Twins Activate Delmon Young

Added on May 13, 2011 by Scott in

MLB

The struggling Minnesota Twins will get some much needed punch back into their lineup tonight after injured left fielder Delmon Young was activated from the disabled list. Young has been out for the last 19 games with a strained oblique. During his absence, the beat-up Twins have suffered through a dreadful 6-13 stretch.

The 25-year-old Young experienced a breakthrough season in 2010, hitting .298 with 21 home runs and 112 RBI. His active bat was integral to the Twins winning their sixth AL Central Division title of the decade, before losing to the Yankees in the American League Division Series.

Thus far, the 2011 season has been the complete opposite for Young and the Twins. Prior to being shipped to the DL with his oblique strain, Young was off to a slow start. In 16 games, he was hitting .228 with zero homers and only six RBI.

Minnesota is a Major League worst 12-23, having endured five- and six-game losing streaks. In addition to Young’s injury, All-Star catcher Joe Mauer has been sidelined the last 26 games due to weakness in his legs, and designated hitter Jim Thome, who smacked 25 dingers a year ago, has missed 15 games with an ailing back.

Adding insult to injury, slugging first baseman and former AL MVP Justin Morneau is mired in a month-long funk. The career .283 hitter is averaging .214 with only one round-tripper and 9 RBI in 30 games. Obviously, the depleted roster isn’t helping his numbers, but Morneau is too talented to be hovering around the Mendoza Line.

Young’s return should add pop to a lineup that ranks near the bottom in almost all statistical categories. However, it’s probably too little too late at this point. With the Indians proving to be a legit contender in the Central, a miraculous resurgence in the Twin Cities is improbable.

Even if Mauer and Thome regain their health and Morneau finds his swing, the Twins face a steep uphill climb out of the American League basement.

Source: CBSSports.com