MINNEAPOLIS -- An already frustrating Twins season took two big blows during Tuesday’s 6-3 win over the Mets.
Outfielder MATT WALLNER felt tightness in his left hamstring while running out an infield hit in the first inning and was removed from the game. Four innings later, shortstop CARLOS CORREA suffered left wrist soreness and was also pulled.
Wallner has been the Twins’ best hitter in the early going, boasting a .263/.373/.474 line while starting every game either in the outfield or at designated hitter. Correa has been off to a slow start at the plate but has remained a key defender and had an RBI single earlier in Tuesday's game.
With two outs in the bottom of the first, Wallner hit a slow roller to the left side that was fielded by New York third baseman Mark Vientos. He beat out Vientos’ throw for a single, but he appeared to suffer his injury as he approached the base.
Correa’s injury seemed to come out of nowhere. He fouled off a pitch, then shook his left hand before reaching for it. He removed his batting glove as he winced, and after a brief conference with manager Rocco Baldelli and athletic trainer Masa Abe, he walked off before he could complete the at-bat.
DaShawn Keirsey Jr. replaced Wallner in the game, while Brooks Lee replaced Correa.
Pete Alonso
Ty France
Carlos Correa
Juan Soto
Harrison Bader
Brooks Lee homers (1) on a fly ball to right center field.
MINNEAPOLIS -- In a season that has already thrown so much at them, the Twins’ Tuesday night game against the Mets threatened to be the worst of the year so far. Then something unusual happened: they won.
I think we just picked those guys up,” said outfielder Byron Buxton, who singled twice, stole a base and scored two runs --- including one on an athletic slide on a contact play. “Obviously, seeing them go down, especially in that situation -- Wally first inning and Correa late in the game -- it’s just one of those things where we try to push that line down to make sure we’re picking each other up. Tonight was a perfect example of us making sure we’ve got each other’s backs.”
The Twins won’t know how long they’ll be without Correa and Wallner until Wednesday, when both are expected to get MRIs. The team has an early afternoon game Wednesday, then an off-day Thursday before a brief one-series road trip to Atlanta. So even if one or both players heads to the injured list, it’s possible no transactions would happen before Friday.
Wallner felt tightness in his left hamstring while running out an infield hit in the first inning and was immediately removed from the game. Four innings later, Correa suffered left wrist soreness and was also pulled.