan to have Luis Arraez

The 2023 postseason is upon us and an unlucky a part of the calculus when it comes to expectancies for the way those playoffs will spread is accidents. The more than a few and varied opening-round Wild Card Series, which get underway on Tuesday, aren’t any exception. 

Specifically, the Minnesota Twins, who sq. off towards the Blue Jays in one of the crucial compelling first-round matchups, have more than one worries on this entrance. As smartly, the Miami Marlins, combatants of the division-rival Phillies of their best-of-three Wild Card Series, have questions on their main offensive engine, whilst the Brewers printed some difficult news about one in all their preferrred pitchers on Monday.

 Let’s take a better take a look at those scenarios. 

Correa most likely to play, other Twins stars TBD

Minnesota, who is taking a look to snap an unthinkable 18-game postseason shedding streak, faces a degree of uncertainty referring to 3 core participants – Carlos Correa, Byron Buxton, and Royce Lewis. Manager Rocco Baldelli would now not tip his hand Monday — “We’re going to set our roster tomorrow when we hit that deadline, and we’ll know the answers then,” he informed newshounds (per the St. Paul Pioneer Press) — despite the fact that president of baseball operations Derek Falvey indicated Correa is a sure for the Wild Card Series, Lewis is a perhaps, and Buxton is a most likely now not.

Correa, the Twins’ shortstop and marquee addition of final iciness, has continued a subpar season through his requirements, and accidents most likely have a lot to do with it. Specifically, a debilitating case of plantar fasciitis has restricted him since no less than May, and he is nonetheless been coping with it. Correa hasn’t seemed in a recreation since Sept. 18, however on the eve of Game 1 he informed newshounds he’ll be ready to go for the series opener. The query, in fact, is how shut to 100% he’s and the way efficient he will be. 

Buxton has been laid up since Aug. 1 with a hamstring harm. He’s handled accidents his complete profession, and the Twins this season made Buxton – an elite defensive middle fielder – an unique DH in part in an effort to stay him more healthy and in part as a result of ongoing knee problems. The manner labored till it did not. Prior to his present harm, Buxton had carried out smartly beneath his standard degree on the plate, so he is a query mark even supposing he will get the fairway gentle for the Blue Jays collection. That’s particularly the case given the lengthy layoff. 

Royce Lewis the other harm X-factor for Minny. The teen and previous No. 1 total pick out has performed not anything however hit when wholesome, however he is waylaid through accidents in his younger profession. He hasn’t observed recreation motion since Sept. 19 with a hamstring harm of his personal. When he is a cross, he is most likely the Twins’ preferrred hitter, so it is going with out announcing – about to say it anyway – that they want him within the lineup towards Toronto. If Lewis is healed sufficient to be rostered, he will most likely be restricted to DH responsibility and a candidate for a pinch-runner must he succeed in in a very powerful spot. 

Marlins be expecting to have batting champ

Does any hitter imply extra to any playoff lineup than Luis Arraez does? “No,” is an excessively believable solution to that query. That’s partially as a result of Arraez is a wonderful batsman. That’s additionally since the Marlins’ offense could be misplaced with out him. 

On the primary level, Arraez, the NL batting name winner, this season slashed .354/.393/.469 with extra extra-base hits (43) than strikeouts (34). That’s particular manufacturing, particularly for a center infielder, and Arraez continues to flash the most productive touch talents in baseball. On the latter level, the Marlins even with Arraez’s contributions ranked tenth within the NL in OPS and final in runs scored. That is to say, he is not a bat they are able to find the money for to be with out. 

Speaking of which, Arraez has performed sparingly since a Sept. 19 mishap all through infield drills that ended in an ankle sprain. The excellent news for the Fish is that indicators level to sure for his or her preferrred hitter: 

The Marlins are already heavy underdogs towards the Phillies, so suffice it to say they want Arraez within the lineup and swinging the cudgel.

Woodruff will omit Wild Card Series

Brewers righty Brandon Woodruff will omit no less than the Wild Card Series with a shoulder harm. His availability for the remainder of the postseason is unknown. Woodruff neglected with regards to all the first 4 months of the season with a shoulder factor, and he confirmed diminished pace in his final common season get started. The Brewers skipped his final scheduled day trip to give him more leisure.