Twins minor league report: Prospects beset by injuries

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune

Last update: April 28, 2008 - 7:28 AM

The first installment of the Twins' minor league report should be a fun and happy read. It won't be.

"Well, we've had a lot of injuries,'' said Jim Rantz, Twins director of minor leagues.

Let's begin with the biggest blow, as righthander Kyle Waldrop, a first-round pick in 2004, is out for the season because of shoulder surgery to relieve tightness in the area.

Rantz said there was no damage to the rotator cuff or labrum, but this is a big setback for Waldrop, who needed a step-up season after he went 7-5 with a 3.40 ERA in 16 starts at Class A Fort Myers then 3-6, 5.34 in 11 starts at Class AA New Britain. He turns 23 this season and could use a good season to re-establish himself as a prospect. Now, he'll spend the season in rehab.

Injuries at Beloit

Deibinson Romero, an impressive third-base prospect at Class A Beloit, will miss thre to four weeks because of surgery Tuesday to repair torn meniscus in his right knee. Romero, 21, was batting .214 with a homer and seven RBI at Beloit before injuring the knee while trying to make a play in the field.

And righthander Mike McCardell, another starter the club has an eye on, will miss a few weeks because of a bone chip in his elbow.

Moving on up

Righthanders Danny Graves, who last pitched in the majors in 2006, and Tim Lahey, who rejoined the organization after Rule 5 stints with the Cubs and Phillies, have both been moved from Class A Fort Myers. Graves is now at New Britain, and Lahey has been assigned to Class AAA Rochester. Lahey could pitch his way into the majors this season