Cole Sands Injury News & Updates

Sands was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul on Monday, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports.

Sands wasn't going to be available for a couple days after needing 50 pitches to get through a two-inning relief outing Sunday. The Twins are expected to recall Louie Varland to replace Sands in the bullpen.

Sands was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul.

Sands appeared in four games for the Saints after he was demoted on July 28, throwing 5.1 shutout innings with 10 strikeouts. He'll work in a long relief role again with the Twins after Brent Headrick was sent to Triple-A after throwing 67 pitches over 3.1 relief innings in Friday's loss to the Phillies.

Minnesota optioned Sands to Triple-A St. Paul on Friday.

Sands has posted a 4.50 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 14:9 K:BB in 14 innings of relief this season at the major-league level. Jorge Polanco (hamstring) is back from the injured list in a corresponding roster move.

The Twins reinstated Sands (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Sands showed that the shoulder impingement that landed him on the IL was fully behind him during a pair of rehab appearances last week at Triple-A St. Paul, as he tossed three scoreless frames while striking out six and allowing just two baserunners between those outings. He'll likely settle back into a multi-inning or long-relief role out of the Minnesota bullpen now that he's back in action after a month-long absence.

Sands (shoulder) is beginning a rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday, Brandon Warne of Access Twins reports.

Sands had posted a 0.73 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 12.1 innings of relief for the Twins before he landed on the injured list in early June due to a right shoulder impingement. He could be an option again for the Minnesota bullpen sometime next week.

Sands (shoulder) is set to begin throwing off a mound this week, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Sands landed on the injured list on June 4 due to a right shoulder impingement. He'll likely need to go on a rehab assignment before returning. It wouldn't be surprising to see him activated and sent to Triple-A as he's mostly served as a long reliever in the majors.

The Twins placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a right shoulder impingement.

Sands had not worked in a game since May 30 after throwing 2.1 scoreless frames against the Astros. The right-hander will be out for two-plus weeks while he recovers, and the Twins reinstated Caleb Thielbar (oblique) off the 15-day IL in a corresponding move.

Sands was recalled by the Twins on Saturday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Sands made the Twins' Opening Day roster but got into just two games before being demoted in mid-April. He returns nearly a month later with Dereck Rodriguez optioned to Triple-A St. Paul.

Sands was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul on Friday.

Sands has appeared in two games with the Twins so far in 2023, surrendering one run on six hits, including a homer, while striking out three batters over four innings. It seems likely that the 25-year-old will get another shot with Minnesota at some point this season, but for now Louie Varland was called up from Triple-A and will replace him on the major-league roster.

Sands looks set to make the Opening Day roster for the Twins as a long reliever, MLB.com reports.

Danny Coulombe and Bailey Ober were sent to Triple-A which makes it almost certain Sands will begin the season in the majors. Manager Rocco Baldelli said he wants to keep a long reliever in the bullpen, so Sands will fill that role. Despite a 5.55 ERA at Triple-A last season, Sands was called up to the majors several times last season thanks to a strong strikeout rate (10.5 K/9).

Sands picked up a four-inning save in Wednesday's 10-1 victory over the White Sox. He allowed one run on four hits and one walk while striking out one.

Sands entered the game with Minnesota up 10-0 in the sixth inning, and he pitched well, holding the White Sox to just one unearned run over four innings. The strong effort earned Sands the four-inning save, which was the first of his young career. Through 30.2 innings in the big leagues this season, Sands was 0-3 with a 5.87 ERA and 28 strikeouts.

The Twins recalled Sands from Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday.

Sands will give the Twins a fresh arm out of the bullpen behind starter Louie Varland in Wednesday's season finale. Minnesota optioned Simeon Woods Richardson to Triple-A to clear room on the active roster for Sands.

The Twins optioned Sands to Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Minnesota will replace Sands in the bullpen with a fresh arm in Jharel Cotton, whose contract was selected from Triple-A in a corresponding move. Sands worked 3.1 innings in relief of Chris Archer (pectoral) -- who was placed on the injured list Sunday -- in Saturday's 6-4 loss to the Guardians, giving up three earned runs on two hits and five walks.

Sands (elbow) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list Thursday, Brandon Warne of Access Twins reports.

Sands spent the last two weeks on the injured list with an elbow issue but recently made a pair of rehab appearances at Triple-A St. Paul. The right-hander posted a 1.29 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in seven innings over four appearances for the Twins in August.

Sands (elbow) began a rehab assignment at Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday and made his second appearance for the affiliate Sunday, covering 2.2 innings while allowing two earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out two.

