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2018 – According to an Rhett Bollinger article, the Twins were dealt a major blow to their rotation when projected Opening Day starter Ervin Santana underwent surgery on his right middle finger. He is expected to be out 10-12 weeks. With Santana out until possibly May, the Twins could look to sign two starters late this off-season to add to a rotation that doesn’t have much depth beyond Santana, Jose Berrios and Kyle Gibson. The injury also affects Santana’s contract status, because his $14 million club option would’ve been guaranteed to vest if he reached 200 innings this season, but now it’s unlikely. The Twins announced that Santana has dealt with discomfort in his middle finger on his throwing hand in the past and underwent an MRI exam and X-rays after the season that showed there was no damage to his tendon. He received an injection at that point, but after throwing last week in advance of Spring Training, he felt discomfort again and saw Dr. Charles Melone in New York. He recommended the surgery and performed it Tuesday. The surgery is officially a capsular release/debridement procedure to his MCP joint.
1998 – The Twins trade second baseman and 1991 Rookie of the Year Chuck Knoblauch to the Yankees and in turn received pitchers Eric Milton and Danny Mota along with shortstop Cristian Guzman and outfielder Brian Buchanan and $3 million in cash. This turned out to be a good trade to get rid of the cranky and surly Knobber who wanted out of Minnesota. Milton and Buchanan were supposedly the jewels in the deal, Milton did well but Buchanan not so much. Guzman was a very pleasant surprise and Mota did zippo.
