CHICAGO — The Twins had no idea how long Chris Paddack would be down when they placed him on the injured list on June 25 with shoulder fatigue.
But Paddack himself expressed his hope that he would be back before the all-star break to make one or two final starts in the first half.
He got his wish.
Paddack was activated ahead of Monday’s game against the Chicago White Sox, taking the mound for the first time since June 21. He gave up two runs in five innings in his start, permitting three hits in the Twins’ 8-6 extra-inning win over Chicago.
Over the month of June, Paddack, who spent much of last season rehabbing from his second Tommy John surgery, described his body and arm feeling heavy. His velocity took a dive, and the results suffered.
But now, his arm “feels great,” he said.
“I gave (trainers) Nick (Paparesta) and Masa (Abe), all the training staff, a hug,” Paddack said. “It’s always a positive thing when you come back off the IL. We established a really good routine, added some things I didn’t have or have never done in the six years I’ve been in the big leagues. So you continue to learn on what your body needs as you get older.”
While manager Rocco Baldelli said they knew a shutdown period for Paddack was “probably likely” at some point, they couldn’t predict when or how long it would be.
It ended up being just two starts.
“His arm, his body, I think he was wearing down a little bit,” Baldelli said. “I talked to (pitching coach) Pete (Maki) specifically about it this week. He said, ‘I think he’s in a great spot. I think his arm is feeling the way he wants it to feel. The stuff has been very good in the bullpen. He’s ready to pitch.’ When I hear he’s ready to pitch, that’s what it really comes down to.”
Miranda named Player of Week
For a week in which he tied a long-standing Major League Baseball record, recording 12 consecutive at-bats with a hit, Twins infielder Jose Miranda has been named the American League Player of the Week.
Miranda hit a cool .700 (14 for 20) on the week, leading the majors in batting average, on-base percentage and hits. In the process, he set a new team record by reaching base in 13 straight plate appearances — 12 hits and a hit by pitch.
Miranda had five hits in the Twins’ win over Detroit on Thursday and followed that up with four the next day, only the 11th time in team history that a player had consecutive four-hit games.
Stewart to start rehab
At long last, Brock Stewart is finally set to begin a rehab assignment, a good sign that his return is near. Stewart, one of the top relievers in the Twins’ bullpen when healthy, was placed on the injured list on May 3 with right shoulder tendinitis.
He is scheduled to pitch on Tuesday in Louisville. The Twins have not laid out a plan for him publicly, though given the length of time he has missed, it’s expected that he will make multiple rehab outings.
Briefly
Bailey Ober will take the mound on Tuesday in the second game in Chicago, opposed by White Sox starter Eric Fedde. … Josh Winder was sent down to Triple-A to make room on the roster for Paddack. Winder pitched in one game this week and gave up four runs, three of them earned, over two innings. … Carlos Correa was in the lineup Monday a day after exiting the game early after getting hit by a pitch on the hand.