Twins' Anthony DeSclafani: Undergoes season-ending surgery
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Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey revealed Saturday that DeSclafani will be out for the season after undergoing flexor tendon surgery on his right elbow, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
The silver lining is that DeSclafani did not undergo Tommy John surgery, but the right-hander will be sidelined for the season. DeSclafani experienced right elbow soreness at the beginning of March, and while he was able to throw some bullpen sessions and a minor-league game, he will ultimately not play in 2024. Louie Varland is now cemented as the Twins' fifth starting pitcher.
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Twins' Anthony DeSclafani: Opens on 60-day IL
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The Twins placed DeSclafani (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Thursday.
After being acquired from the Mariners in January, DeSclafani was expected to open the season as a back-end starter for the Twins, but he was diagnosed with a right elbow strain following an appearance in a minor-league spring training game in mid-March and will be headed for an extended absence. The Twins haven't offered up a firm timeline for his return, but after landing on the 60-day IL, DeSclafani will be sidelined for at least two months.
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Twins' Anthony DeSclafani: IL bound with forearm strain
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Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey said DeSclafani will open the season on the 15-day injured list with a right forearm strain, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
According to Helfand, Falvey adds that DeSclafani will have his injury assessed by renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Keith Meister, after which the Twins should have a better idea on a treatment plan for the right-hander. DeSclafani had entered spring training as a frontrunner for a back-end spot in the Minnesota rotation, but he didn't make any Cactus League appearances while the Twins eased him back after his 2023 campaign was cut short by a right elbow flexor strain. DeSclafani was able to cover 1.2 innings in a minor-league spring training game over the weekend, but his forearm apparently didn't respond well. Though DeSclafani will be eligible to return from the IL around the middle of April, given the nature of his injury and his history of arm trouble, it wouldn't be surprising if he required a long-term absence, regardless of whether or not Meister recommends surgery. Louie Varland now looks to be the leading candidate to open the season as Minnesota's No. 5 starter.
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Twins' Anthony DeSclafani: Throws in minor league game
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DeSclafani (elbow) threw 1.2 innings in a Triple-A spring training game Saturday with three strikeouts and two walks, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
DeSclafani hasn't appeared in a major-league spring training game, but that could come in the next week. DeSclafani has made nice progress since feeling soreness in his right elbow at the beginning of the month, but it's not certain he'll be ready for Opening Day despite this progress. His primary competition for the fifth spot in the rotation, Louie Varland, has thrown 11 scoreless innings with an 11:1 K:BB this spring.
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Twins' Anthony DeSclafani: Pitching in minors game next
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DeSclafani (elbow) got through another bullpen session without issue Thursday and his next step is to pitch in a minor-league game, Nick Nelson of Twins Daily reports.
Twins manager Rocco Baldelli wasn't sure which day the minor-league appearance would take place, but it's imminent. DeSclafani has made nice progress since feeling soreness in his right elbow at the beginning of the month, but his availability for Opening Day remains very much in question. His primary competition for the fifth spot in the rotation, Louie Varland, has spun 11 scoreless innings with an 11:1 K:BB this spring.
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Twins' Anthony DeSclafani: Completes bullpen session
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DeSclafani (elbow) felt good after a 35-pitch bullpen session Friday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
The veteran right-hander has been slowed by right elbow soreness, but he's building up his workload and could soon face live hitters. DeSclafani will meet with the training staff Saturday to determine the next steps in his recovery.
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Twins' Anthony DeSclafani: Throws another bullpen session
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DeSclafani (elbow) threw another bullpen session Monday as he ramps back up following a brief shutdown period, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.
DeSclafani experienced soreness in his right elbow following his second live batting practice session of the spring. However, he was cleared for a bullpen session this past Friday and threw off a mound again Monday. The setback was worrisome given that DeSclafani is coming back from a flexor strain, but the Twins maintain confidence he can be ready for Opening Day. Working in the team's and the pitcher's favor is multiple early season off days, which would allow DeSclafani about five weeks to ramp back up, if that's the route the Twins want to take. If healthy, the righty looks to have a leg up over Louie Varland for the fifth spot in Minnesota's rotation.
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Twins' Anthony DeSclafani: Delayed by elbow soreness
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DeSclafani has been slowed in Twins' camp by right elbow soreness, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
DeSclafani felt some soreness following his second live batting practice session. While he's resumed long toss and hopes to return to a mound in a few days, the setback is a troubling development given that he missed much of the 2023 campaign with a flexor issue. For what it's worth, trainer Nick Paparesta said Friday that DeSclafani still has time to be ready for Opening Day. The righty is competing with Louie Varland for the fifth spot in the rotation.
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Twins' Anthony DeSclafani: Fully healthy entering spring
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DeSclafani (elbow) is considered fully healthy at the start of spring training, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
DeSclafani was limited to 19 starts in 2023 due to a right flexor strain but told reporters Wednesday that he's been throwing for months. The veteran right-hander was acquired via trade last month and is competing to be the Twins' fifth starter.
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Twins' Anthony DeSclafani: Joining Twins via Polanco deal
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DeSclafani (elbow), Justin Topa, Gabriel Gonzalez and Darren Bowen were traded from the Mariners to the Twins on Monday in exchange for Jorge Polanco, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.
