Twins say P Ervin Santana out 10-12 weeks after finger surgery

Minnesota Twins pitcher Ervin Santana is expected to miss 10-12 weeks after undergoing surgery on his finger Tuesday, the Twins said in a statement.

The Twins said that Santana began feeling discomfort in his right middle finger last week while throwing bullpens. It’s apparently an issue he’s experienced in the past. The Twins previously treated it with an injection, but now they decided surgery was needed.

The @Twins medical update on Ervin Santana. pic.twitter.com/RyxL03GzFF

— Dustin Morse (@morsecode) February 6, 2018

This surgery puts Santana’s ability to start the season for the Twins in doubt. Perhaps he could be looking at a May return.

Santana, 35, has had consecutive strong seasons for the Twins. He went 16-8 with a 3.28 ERA last season and might have been the team’s Opening Day starter this year.