Minnesota Twins News

Across 117 innings (20 starts) in 2026, Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Zebby Matthews has recorded a 9-9 record with a 4.69 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 97 strikeouts. While Matthews' season-long numbers may not stand out as particularly impressive, he's been much better in recent appearances. Across his last 47 innings (eight starts), the 26-year-old has posted a 5-2 record with a 3.64 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 39 strikeouts. Matthews' lack of strikeout ability limits his fantasy upside, but he profiles as a potential WHIP asset due to his stellar command (6.8% walk rate). As a matchup-dependent streaming option, Matthews profiles as a quality option for fantasy managers. His next scheduled start will come on Wednesday in Detroit against the Tigers.

The Minnesota Twins announced on Monday that they reinstated right-hander Joe Ryan (glute) from the 15-day injured list and optioned right-hander Garrett Acton to Triple-A St. Paul in a corresponding move. Ryan is making his return to Minnesota's starting rotation for Monday's series opener on the road against the division-rival Detroit Tigers. The 30-year-old will be a pretty risky fantasy starter in his first game back in the big leagues after he threw only 42 pitches in his only minor-league rehab start. Ryan has been solid for fantasy managers in 2026, though, going 6-8 with a 3.65 ERA (3.42 FIP) and 1.14 WHIP with 138 strikeouts and 27 walks in 125 2/3 innings pitched across his 23 starts in his sixth big-league season with the team. In his lone start this year against the Tigers, Ryan picked up his first win of the year on April 6, allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits while walking three and striking out seven in five innings of work. Now that Ryan is back and recovered from his glute injury, he could be a key asset for fantasy managers seeking a championship.

Minnesota Twins shortstop Kaelen Culpepper has been fantastic at the plate ever since being called up for his MLB debut less than one month ago. Culpepper has played in 24 games (all at shortstop), and he's had no trouble living up to the hype that he possessed as a top prospect. So far, he owns a .307/.361/.466 slash line with three home runs, 10 RBI, a 6.2% walk rate, a 19.6% strikeout rate, and 133 wRC+. He's slugged eight extra-base hits, and although he's walking less than he did in the minors, his strikeout rate hasn't increased by much since his promotion. Culpepper's near-everyday role and impressive offensive contributions have helped him emerge as a top waiver wire option in fantasy baseball. He's still available in 89% of fantasy leagues, and he ranks as the #24 shortstop in RotoBaller's rest-of-season rankings.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Walker Jenkins has been relatively quiet at the plate since being called up for his MLB debut, but he still possesses the upside necessary to be an everyday fantasy baseball option. Therefore, fantasy managers should still consider picking him up off the waiver wire for the month of September, especially in deeper leagues. He owns a .590 OPS through eight games, and he has already recorded both his first home run and his first stolen base. He's striking out at a suboptimal 21.4% clip, but he's also showing on-base skills with his 17.9% walk rate. Over a larger sample size, Jenkins should pan out to be a productive fantasy baseball outfielder. As it stands, he's available to grab off the waiver wire in 89% of leagues.

Minnesota Twins outfield prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez is hitting for power in his limited action at Triple-A St. Paul this season. In 45 games at Triple-A, Rodriguez has 11 homers and 31 RBI but is hitting just .252. Rodriguez has battled a bad thumb injury this season, which has limited his game time, but the power in his bat has shown. The 23-year-old left-handed hitter is the No. 5 prospect in the Twins system and has a 45-grade hit tool with 55-grade power and speed. Rodriguez also has seven stolen bases in his little game time this season. Rodriguez has some work to do on his overall hitting and is a batting-average risk for fantasy, but his power-speed combination is real. The Twins have already called up top prospects Walker Jenkins and Kaelen Culpepper, so they might elect to keep Rodriguez in the minors the rest of this season. But if they do look his way for a promotion, he could have some late impact on the fantasy season.