Sands wasn't quite as sharp Sunday as he was during his first appearance four days earlier, when he gave up one earned run on two hits and no walks over two innings. The right-hander will likely get at least two days to rest up before the Twins decide whether to have him make another rehab outing or make his return from the 15-day injured list. He'll work as a long reliever out of the bullpen whenever he's activated.

Sands was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right elbow contusion Wednesday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Sands was hit in the elbow by a comebacker during Tuesday's loss to the Astros, and the issue will force him to miss at least two weeks. It's not yet clear when he'll be able to return, but Devin Smeltzer was recalled Wednesday to take his place on the active roster.

Sands exited Tuesday's loss to the Astros after being struck in the upper right arm by a comebacker, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

The 24-year-old followed starter Aaron Sanchez and allowed a run on four hits with three strikeouts and zero walks over two innings before being hit by the comebacker. Sands threw 38 pitches and was likely to be unavailable for a day or two regardless of the injury due to the workload, and he should be considered day-to-day for now.

Sands was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul on Friday.

The 25-year-old was demoted to St. Paul in mid-June but will return to the big-league club Friday. Sands has received his first taste of MLB action this year and has an 8.82 ERA, 1.78 WHIP and 18:7 K:BB across 16.1 innings.

The Twins optioned Sands to Triple-A St. Paul on Monday.

Minnesota is expected to get Joe Ryan (illness) back from the COVID-19-related injured list and Sonny Gray (pectoral) from the 15-day injured list this week, so the team had no need to keep Sands around as a No. 5 starter. Sands has made five appearances (three starts) with the big club this season, going 0-3 with an 8.82 ERA, 1.78 WHIP and 18:7 K:BB across 16.1 innings. He should slot back into the Triple-A rotation upon his return to St. Paul.

Sands (0-3) allowed five runs on five hits and a walk with five strikeouts in 4.2 innings, taking the loss Sunday versus the Rays.

Sands got through the Rays' order once without trouble, but he struggled after that. While this was his longest appearance of the year, he didn't enjoy any additional success, as he's now allowed at least four runs in all three of his starts this year. The 24-year-old has an 8.82 ERA, 1.78 WHIP and 18:7 K:BB across 16.1 innings in five appearances overall. With Joe Ryan (illness) and Sonny Gray (pectoral) due back this week, Sands is likely to slip out of the rotation, and he could head back to Triple-A St. Paul or end up in the bullpen again.

Manager Rocco Baldelli said Wednesday that Sands is likely to receive another turn through the starting rotation, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The 24-year-old has allowed eight runs in 7.2 innings over his past two starts but is set for another turn through Minnesota's rotation since Joe Ryan (illness) and Josh Winder (shoulder) aren't quite ready to return from the injured list. Assuming Sands remains on a five-day pitching schedule, he lines up to take the mound Sunday against Tampa Bay.

Sands (0-2) took the loss Tuesday, allowing four runs on eight hits and two walks over 3.2 innings against the Yankees. He struck out three.

Sands struggled in his second start of the season, allowing four runs and throwing 89 pitches in just 3.2 innings. The young righty earned his second loss in as many starts. In four appearances this season, Sands' ERA sits at 8.49.

The Twins recalled Sands from Triple-A St. Paul ahead of his scheduled start Tuesday against the Yankees in Minnesota.

The Twins placed outfielder Kyle Garlick (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list to create room on the 26-man active roster for Sands, who will be making his second start and fourth appearance of the season for the big club. Over a sample of 18.2 innings at Triple-A this season, Sands has been tagged for 15 earned runs on 23 hits and six walks while striking out 21, so he remains a risky fantasy option while he opposes a powerful Yankees lineup. Sands is expected to return to the minors following the start, with Joe Ryan (illness) likely to return from the COVID-19 injured list to replace him later in the week.

The Twins will call up Sands from Triple-A St. Paul to start Tuesday's game against the Yankees in Minnesota, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Sands is most likely just making a spot start for the Twins, who could have either Joe Ryan (illness) or Josh Winder (shoulder) ready to return from the COVID-19-related injured list and 15-day injured list, respectively, by the weekend. The 24-year-old Sands has previously made three appearances (one start) for Minnesota this season, giving up seven earned runs on nine hits and four walks while striking out 10 over eight innings.

Sands was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday.

The Twins returned Sands to the minors after he was designated as the 27th man for Tuesday's doubleheader with the Tigers. He started the second game of the twin bill and was handed a loss after striking out four over four innings while allowing four earned runs on five hits and four free passes.

Sands (0-1) took the loss in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Tigers, giving up four runs on five hits and four walks over four innings. He struck out four.

