Twins GM: Miguel Sano won't be ready to make team out of spring training

Minnesota Twins general manager Terry Ryan recently admitted top prospect Miguel Sano will open the 2015 season in the minor leagues after spending the entire 2014 campaign recovering from Tommy John surgery. 

“He’ll have to re-establish himself,” Ryan told Phil Miller of Baseball America. "He’s not going to be ready to make (the major league team) out of spring training. It’s been a long time since he’s faced a pitcher.”

Sano was expected to make his big-league debut at some point in 2014 after crushing 35 home runs the season before, but a torn ulnar collateral ligament delayed his arrival in the majors. The 21-year-old did not play at all last season and was asked to forego participation in the Dominican Winter League in order to prepare for spring training.

"I watched him swing the bat and I watched him throw for a while, and he looks pretty healthy to me," Ryan said. "He’s the same big, strong guy we remember."

Sano, who received a $3.15-million bonus when he signed with the Twins in 2009, is expected to remain at third base despite Ryan's recent comment suggesting the Dominican native could handle a move to the outfield.

“He could do it, I believe, but we’re not moving him,” Ryan said. “He’s a third baseman. Besides, his ticket up here is going to be that bat he possesses. That’s what has us so excited. He had a setback, OK, but that hasn’t changed how excited we are to get him on the field again."