On the shelf
The Twins minor league season began with several of their good prospects on the shelf with injuries. As the season gets underway, here are updates on some of them:
Max Kepler, outfielder: Kepler, a German signed as an international prospect the same year as Miguel Sano (2009), will miss a few more weeks because of a left elbow strain. He is expected to start at Class A Cedar Rapids when healthy.
Levi Michael, infielder: Michael, a first-round draft pick out of the University of North Carolina in 2011, has been slowed by a right shoulder strain. He is playing in extended spring training games and could join Class A Fort Myers, where he will play shortstop, in a week.
Dakota Watts, righthander: Watts can touch 97 miles per hour on the radar gun but was slowed by a sore elbow. He has been through rehabilitation and should join Class AA New Britain in a week.
Alex Wimmers, righthander: The first-round pick in 2010 is on the comeback trail following Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery. He is working out in Fort Myers but is still two to three months away from pitching in a game.
Mike Kvasnicka, outfielder: The former Gophers star, acquired in a spring-training trade, had surgery last week to repair a broken hamate bone and is out five more weeks.
J.T. Chargois, righthander: A second-round pick in 2012, Chargois has a strained elbow and is rehabbing in Fort Myers. He is out indefinitely.
La VELLE E. NEAL III
