As you've all likely heard by now, Byron Buxton is out with an injured wrist until at least May, per team sources. Buxton's injury is, unfortunately enough, not the team's only notable injury of a star prospect this season -- Miguel Sano underwent Tommy John surgery just last month, after right elbow injuries continued to plague him. The surgery did go well, and the good news is that Sano will likely be able to start coming back in about six months, but these are just two of the injuries that have hit the organization rather hard in the past couple of seasons -- and there is often question of whether or not the treatment has come too late.
Now that Sano's surgery is over, and he can start rehabbing, fans can expect to see him in either the Arizona Fall League or in the Dominican Winter League -- he's undecided as of yet -- but he for sure will be out until after the 2014 season, after being slated to start at Double-A. For Buxton, however, the Twins are hoping to avoid any longer delays with his wrist injury, and have 'hoped' that he'll be able to start at Double-A come May, but haven't said anything solid about the timetable (which is very unsurprising for anyone that's followed this team the past few years).
Alex Meyer, another top-ranked Twins prospect, has had his share of injuries since joining the team. Last June in New Britain, Meyer went on the DL in June with a shoulder strain. His shoulder had been nagging him, but it took a while before he was actually placed on the disabled list. After that, Meyer didn't return to the team and only pitched again in the Arizona Fall League. He's starting his 2014 season with the AAA Rochester Red Wings, and in his 10.1 IP has struck out 11, walked 1, and given up 3 earned runs.
Matt Hoffman, the lefty reliever signed by the Twins in December who's now pitching in Rochester, is currently on the 7-day DL with an arm issue. Right-handed pitcher for the New Britain Rock Cats, Daniel Turpen, is also listed on the disabled list. Turpen was the last piece in the Kevin Slowey trade, coming to Minnesota from the Colorado Rockies.
Fort Myers currently has a fair share of injured players as well, as they see both right-handed pitchers Zack Jones and Tyler Jones on the DL, left-handed pitcher Corey Williams, outfielder Buxton, OF J.D. Williams, OF Lance Ray, and OF Nate Roberts.
Down in Cedar Rapids, the Twins organization only has a couple players out for the time being, as RHP Luke Bard and SS Ryan Walker are injured. Bard, the oft-injured thrower, hasn't seen much pitching time since being drafted, and the Twins are likely to start looking at him as a reliever instead of a starter soon. His numbers are harder to analyze because of missing time, and since he's still at the low-A level at age 23, he needs to find a groove and stay in it without injuries this season to see what can come of his career.
Overall, the organization doesn't necessarily have more injuries than other teams, but the major injuries they've accrued the past season or two have definitely had more impact than most teams. With their top two prospects out right now, the organization will struggle to have players to showcase for the future. Ideally, we'll see Buxton back in the next few weeks, and that might have to be enough for now.