Minnesota Twins right-hander Joe Ryan (glute) will throw a bullpen session on Saturday as he tries to return to the team's starting rotation after missing the last month with a strained left glute, according to MLB.com's Matthew Leach. Manager Derek Shelton declined to speculate on what the next step for Ryan will be, but typically, a pitcher who threw a bullpen on Saturday would start on Monday. The Twins begin a three-game series in Detroit against the division-rival Tigers on Monday, so Ryan could come off the 15-day injured list to start the series opener. All of the Twins' minor-league affiliates are off on Monday. "We want to be able to have a conversation with him," Shelton said. "Want him to go through his bullpen and see where he's at to make sure that we're checking all the boxes before he gets back in a Major League game." If Ryan returns on Monday, the Twins could push Connor Prielipp's next turn in the rotation back one or two days. Ryan threw 42 pitches in a rehab start for Triple-A St. Paul earlier this week, so he will likely be on a strict pitch-count limit if he returns on Monday, making him a shaky fantasy option against Detroit. The 30-year-old is still rostered in 95% of Yahoo leagues, though, and can make an impact down the stretch after going 6-8 with a 3.65 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 138 strikeouts in his 23 starts in 2026.

Minnesota Twins manager Derek Shelton acknowledged on Friday that outfielder Byron Buxton (hip) will likely need surgery for a troublesome right-hip impingement, according to Matthew Leach of MLB.com. But before that happens, Buxton is still hoping he can find a way to play in 2026. The star outfielder has dealt with hip issues off and on, dating as far back as 2021. He did not experience any problems with it last year, when he went off for a career-high 35 home runs, 83 RBI, and 24 stolen bases in 126 games played, but it flared up in May, and he has barely been able to play for the Twins in the second half. Buxton is currently on the injured list for the third time due to his hip, and it is unlikely that he will return for fantasy managers in the final month of the season. Before the All-Star break, the 32-year-old veteran hit .271/.328/.575 with 25 home runs, 45 RBI, 57 runs scored, and seven stolen bases. But he has played in just 18 games in the second half, hitting .172 (11-for-64) with zero homers, one RBI, seven walks, and 17 strikeouts. If Buxton undergoes hip surgery, it is unclear if he would be ready for spring training next year or the start of the 2027 season.

Minnesota Twins infielder Brooks Lee is suddenly up to a career-high 22 home runs entering play on Thursday after homering again in Wednesday's 7-4 loss to the Athletics. In his last 11 games, the switch-hitting infielder has hit .319 (15-for-47) with a .930 OPS, four home runs, two doubles, 10 RBI, and eight runs scored to boost his overall 2026 slash line to .250/.299/.435 with a .734 OPS, 77 RBI, 62 runs scored, and seven stolen bases in his second full season in the big leagues. The 25-year-old former eighth overall pick from Cal Poly in 2022 has been much better as a lefty against right-handed pitchers, going 91-for-345 (.264) with 19 of his 22 homers, as opposed to a .218 average (34-for-156) with just three long balls as a right-handed hitter against southpaws. With eligibility at second base, third base, and shortstop, Lee is also valuable for his infield versatility in fantasy baseball, and he's available in 40% of Yahoo leagues with the playoffs approaching quickly.

Across 88 plate appearances since making his MLB debut on August 7, Minnesota Twins shortstop Kaelen Culpepper is hitting .300/.352/.463 with three home runs, nine RBI, and 12 runs scored. The 23-year-old is widely considered to be one of the top prospects in the Twins system, and he's taken over as the team's everyday shortstop since his promotion. Culpepper has now hit safely eight out of his last 10 games played, and he's hitting .316 overall in that span. Culpepper was having a massive year at Triple-A before getting called up, slashing .271/.367/.478 with 14 home runs, 46 RBI, 63 runs scored, and 17 stolen bases across 343 plate appearances. While his power and speed have lagged behind a bit so far in the big leagues, Culpepper carries five-category potential and should be a waiver wire target for fantasy managers in any league where he's not already rostered.

