Inside The Twins

Twins' Matt Canterino has shoulder surgery, will miss third straight season

Once a standout prospect in Minnesota's organization, Canterino hasn't been able to stay healthy and continue his ascent.
Will Ragatz|
Mar 6, 2024; Fort Myers, Florida, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Matt Canterino (83) throws a pitch against the Boston Red Sox in the fourth inning at Hammond Stadium.
Mar 6, 2024; Fort Myers, Florida, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Matt Canterino (83) throws a pitch against the Boston Red Sox in the fourth inning at Hammond Stadium. | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

In this story:

Minnesota Twins

Twins pitcher Matt Canterino had shoulder surgery this week and will miss the entire 2025 season, the team announced on Sunday. It's the third consecutive year that he will miss due to injury.

Once a standout prospect in the Twins' organization, Canterino simply hasn't been able to stay healthy and realize his potential. The 2019 second-round pick out of Rice hasn't pitched in a minor league game since 2022. Across three seasons and four levels in the minors, Canterino has a sparkling 1.48 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 130 strikeouts, and just three home runs allowed in 85 innings, but he'll be 28 next year and hasn't yet pitched above Double-A. He's getting further and further removed from prospect status.

It's been a highly unfortunate series of events for a pitcher with all kinds of talent. An elbow strain ended his 2021 season early, and he needed Tommy John surgery in 2022. That kept him out for the entire 2023 season, but the Twins nonetheless added him to their 40-man roster and were hoping to see him bounce back in 2024. Instead, a rotator cuff injury cost him the season. Now, after reporting to spring training healthy, he's again out for the year. Canterino threw 289.1 innings across three seasons at Rice and hasn't yet thrown 100 innings as a professional.

The Twins will presumably transfer Canterino to the 60-day IL at some point, which would open up a spot on their 40-man roster. They aren't going to give up on him if he wants to pursue a comeback in 2026, but he may not be on the 40-man roster this time next year. At this point, it would be a very pleasant surprise if Canterino ever stays healthy enough to earn an opportunity at the MLB level.

Recommended articles

Stay up to date on all things Twins by bookmarking Minnesota Twins On SI and subscribing to our YouTube channel.

Published
Will Ragatz
WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI, who also covers the Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, and other Minnesota teams. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.

Share on XFollow WillRagatz
Home/Minnesota Twins News