Minnesota Twins right-hander Josh Winder (shoulder) is set to start a minor-league rehab assignment with Low-A Fort Myers on Tuesday. Winder was placed on the 60-day injured list on Feb. 26 with a scapular stress fracture in his right shoulder that he suffered late last year. It means the 27-year-old reliever won't be able to rejoin Minnesota's bullpen at the big-league level until at least late May. Winder made his major-league debut for the Twins in 2022 and even started 11 games that year, but all 19 of his appearances last year came in a relief role. In his 101 2/3 total innings pitched the last two seasons in Minnesota, he has recorded a 4.51 ERA (4.57 FIP), one save, a 1.34 WHIP, 32 walks and 75 strikeouts. Winder is currently off the fantasy radar everywhere.
Minnesota Twins right-hander Josh Winder (shoulder) is behind the team's other pitchers in spring training as he builds up from a right-scapula stress fracture that he suffered late in the 2023 season that needed rest. The 27-year-old didn't know about the injury until he had an MRI exam in October, and as a result, he was unable to have a normal offseason as he recovered. Winder should have enough time to get ready for the start of the 2024 regular season, barring any setbacks in camp. In his second year in the big leagues for the Twins last year, Winder had a 4.15 ERA (3.98 FIP) and a 1.41 WHIP with his first career save, 14 walks and 28 strikeouts in 34 2/3 relief innings in his first season as strictly a reliever. With no path back to a starting role or a high-leverage bullpen job in Minnesota, he should be avoided in all fantasy formats.
Josh Winder Likely To Serve As Multi-Inning Reliever
Minnesota Twins right-hander Josh Winder is likely to be used as a multi-inning reliever for the Twins in 2024 and is also likely to be a frequent passenger on the Triple-A shuttle. the 27-year-old had a mediocre 4.51 ERA and 75-to-32 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 101 2/3 innings for Minnesota the last two years. He has also struggled with injuries and durability and is unlikely to be considered a starter moving forward, and he also hasn't shown the ability to miss enough bats to be counted on as a late-inning reliever. Winder will enter the 2024 campaign with no fantasy appeal in a long-relief role without much strikeout upside.
MLB.com's Do-Hyoung Park reported Tuesday that Minnesota Twins pitcher Josh Winder is being built up as a starter this spring. The 26-year-old made 15 appearances in 2022, 11 of them starts and went 4-6 with a 4.70 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and 16.4% strikeout rate in 67 innings pitched. While Winder may be training for a starting role, there are a number of new faces and starters returning from injury in Pablo Lopez, Tyler Mahle, Bailey Ober, and Kenta Maeda. Winder will need to first earn a starting role and then pitch well before fantasy managers can consider him as an option for their rosters.
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Josh Winder has been scratched from his start at Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday, which likely means he'll be recalled to start Sunday vs. the Cleveland Guardians. This is according to beat writer Aaron Gleeman, who reported that when the Twins used Aaron Sanchez in relief on Friday night that they would need a new starter for Sunday. The 25-year-old righty owns a 3.77 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and 29:14 K/BB ratio across 45 1/3 innings (10 appearances, six starts) for the Twins this season. He's not necessarily someone that managers should consider streaming in the fantasy playoffs.
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Josh Winder will be called up to make a start against the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday. It's uncertain which game Winder will pitch since it is a doubleheader. The 25-year-old has made seven appearances (three starts) with the Twins this season. He has posted a 3.68 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 23/9 K/BB ratio across 29 1/3 innings. Winder is likely to head back to the minors after this start. However, he could be worth a look as a streaming option.
The Minnesota Twins placed right-handed pitcher Josh Winder (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list on Saturday due to shoulder impingement. According to Dan Hayes of The Athletic, Winder had been experiencing some shoulder soreness in his last few outings. It was considered to be minor soreness and he pitched through it, but the team wanted to be cautious with Winder and not risk the situation becoming significant. Winder has been bouncing between the starting rotation and the bullpen. He showed promise as a starter, compiling two quality starts across three outings. He has a 3.68 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP on the year.
Jhoan Duran, Josh Winder Could Make Opening Day Roster
Minnesota Twins right-handers Jhoan Duran and Josh Winder have a chance to make the opening day roster, according to Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic. Duran and Winder are the sixth and seventh-ranked prospects in the Twins system, as per MLB.com. Currently, the club projects to have Sonny Gray, Dylan Bundy, Joe Ryan, and Bailey Ober in the rotation with the last spot is up for grabs. The 24-year-old Duran posted a 5.06 ERA in 16 innings at Triple-A last season but produced an impressive 29.3 K%. Winder, 25, pitched to a 2.63 ERA with 80 strikeouts and 13 walks over 72 innings split between Double and Triple-A. The duo doesn't have much fantasy relevance at the moment, but either could make a good waiver wire addition if they find success.