Twins' Molitor: 'Unlikely' Sano returns before postseason

Miguel Sano has not played an inning of baseball for the Minnesota Twins since Aug. 19 due to a stress reaction in his left shin.

With the team clinging to a slim 1 1/2-game lead over the Los Angeles Angels for the second American League wild-card slot, and only 10 games remaining, the Twins could use the slugging third baseman. However, manager Paul Molitor told MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger on Thursday that it's "unlikely" Sano will return before the end of the regular season.

Sano's recovery has been slow, and he's expressed his own frustrations with the lack of progress.

Prior to his injury, Sano had already set a new career high in home runs with 28 across 111 games while batting .267/.356/.514. Even now, only Brian Dozier has hit more homers (31) for the team.

Molitor has not ruled out Sano returning for the postseason should the Twins hold onto their current position, but his status remains up in the air.

Winners of only four of their last 10 games - and losers of three straight - the Twins are hanging onto the final AL playoff position for dear life. Fortunately for them, the Angels have also stumbled of late.