Twins’ Santana to Miss Start of Season After Finger Surgery

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Twins right-hander Ervin Santana will miss the start of the regular season after undergoing unexpected surgery on his right middle finger.

The Twins announced the 35-year-old right-hander had the procedure done Tuesday in New York by Dr. Charles Melone, after experiencing discomfort during a bullpen session last week. Santana is expected to need 10 to 12 weeks of rehabilitation before he can pitch in a major league game, which would keep him out of the rotation until at least mid-April.

Santana has had trouble with the digit before and had it examined by X-ray and MRI test after the 2017 season. He was treated with an injection at the time, but the injury resurfaced last week.

Santana was an All-Star last year, going 16-8 with a 3.28 ERA in 33 starts. He started in the AL wild-card game, which the Twins lost at Yankee Stadium.