Minnesota Twins outfield prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez has hit safely in 13 of the 16 games he's played at Triple-A since returning from the injured list and has been on base at least once in all but one due to his ability to draw walks. Most impressive of all was that the Twins' fifth-ranked prospect hit for the cycle for St. Paul on Tuesday night, going 4-for-5 with three RBI and three runs scored. The 5-foot-11 Dominican is the author of a robust .273/.425/.568 slash line this season, with 11 home runs and seven steals in 41 games for the Saints. The left-handed hitter has plenty of pop, registering in the 94th percentile or better in average exit velocity, hard-hit rate, and barrel rate, while also showing an elite ability to draw walks over the course of his minor league career, including a 19.7 percent rate in 2026. His inability to stay healthy has been the limiting factor and what has kept him from debuting in the majors, having played in no more than 65 games the last three seasons. Currently healthy, though, the 23-year-old -- who is on the 40-man roster -- should be considered a high-end stash option for power, though he carries batting average risk.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan (glute) allowed one earned run and recorded four strikeouts across three innings in a rehab start with Triple-A St. Paul on Tuesday. The 30-year-old has been sidelined by a glute strain since early August, but it appears he is nearing a return to the big leagues. Across 125 2/3 innings (23 starts) before the injury, Ryan recorded a 6-8 record with a 3.65 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 138 strikeouts. Ryan rarely allows free passes (5.2% walk rate) while also being a consistent source of strikeouts (26.4% strikeout rate) for fantasy managers. It's unclear whether Ryan will require a second rehab outing before returning to the Twins, but either way, he will need at least one more start before being built up to a full starter's workload. Once he's fully healthy, Ryan profiles as a must-start fantasy pitcher.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan (glute) is scheduled to make a rehab start with Triple-A St. Paul on Tuesday, per Twins beat writer Aaron Gleeman. Ryan has been sidelined since early August due to a glute strain, but it appears he could be nearing a return to the big leagues. Per Gleeman, Twins manager Derek Shelton said that the plan for Ryan is to throw around 45-50 pitches on Tuesday. Before the injury, Ryan recorded a 6-8 record with a 3.65 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 138 strikeouts across 125 2/3 innings (23 starts). The 30-year-old has consistently allowed high home run rates throughout his career and has surrendered 1.22 HR/9 so far this season. However, Ryan has struck out 26.4% of the batters he's faced while posting just a 5.2% walk rate, good for an elite 21.2% K-BB rate. Once healthy, he profiles as a must-start fantasy pitcher.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (hip) was placed on the 10-day Injured List on Sunday. Buxton will head to the shelf due to a right hip impingement that he has been dealing with for most of the season. The team decided to make a move after Buxton missed his fourth straight game on Sunday. The Twins haven't given a timetable on Buxton, but the veteran outfielder may require surgery to fix the issue. That'll be a last resort as the Twins will likely wait and see how Buxton progresses over the next few weeks. Top prospect Walker Jenkins figures to gain the most fantasy value from the loss of Buxton. He'll likely operate as the full-time center fielder, so fantasy managers should scoop him up if they need a bat.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (hip) remains out of the team's starting lineup for Sunday's series finale at Target Field against the division-rival Chicago White Sox, per MLB.com. Rookie Walker Jenkins is making another start in center field for the Twins and will bat ninth against White Sox right-hander Jordan Hicks. Right-hip discomfort will keep Buxton out of Minnesota's lineup for the fourth straight game, and when considering that it is an injury that has already sent him to the injured list twice in the second half of the season, things are not looking great for the veteran outfielder heading into the final month of the regular season. The 32-year-old three-time All-Star picked up where he left off in 2025, hitting .271 (83-for-306) with 25 home runs, 45 RBI, 57 runs scored, and seven stolen bases in 75 games in the first half this year. But that is where the good news has ended for Buxton in 2026, as he has played in only 18 games in the second half with a .172/.274/.203 slash line, zero homers, one RBI, seven walks, and 17 strikeouts. If Buxton lands on the IL a third time, it is possible that he will be shut down for the rest of the season if the Twins fall further out of the American League wild-card race.

Minnesota Twins outfield prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez has gotten off to a great start in his return to Triple-A St. Paul this season with 10 homers and 27 RBI in 39 games while hitting .246 with 26 runs scored and seven stolen bases. Rodriguez recovered from thumb surgery and has only played a total of 48 games this season between three minor league levels on his way back. Rodriguez is the No. 5 prospect in the Twins' system and has 55-grade power with 55-grade speed. That power-speed combination is appealing to fantasy managers but with a 45-grade hit tool, the batting average is a concern. With Walker Jenkins and Kaelen Culpepper called up from the minors already this season, the Twins are most likely to allow Rodriguez to fully recover this season at Triple-A, but a call-up to Minnesota isn't out of the question.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (hip) remained out of the starting lineup on Saturday, as he continues to recover from hip discomfort. The 32-year-old was removed from Tuesday's game after re-injuring his hip, which is something that has been bothering him all season long. With Saturday's exclusion from the lineup, he will have missed three consecutive games, giving some reason for concern that he could find himself on the Injured List in the near future. In addition to that, there has been some talk of offseason hip surgery, leading one to believe that he may not have much more to offer fantasy baseball managers for the rest of the 2026 season. While the offseason plans can be examined later, for now, it's important to focus on whether or not he can successfully return to the lineup this weekend. That is in doubt, but no formal announcement either way has been made just yet.

