Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Chris Paddack (head) exited Saturday's spring training contest early with a head contusion. Paddack was hit in the head by a deflected line drive. He did not suffer a concussion. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status but it appears that Paddack avoided a significant injury. The 29-year-old is currently one of the favorites to earn one of the final spots in the Minnesota rotation. Last summer, Paddack logged 88 1/3 innings of work to the tune of a 4.99 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP. He tallied 79 punchouts and held a strong 5.5 percent walk rate. However, he generated a high 4.84 xERA with a .272 xBA. If he does claim one of the final spots in the Minnesota rotation, he will have value as a streaming option in deeper leagues.
Chris Paddack Expected To Open The Season In Starting Rotation
According to Bobby Nightengale of the Minnesota Star Tribune, Twins starting pitcher Chris Paddack is "seen as a part of the rotation." Paddack has battled injuries throughout the past three seasons but will enter spring training fully healthy. Given his current status, fantasy managers should expect the 29-year-old to be penciled in a rotation spot. Last summer, Paddack logged 88 1/3 innings in the majors and held a 4.99 ERA with a 1.39 WHIP. He dealt with a forearm strain late in the season and was nearing a return for the postseason. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status during spring training as his performance and status could dictate his place on the Opening Day roster. Last season, he generated strikeouts at a weak 20.6 percent rate but showed strong command with a 5.5 percent walk rate. If Paddack faces a setback or struggles, Minnesota's young arms like David Feta or Zebby Matthews could overtake his spot.
Minnesota Twins right-hander Chris Paddack (forearm) faced live hitters on Monday and plans to throw again on Thursday, with a decision point possibly coming after that this weekend as to whether the team will activate him from the 15-day injured list. The 28-year-old has been out since late July with a strained right forearm, though, so he would almost certainly return in a relief role for Minnesota at the tail end of the regular season. The Twins are currently on the outside looking in for a wild-card spot in the American League, so they have work to do this week if Paddack wants to pitch at all in the postseason. Before his injury earlier this year, Paddack was inconsistent as a starter for the Twins, posting a 4.99 ERA (4.18 FIP), a 1.39 WHIP and a 79:21 K:BB in his 17 starts covering 88 1/3 innings pitched. He also had a career-low 20.6% strikeout rate.
Twins Optimistic That Chris Paddack Will Return This Year
Minnesota Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey expressed optimism that right-hander Chris Paddack (forearm) will pitch again this year. Everything is tracking well for Paddack, and he hasn't had any issues with his UCL. The 28-year-old could start a throwing progression soon with hopes of returning to the Twins in the final month of the regular season. Paddack is currently on the 15-day injured list with a strained right forearm, but barring a setback once he begins building his arm back up, the Twins could have him back in their starting rotation for the final month of the regular season in September and potentially for the playoffs. Fantasy managers shouldn't be as optimistic that he can help them the rest of the way, especially after he posted a career-low 20.6% strikeout rate, a 4.99 ERA and 1.39 WHIP in his 17 starts before going on the shelf.
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Chris Paddack (forearm) was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right forearm strain. This is the second time the 28-year-old has missed time due to an injury in his throwing arm this season as he battled right-arm fatigue in May. While a timetable has not been placed on Paddack, fantasy managers could expect him sidelined for an extended period of time. Paddack has held a 4.99 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and a 21:79 BB:K ratio across 88 innings this season. The Twins could promote prospect David Festa back up to the big leagues, as he was called upon when Paddack hit the injured list earlier this summer. In addition, prospect Zebby Matthews could earn the promotion as he was recently moved up to Triple-A and has been one of the best pitchers in the minor leagues this season.
The Minnesota Twins reinstated right-hander Chris Paddack (arm) from the 15-day injured list on Monday and optioned right-hander Josh Winder to Triple-A St. Paul in a corresponding move. Paddack will return to the team's starting rotation on Monday and start against the hosting Chicago White Sox in an excellent matchup. The 28-year-old veteran will return to a 5-3 record, 5.29 ERA (4.27 FIP) and 1.43 WHIP with a 70:18 K:BB in 78 1/3 innings over his 15 starts in his third year in Minnesota. Paddack was originally put on the IL with right-arm fatigue and did not make a start in the minor leagues before being reinstated, so although the matchup against the White Sox is mouthwatering, Paddack will probably have limited DFS upside while being on a strict pitch count in his first start back. He's also had a career-low 20.4% strikeout rate in 2024.
Twins Place Chris Paddack On The 15-Day Injured List
The Minnesota Twins placed pitcher Chris Paddack (forearm) on the injured list with right-forearm fatigue and called up pitcher Ronny Henriquez from Triple-A St. Paul in a corresponding move. The 28-year-old will miss a few weeks and could return around the All-Star break. Paddack is (5-3) with a 5.29 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in 78 1/3 innings, striking out 70 and walking 18. Home runs have been a problem for Paddack, who has allowed 13 dingers. Paddack is worth rostering in deep leagues with an IL spot. Henriquez, who pitched two scoreless innings in his first stint with the Twins, is (1-2) with a 3.53 ERA and three saves over 22 appearances (one start) for St. Paul. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues may want to take notice of Henriquez, whose versatility could lead to a more extended stay.
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Chris Paddack was sharp during Monday's 5-0 win over the Colorado Rockies. He scattered six hits across 6 1/3 scoreless innings without issuing a walk. He also struck out six batters. It was a nice bounce-back performance for the 28-year-old after he was shelled for seven runs in his previous start. He now owns a 4.79 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 67:14 K:BB across 13 starts in 2024. Paddack is a fine streaming option in the right matchups, but he is prone to the occasional disastrous outing. That being said, he is a worthwhile streamer in his next projected start this weekend at home against the Oakland Athletics.
Chris Paddack Bounces Back With Eight Strong Frames
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Chris Paddack had a strong start on Sunday, tossing eight innings of two-run ball in a 5-2 loss to the Cleveland Guardians. Paddack allowed just three hits while showing excellent command, walking none and striking out six. The only damage done to Paddack was a two-run blast off the bat of Andres Gimenez in the first inning. It was a very good sign to see the 28-year-old bounce back from a tough outing against the Yankees last time out, and fantasy managers who held onto Paddack should feel better about his outlook. That said, the righty is still a fringey option in standard leagues and should be left for streaming for now until he can show more consistency. He is a good deep league option, though.
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Chris Paddack struck out 10 batters in Wednesday's 6-3 win over the Mariners, picking up his fourth win of the season. It wasn't all smooth sailing, however, as he also allowed eight hits and one walk in just five-and-a-third innings pitched. The outing marked the fourth straight start in which the righty has picked up a victory and it was the second time this season he's struck out 10 batters. It seems he's walking a tightrope, though, as the 28-year-old has given up 48 hits and eight walks in 37 1/3 innings (1.50 WHIP), along with six home runs (1.45 HR/9, 14.0% HR/FB%) through seven starts, so use him in season-long fantasy at your own risk. The former eighth-round draft pick can be useful in DFS depending on the matchup, however, as exhibited Wednesday. His next start lines up with the Yankees at home next Tuesday.
Chris Paddack
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Twins
