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Mitch Garver returns to Twins’ lineup against the Rays

By Chris Schad

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MAY 10: Mitch Garver #18 of the Minnesota Twins celebrates a two-run home run against the Detroit Tigers during the fourth inning of the game on May 10, 2019 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MAY 10: Mitch Garver #18 of the Minnesota Twins celebrates a two-run home run against the Detroit Tigers during the fourth inning of the game on May 10, 2019 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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The Minnesota Twins catcher returned to the lineup on Sunday as he returned from an ankle injury that put him on the shelf.

As if the Minnesota Twins needed another boost to their potent lineup, they got one on Sunday afternoon as catcher Mitch Garver returned to the lineup in the team’s 9-7 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.

Garver had been out for the Twins since May 14 when he was injured in a home plate collision with Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani. The catcher began a rehab assignment at Double-A Pensacola on Friday and the proximity of that assignment allowed Garver to make it to St. Petersburg to lead off for the Twins on Sunday afternoon.

Garver went 1-for-4 with a run scored for the Twins and looks to pick up where he left off before getting hurt. The 28-year old has been an offensive juggernaut for the Twins hitting .325 with 9 HR, 19 RBI and a 1.140 OPS in 25 games for Minnesota this season.

Despite Garver missing time in the lineup, the Twins offense didn’t skip a beat as they slugged 52 home runs during the month of May and rattled off a stretch where they have won 15 of their past 18 games including Sunday’s win over the Rays.

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Garver’s return is huge for the Twins as they look to also get the return of Nelson Cruz from a wrist injury. With Minnesota’s lineup at full strength, the Twins could be in a great position to expand their 11.5 game lead in the American League Central when they begin a three-game series against the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday evening.

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