Twins' Sano to report to spring training amid sexual assault investigation

In December, a woman said Minnesota Twins third baseman Miguel Sano sexually assaulted her in 2015, and Major League Baseball started investigating the claims in January.

With the investigation ongoing, the Twins are preparing for spring training with Sano in their plans, though they'll adhere to instruction from the league when the investigation is complete. Until then, he's expected to report to spring training.

"We’re beholden to the process that the union and the commissioner’s office are undertaking, and we’ll abide by their findings when they have it," Twins general manager Thad Levine told The Athletic's Dan Hayes. "Between now and then, our singular focus is getting him ready for Opening Day."

Sano has denied assaulting the woman.

Additionally, Sano may not be ready for game action after November surgery to insert a metal rod in his left shin. The 25-year-old played in only three regular-season games after Aug. 19, and was scratched from the Twins' playoff roster due to shin discomfort.

He's only recently started working on getting back into baseball shape.

"Right now we are focused on making sure he's ready to go," Levine said. "There’s a rest-and-recovery part of this, and there’s a rehabilitation part of this, and there’s a conditioning part. Those are things we feel like we can influence, and at least partially control."

The Twins' first spring training game is Feb. 23 against the Boston Red Sox.