central intelligence
Any plans the Twins had for bringing Miguel Sano to the majors this season evaporated when the third base prospect underwent season-ending elbow surgery. But they are hardly the only AL Central team whose blueprint for 2014 has been altered by a major injury. The casualty list:
Tigers: After finishing as the runner-up in Rookie of the Year voting, Jose Iglesias was supposed to be Detroit's shortstop for the next 10 years. But he was diagnosed with stress fractures in both shins in March, likely costing him all of 2014. The Tigers traded for 37-year-old Alex Gonzalez as a stopgap. Closer-in-waiting Bruce Rondon is also gone for the season after elbow surgery.
White Sox: Outfielder Avisail Garcia, acquired in the same trade that sent Iglesias to Detroit, dived for a fly ball in Colorado on Wednesday and tore the labrum in his left shoulder. Surgery will cost him the rest of the season.
Royals: After years of floundering as a starter, Luke Hochevar was brilliant out of the bullpen last year, posting a 1.92 ERA. But the former first-round pick underwent Tommy John surgery in March.
Indians: Center fielder Michael Bourn played with a sore left hamstring late last season, tore it during the regular season's final game, and underwent surgery to repair it. He hoped that was the end of it, but then he strained it during spring training and hasn't yet returned. He's due back within a week, but Cleveland has to be anxious about the potential of reinjury, since speed is a major part of his game.
