Minnesota Twins outfielder Matt Wallner went 2-for-4 with a home run and a double during Monday's 8-6 extra-inning win over the Chicago White Sox. Wallner hit a two-run homer in the top of the seventh that tied the game at 5-5, his second and first since April 13. He was called up on Sunday after the team placed utility player Austin Martin (oblique) on the injured list and has recorded three hits in five at-bats since returning. Wallner is slashing .167/.333/.433 with six RBI and two runs scored in 30 at-bats. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues should keep an eye on him, as Wallner's power can provide a needed jolt.
Minnesota Twins outfielder Matt Wallner was officially promoted to the major league roster, according to Aaron Gleeman of the Athletic. Austin Martin (oblique) was placed on the injured list in a corresponding move. Wallner posted a strong .257/.339/.540 slash line across 67 games at Triple-A this season. Since the start of June, the young outfielder held a stellar .342/.417/.726 slash line with 12 long balls, 29 RBI, and three swiped bags. The 26-year-old struggled in the majors in the opening month of the season with a poor .083 AVG. While he may not receive consistent playing time early on, he could become a name to monitor later in the summer as he flashed high potential in the minors this season.
Minnesota Twins outfielder Matt Wallner went 2-for-5 with two runs, three RBI and a home run for Triple-A St. Paul. Wallner's home run would be the 16th of the season for Wallner, who opened the season with the big-league club. To go along with his impressive 16 longballs, Wallner has driven in 43 runs and hit .250 over 200 at-bats. Wallner made his debut last season and hit 14 homers in 76 games, but struggled with his time in the big leagues earlier this season with two hits in 25 at-bats. Wallner has light tower power, but doesn't offer much else and could eventually become a Quad-A type of player. The power is nice, but dynasty managers could feel safe swapping him for a player with better upside.
The Minnesota Twins announced on Tuesday that they recalled outfielder Trevor Larnach (toe) from Triple-A St. Paul and optioned outfielder Matt Wallner to St. Paul in a corresponding move. Larnach was recently activated from the Triple-A injured list due to turf toe, but he'll now head to Minnesota to make his 2024 debut. Wallner will head to the farm to work on some things after starting off 2-for-25 with the Twins. The 27-year-old Larnach started last year in the big leagues but was sent to St. Paul after a slow start at the plate. The left-handed slugger has some intriguing power upside from the left side in a likely platoon role in Minnesota, but he's probably not going to help your team batting average and has been injury-prone in his career to this point.
Minnesota Twins outfielder Matt Wallner went 1-for-1 with a two-run homer in Grapefruit League action against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday. Wallner finishes spring with three homers and nine RBI, but a weak .132 batting average. The 26-year-old will never be big in the average department, but he has shown plenty of power, including 14 homers in just 213 at-bats last season for the Twins. The at-bats should be there for Wallner, even with a tough spring and managers seeking cheap power should consider Wallner as an option in the deepest of leagues.
Minnesota Twins outfielder Matt Wallner is on the bench for Game 2 of the ALDS against the Houston Astros on Sunday. Framber Valdez, a lefty, is starting for the Astros, so a few lefty hitters will take a seat for Minnesota. The rookie struggled against lefties this season with a .481 OPS. Willi Castro will take over left-field duties for the Twins. Wallner had been hitting seventh against righties this postseason. The rookie produced a 139 OPS+ with 14 home runs this season and should be a big part of the Minnesota offense next season.
Minnesota Twins outfielder Matt Wallner is back in the starting lineup Tuesday night against the Tampa Bay Rays and right-hander Zack Littell. Wallner didn't appear in Monday's series-opening 7-4 loss to the Rays but will return to man left field and hit seventh Tuesday night in Minnesota. The 25-year-old has been a key bat for the Twins since being promoted for good in mid-July, slugging 11 homers along with a healthy 10.2% BB% and an .812 OPS across 59 appearances on the season. While his elevated 32.5% K% is a cause for concern, Waller also sports a .370 xwOBA that actually sits above his .353 wOBA in his 197 plate appearances on the campaign.
Minnesota Twins outfielder Matt Wallner (hand) is back in the starting lineup on Sunday against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates and left-hander Ryan Borucki. Wallner is playing in right field and hitting eighth in the batting order. The 25-year-old left-handed slugger was hit by a pitch on his hand on Friday and missed Saturday's contest as a result. Wallner has been much better against right-handed pitching in 2023, going 24-for-89 (.270) with eight of his nine home runs on the season. He's been an option against right-handers in deeper fantasy leagues this year, slashing .241/.341/.527 with an .868 OPS, nine home runs, five doubles, 22 RBI and 21 runs scored in 129 trips to the plate and 40 games played.
Minnesota Twins outfielder Matt Wallner (hand) is out of Saturday's starting lineup against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 25-year-old was originally in the lineup, but the Twins decided to take the cautious approach and pull Wallner out. He'll get an extra day of rest after getting hit in the hand during Friday's game. Luckily, the X-rays came back negative, so hopefully Wallner is only day-to-day right now. In his absence, Joey Gallo will cover left field and bat seventh versus right-hander Mitch Keller.
Minnesota Twins outfielder Matt Wallner (hand) left Friday's contest early against the Pittsburgh Pirates with a right hand contusion. The 25-year-old was hit in the hand by a pitch during a swing in the seventh inning, forcing him from the game. He went 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored before being pinch-hit for by Kyle Farmer, who doubled in a run during his ensuing at-bat. Wallner should be deemed day-to-day after X-rays came back negative, and Joey Gallo figures to pick up some more action in left field if he needs to miss additional time. The big-armed Wallner has exhibited a promising blend of power, speed, and on-base skills in 2023, slashing .241/.341/.527 with nine home runs, 22 RBI, and two stolen bases in 129 plate appearances.