DeSclafani's tenure in Seattle didn't last long, as the right-hander was dealt to the Mariners earlier in the month alongside Mitch Haniger in exchange for Robbie Ray. DeSclafani was limited to 19 starts in 2023 due to a right flexor strain, and while the hope is that he'll be ready for Opening Day, he's yet to get the all clear. Once healthy, he'll compete with Chris Paddack and Louie Varland for one of the final two spots in MInnesota's rotation.
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Mariners' Anthony DeSclafani: Acquired by Mariners
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The Mariners acquired DeSclafani (elbow), Mitch Haniger (back) and cash considerations from the Giants on Friday in exchange for Robbie Ray (elbow), Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
DeSclafani was limited to just 99.2 innings in 2023 due to a flexor strain after throwing just 19 frames in 2022 because of an ankle injury. He did not require surgery and the hope is that he will be ready for Opening Day in 2024, but it's far from a guarantee. The 33-year-old will make $12 million in 2024 in his final year under contract and should provide experienced depth for a young Seattle rotation.
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Giants' Anthony DeSclafani: Moved to 60-day IL
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DeSclafani (elbow) was transferred Monday from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
DeSclafani landed on the IL in late July with a flexor strain in his right elbow and recently underwent platelet-rich plasma treatment. He's not expected to resume throwing until at least mid-September and seems doubtful to pitch again for the Giants in 2023.
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Giants' Anthony DeSclafani: Season likely over
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DeSclafani will receive a platelet-rich plasma injection in his right elbow and is expected to be shut down from throwing for 6-to-8 weeks, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Based on the 6-to-8-week timeline, DeSclafani's season is almost certainly over, barring a deep postseason run by the Giants. After missing most of last season with an ankle injury, DeSclafani returned to go 4-8 with a 4.88 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 19 appearances (18 starts) for the Giants in 2023. The right-hander is under contract for $12 million in 2024.
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Giants' Anthony DeSclafani: Out with flexor strain
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DeSclafani was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a right elbow flexor strain, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
The right-hander was diagnosed with a Grade 1 strain after undergoing an MRI and will be shut down from throwing for at least the next few weeks, per Pavlovic. DeSclafani is without a timetable for hit return, but he shouldn't be expected back until at least mid-September given the shutdown period, and there's a chance he's unable to return this season.
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Giants' Anthony DeSclafani: Appears set for bulk relief
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DeSclafani appears set to work in bulk relief again Saturday against the Red Sox with Ryan Walker being named the Giants' opening pitcher, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
The Giants have had some success throwing openers in front of their starters this season. It didn't work out well for DeSclafani last weekend -- he allowed four runs on eight hits over 4.1 innings against Washington -- but San Francisco will give it another try Saturday. DeSclafani has a 7.79 ERA and 1.67 WHIP over 32.1 innings since the start of June.
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Giants' Anthony DeSclafani: Struggles again Sunday
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DeSclafani allowed four runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out two over 4.1 innings Sunday against Washington.
After Scott Alexander only recorded two outs as the opener, DeSclafani came on in the first inning, allowing both inherited runners to score before surrendering four runs of his own over his subsequent four innings of work. The 33-year-old DeSclafani has failed to earn a win since May 29 -- he's pitched to a 7.79 ERA over his last 32.1 innings, going 0-4 in that span. Overall, DeSclafani is 4-8 with a 4.88 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 79:20 K:BB across 99.2 innings this season.
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Giants' Anthony DeSclafani: Set up for bulk-relief role
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DeSclafani will likely operate in bulk relief Sunday versus the Nationals, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Scott Alexander will be the Giants' opening pitcher, and then DeSclafani should soon follow him. The 33-year-old right-hander holds a 4.72 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 77:18 K:BB in 95.1 innings this season while exclusively working as a starter.
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Giants' Anthony DeSclafani: Struggles in return
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DeSclafani did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing four runs on four hits over two innings in an 11-10 win over the Reds. He struck out five.
DeSclafani was victimized by the home run ball in his return from a shoulder injury, as he allowed a pair of two-run shots to Jake Fraley and Will Benson in just two innings of work. On a positive note, DeSclafani did have the strikeout pitch working, with five of his six outs coming on Ks. The veteran right-hander has struggled after a solid start to the season, pitching to a 6.44 ERA over his last 12 outings. Overall, he's 4-8 with a 4.72 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 77:18 K:BB across 18 starts (95.1 innings) this season.
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Giants' Anthony DeSclafani: Activated ahead of start
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The Giants reinstated DeSclafani (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his start Tuesday against Cincinnati.
Right shoulder fatigue sent DeSclafani to the IL in early July, and he'll now return to the Giants' rotation after a minimum stay. DeSclafani made a rehab start in rookie ball Thursday, allowing one run on five hits while striking out four batters across four innings. He carries a 4.44 ERA and 1.19 WHIP heading into his start against the slumping Reds.
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Giants' Anthony DeSclafani: Coming off IL on Tuesday
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The Giants plan to activate DeSclafani (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Tuesday to make a start in Cincinnati, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
DeSclafani was shelved earlier this month after experiencing right shoulder fatigue, but he completed a rehab start Thursday without issue and will slot back into the rotation when the Giants require a fifth starter for the first time following the All-Star break. In his outing for the Giants' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate this past Thursday, DeSclafani struck out four over four innings and allowed one run on five hits and no walks.
