Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Chris Paddack is battling issues with his right elbow. Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Twins SP Chris Paddack possibly heading for surgery due to right elbow inflammation?

The Minnesota Twins made an Opening Day trade with the San Diego Padres in April, acquiring starting pitcher Chris Paddack, reliever Emilio Pagan and a player to be named later in exchange for closer Taylor Rogers, outfielder Brent Rooker and cash. The early returns for Minnesota haven't been great, as not only has Rogers dominated to the tune of a 11 2/3 shutout innings and an NL-leading 11 saves (tied with Josh Hader of the Milwaukee Brewers), but Paddack has been average thus far with a 1-2 record, 1.20 WHIP and 4.03 ERA through five starts.

To make matters worse, Paddack exited his last start with an injury and now could be facing an extended absence.

Paddack was selected by the Miami Marlins in the eighth round of the 2015 MLB June Amateur Draft and was traded to the Padres for former three-time All-Star closer Fernando Rodney in June 2016. Paddack made his big-league debut on March 31, 2019 and over his career, has gone 21-21 with a 4.20 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 330 strikeouts over 330 1/3 innings innings pitched covering 66 games (65 starts).

The Twins entered Tuesday with an AL Central-leading 18-11 record.

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