FORT MYERS, FLA. — Due to his teammates' injuries, Gilberto Celestino played more games in the outfield than any other Twin last season. But now Celestino's own injury will keep him out of action for part of 2023.
Twins outfielder Gilberto Celestino will have thumb surgery, miss start of season
Thrown into action last season because of injuries to others, the 24-year-old Dominican played more games than any other Twins outfielder.
March 3, 2023 at 6:34AM
Celestino will require surgery to repair a tear in the ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb, the team announced Thursday. The injury will sideline Celestino for six to eight weeks.
The 24-year-old outfielder tore the ligament by jamming his thumb into second base while sliding headfirst during a successful steal attempt in the third inning of Tuesday's 10-7 victory over Atlanta.
Celestino hit .238 with two home runs and 24 RBI in 122 games in 2022.
Twins edge Rays
DaShawn Keirsey had an RBI double in the top of the ninth, stole third and scored the go-ahead run on a throwing error by Rays catcher Roberto Alvarez as the Twins beat Tampa Bay 4-2 in an exhibition game in St. Petersburg on Thursday.
The Twins, who had only three hits in the game, trailed 2-1 entering the ninth when Noah Miller singled, stole second and advanced to third on a groundout. Keirsey hit a drive to right that was originally ruled a home run, but turned into a double on replay.
Kenta Maeda started for the Twins and threw two scoreless innings, and Jose Miranda had an RBI single.
A report in Bloomberg News said the private equity billionaire has met with people in Minnesota to learn more about the team.