Minnesota Twins top outfield prospect Walker Jenkins made his major-league debut in the team's 7-4 loss on Friday night to the division-rival Chicago White Sox at Target Field and went 1-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout. The Twins are hoping that Jenkins, the No. 15 prospect in all of baseball, can give them the spark they need to sneak into a wild-card spot in the American League with veteran outfielder Byron Buxton (hip) potentially going back on the injured list for a third time this year. The 21-year-old former fifth overall pick in 2023 will play regularly for the Twins down the stretch, even if Buxton can return, and his power/speed upside from the left side of the plate could be a difference-maker for fantasy managers chasing a championship. The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder hit .308/.407/.532 with a .940 OPS, 12 home runs, 28 RBI, 17 stolen bases, and 51 runs scored in his 69 games played at Triple-A St. Paul before getting the call to the Show on Friday. The 21-year-old hit out of the nine-hole in his MLB debut, but he could quickly move up Minnesota's order if he continues to produce like he did on the farm. Jenkins is only rostered right now in 19% of Yahoo leagues, so he is widely available.

Minnesota Twins general manager Jeremy Zoll said on Friday that outfielder Byron Buxton (hip) is "still truly day-to-day" and will attempt to avoid the injured list for now, according to Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic. Zoll also said that Buxton eventually undergoing offseason hip surgery "is definitely a potential option as we sort through everything." Buxton is not in the starting lineup for the series opener on Friday against the division-rival Chicago White Sox after aggravating his hip injury on Tuesday against the Athletics. The 32-year-old veteran had 25 home runs, 45 RBI, 57 runs scored, and seven stolen bases while slashing .271/.328/.575 with a .904 OPS in 75 games in the first half, but he has been on the injured list twice with his hip injury and has gone just 11-for-64 (.172) with zero homers, one RBI, seven walks, and 17 strikeouts in 18 games since the All-Star break. Minnesota is currently four games back of the final American League wild-card spot with four teams between them, so if they fall behind any further in the playoff race, Buxton is a prime candidate to be shut down early as he limps to the finish line of the 2026 season.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (hip) is not in the team's starting lineup for Friday's series opener at home against the division-rival Chicago White Sox, according to MLB.com. Top outfield prospect Walker Jenkins has been recalled from Triple-A St. Paul and will make his major-league debut for the Twins at Target Field, starting in center field and batting ninth against White Sox veteran right-hander Luis Castillo. Buxton was pulled from the last contest with more pain in his right hip, an injury that has already sent him to the injured list twice in the second half. For now, we will consider the veteran outfielder as day-to-day, but if he cannot rejoin the starting lineup this weekend against the White Sox, another trip to the IL could be in store. The 32-year-old three-time All-Star had a fantastic first half in 2026 with 25 homers, 45 RBI, seven steals, and a .271/.328/.575 slash line, but he has played in only 18 games in the second half due to hip issues and has hit .172 (11-for-64) with zero homers, one RBI, seven walks, and 17 strikeouts. If Buxton lands on the IL a third time with his recurring hip problem, it might be the last we see of him this season.

Minnesota Twins top outfield prospect Walker Jenkins has massive potential in fantasy leagues prior to his promotion to the major leagues. The talented outfielder has the ability to win fantasy leagues for managers late in the season following news of his call-up. Jenkins played 69 games for Triple-A St. Paul before his call-up and hit .308 in 263 at-bats with 12 homers and 28 RBI. The 21-year-old left-handed hitter has five-category upside for fantasy leagues with a 60-grade hit tool, 60-grade power and 55-grade speed. Jenkins will likely reward fantasy managers who stashed him in redraft leagues. He has the potential to be a difference-maker and provide that extra boost to fantasy teams in all five categories. Jenkins missed some time this season with a shoulder injury but is back, fully healthy, and ready to contribute at the big-league level.