Minnesota Twins’ Miguel Sano Lands on DL With Strain

May 31, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Minnesota Twins right fielder Miguel Sano (22) is unable to control the ball for an Oakland Athletics RBI triple during the second inning at the Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
May 31, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Minnesota Twins right fielder Miguel Sano (22) is unable to control the ball for an Oakland Athletics RBI triple during the second inning at the Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Twins have placed Miguel Sano on the disabled list and have recalled Max Kepler

The Minnesota Twins’ wretched luck has continued with Miguel Sano joining the long list of injured. Sano suffered a hamstring strain in last night’s game. He’ll be placed on the 15 day disabled list. That makes the second day in a row that the Twins have had an outfielder go down to a hamstring strain.

Danny Santana landed on the disabled list the previous day with the same injury.

Max Kepler will get the call to take Sano’s spot. Kepler will make his second stint with the Twins this year. He was called upon in early April to fill in for Danny Santana on his first DL stint of the year. Kepler himself is coming off a strain and a 7 day DL stint.

More from Puckett's Pond

Kepler had just two hits and two walks in 14 plate appearances with the Twins this year. With AAA Rochester he’s slashed .283 .371 .453. He’ll join follow top prospect Byron Buxton back in the major league outfield.

Just as with Buxton, Kepler may continue his offensive struggles but will at least be an defensive upgrade over Sano.

Kepler has lots of offensive potential but he’s not at Miguel’s level of skill and experience with the bat yet. Sano has had notable issues defensively but his bat has been an asset. Sano’s had to contend with the difficult task of learning a new position.

He’s put together a .236 .340 .461 slash line in 209 plate appearances and was just starting to really catch fire. He’s hit 11 home runs but has led the league in strikeouts with 71.

Sano is not expected to miss a significant amount of games

Next: Twins Ups and Downs

The Twins now have 4 players on a disabled list. Kyle Gibson is due to be reinstated from his DL stint this Thursday.