Overview
- The Twins announced Thursday that Sands will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow and will not pitch again in 2026.
- Reporting says the operation will remove loose bodies and bone spurs and will be accompanied by a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection.
- Sands first landed on the injured list at the start of May with a diagnosed flexor/forearm strain, underwent two MRIs and a CT scan, and was shut down after recurring symptoms during rehab stints.
- On the field this year Sands’ four-seam velocity dropped to about 93.1 mph, he allowed a 56.4% hard-hit rate and finished with an 8.25 ERA in 13 appearances.
- Minnesota does not expect the loss to change its trade-deadline plans and has turned to Yoendrys Gomez as its primary late-inning option while the club evaluates bullpen upgrades.