Making his first career start in the majors, Sands labored to find the plate and threw only 54 of 91 pitches for strikes before getting the hook. The Twins could get Sonny Gray (pectoral) or Joe Ryan (COVID-19) back shortly, so Sands will likely return to the bullpen in a long relief role or get sent back to Triple-A St. Paul.

The Twins recalled Sands from Triple-A St. Paul ahead of his scheduled start in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader with the Tigers.

Though Minnesota's rotation is in flux with Sonny Gray (pectoral) considered day-to-day and at risk of landing on the injured list, Sands is unlikely to stick around with the big club beyond Tuesday's start. Even if Gray is forced to the IL, the Twins should get Joe Ryan (illness) back from the COVID-19-related IL in the coming days to fill a potential opening in the rotation. That being said, Sands could make for a decent streaming option Tuesday while facing off against a weak Tigers offense that will be without two of its better everyday hitters in Robbie Grossman (neck) and Austin Meadows (vertigo), who are both on the 10-day injured list. Between his six appearances (five starts) at Triple-A and two relief outings with the big club this season, Sands has struck out 27 and issued only six walks over 22.2 innings.

Sands was called up from Triple-A St. Paul and will start Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader versus the Tigers, Megan Ryan of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Sands will operate as the Twins 27th man and is officially set to make his first career start in the big-leagues Tuesday evening. The right-hander has struggled this season in Triple-A, producing a 7.23 ERA and 1.59 WHIP over 18.2 innings in five starts and six appearances overall. Additionally, Sands has tossed four frames with the Twins in 2022, surrendering three runs.

Sands will start the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Tigers, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Sands missed nearly two weeks with a left groin strain earlier in May, but he returned to action May 24 and tossed three scoreless innings at Triple-A St. Paul. Both of the right-hander's appearances with the Twins have come out of the bullpen, but he'll make his first major-league start during Tuesday's nightcap.

Triple-A St. Paul activated Sands (groin) from its 7-day injured list Tuesday, Brandon Warne of Access Twins reports.

Sands hasn't pitched since May 12 due to a left groin strain, but he'll slot back into the Rochester rotation Tuesday. Over 15.2 innings with the Triple-A club this season, Sands has given up 15 earned runs on 22 hits and five walks while striking out 18.

Sands was placed on the 7-day minor-league injured list with Triple-A St. Paul on Friday due to a left groin strain, Brandon Warne of Access Twins reports.

Sands was sent back down after serving as the extra man for Thursday's doubleheader against the Astros but promptly hit the injured list with an issue he likely picked up during his two-inning relief appearance. His expected return date is not yet clear.

Sands will be recalled from Triple-A St. Paul to serve as the Twins' 27th man for the second of two games against the Astros on Thursday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

The Twins and Astros will first resume and finish the game that was suspended in the top of the fourth inning Wednesday before playing a standard nine-inning game later in the day in what will be the series finale. Sands will only be eligible to pitch in the second contest of the day and will provide some length out of the bullpen behind starter Josh Winder. Expect Sands to head back to St. Paul on Friday.

Sands was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Sands was called up Friday, but he didn't appear in the team's win over the Athletics. He'll head back to the minors since Sonny Gray (hamstring) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list prior to Saturday's start.

Sands was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul on Friday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Sands is one of the Twins' top pitching prospects, but this will likely be an opportunity to work out of the big-league bullpen. He has struggled this year at Triple-A, logging a 7.82 ERA in 12.2 innings through four appearances, but he had a 2.46 ERA in 80.1 innings last year at Double-A.

Sands was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday.

Sands made his major-league debut Sunday against the Rays and allowed two runs on three hits and no walks while striking out two in two relief innings. The right-hander is a top prospect in the Twins' organization but will head back to the minors since the team needs to trim its active roster to 26 players by Monday.

Sands was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday.

Sands has served mainly as a starter in the minors, but he's allowed 10 runs in 2.2 innings over his last two outings. In spite of his recent struggles, the right-hander is one of Minnesota's top prospects and will be available to make his major-league debut after Bailey Ober (groin) was placed on the 10-day injured list. Josh Winder is considered a candidate to take Ober's place in the rotation, so it seems likely that Sands will pitch out of the bullpen for now.

The Twins optioned Sands to Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Sands was one of six pitchers optioned to minor-league camp as the Twins made their first round of cuts. The 24-year-old right-hander was added to the 40-man roster over the offseason after he turned in a 2.46 ERA and 96:35 K:BB in 80.1 innings at Double-A Wichita in 2021.