The Minnesota Twins are closing in on getting whole again.
On Wednesday we heard that starting pitcher Joe Ryan was returning this weekend, and now we hear that valuable infielder Willi Castro is closing in on a return.
He'll head out on a rehab assignment on Friday, per Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com:
Willi Castro (oblique strain) is headed on a rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul tomorrow.
He'll start his rehab assignment right at Triple-A and could be back with the Twins by the end of the month as they chase an American League Central crown.
In 278 at-bats this year, Castro has proven to be a valuable contributor. He's hitting .241 but has stolen 29 bases, giving a speed threat to a team that is largely a home run hitting team.
He also has defensive versatility and can play all over the infield, something the Twins have needed with Jorge Polanco and Carlos Correa experiencing injuries this year.
The 26-year-old is in his fifth year in the big leagues with the Tigers and Twins. This is his first year in Minnesota.
Entering play on Thursday, the Twins are 65-62 and in first place in the Central. They lead the Cleveland Guardians by 5.0 games in the division.
The Twins are taking on the Texas Rangers on Thursday night at Target Field. Pablo Lopez is pitching for Minnesota against lefty Andrew Heaney. Lopez is 9-6 with a 3.51 ERA this year. He's struck out 187 batters in 153.2 innings.
The Rangers have lost six straight games.
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