After missing 41 games, Jorge Polanco returns to Twins lineup — at third base

All-Star Sonny Gray will start for the first place Twins tonight as they begin a three-game series in Kansas City.

July 28, 2023 at 9:48PM
Jorge Polanco is ready to don the “Land of 10,000 Rakes” vest as he returns to the Twins lineup. (Craig Lassig, AP/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Jorge Polanco missed the past 41 Twins games because of a left hamstring strain, and when he returns to the lineup tonight, he'll be in a different position.

Once an All-Star shortstop, the veteran second baseman will start his new gig at third base when the Twins face the Royals at Kauffman Stadium (7:10 p.m., BSN).

Rookie Edouard Julien has taken over at second base, so Polanco will fill in at third, a position that was the property of rookie Royce Lewis before he was injured.

Polanco will hit fifth tonight. He had seven rehab games at Class AAA St. Paul, going 8-for-24. In 30 games with the Twins this season he is hitting .250 with five homers and 16 RBI.

Reliever Cole Sands was sent to the Saints to make room on the 26-man roster.

Sonny Gray (4-4, 3.15 ERA) will pitch for the Twins against righthander Brady Singer (6-8, 5.55).

The first place Twins have a 1½ game lead over the Guardians in the American League Central. The Royals (29-75) have the second worst record in baseball, only a game better than Oakland. The Twins are 9-1 against them this season.

TWINS LINEUP

Willi Castro, CF

Ryan Jeffers, C

Joey Gallo, LF

ROYALS LINEUP

Maikel Garcia, 3B

Bobby Witt, SS

MJ Melendez, LF

Salvador Perez, 1B

Freddy Fermin, C

Michael Massey, DH

Kyle Isbel, CF

Drew Waters, RF

Nicky Lopez, 2B

about the writer

about the writer

Phil Miller

Reporter

Phil Miller has covered the Twins for the Star Tribune since 2013. Previously, he covered the University of Minnesota football team, and from 2007-09, he covered the Twins for the Pioneer Press.

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