Minnesota Twins News

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Mick Abel • SP • Twins

Mick Abel a Must-Add Starting Pitcher Ahead of Looming Injury Return

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Mick Abel (elbow) has been sidelined since mid-April due to elbow inflammation. However, the 24-year-old has traveled with the team to Arizona for their weekend series and appears poised to come off the injured list and rejoin the Twins rotation on Sunday. Across 20 1/3 innings (four games) before the injury, Abel recorded a 1-2 record with a 3.98 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, and 23 strikeouts. After allowing nine earned runs in his first two outings of the year, Abel recorded 13 scoreless innings with 16 strikeouts across his last two starts before he was placed on the injured list. The former top prospect also pitched very well in his most recent rehab appearances, allowing just one earned run while striking out 10 across eight innings (two starts) with Triple-A St. Paul. Abel offers significant strikeout upside for fantasy managers upon his return and profiles as a priority stash candidate on the waiver wire.

5 hours ago

Royce Lewis • 3B • Twins

Royce Lewis Heating Up in June, Re-Emerging as a Waiver-Wire Target

Minnesota Twins infielder Royce Lewis has had a rough year overall in 2026, hitting .199/.283/.356 with six home runs, 20 RBI, 17 runs scored, and four stolen bases. The oft-injured slugger missed time in April due to an LCL sprain in his left knee and has seen his strikeout rate rise from 19.9% in 2025 to 28.9%. However, Lewis has started to heat up in recent weeks. Across 47 plate appearances in June, the 27-year-old is hitting .286/.340/.548 with three home runs, seven RBI, six runs scored, and one stolen base. Lewis' underlying contact metrics remain strong, as he's posted a 12% barrel rate on the season. If he can maintain his current health, Lewis profiles as a high-upside waiver wire target for fantasy managers.

5 hours ago

Ryan Jeffers • C • Twins

Ryan Jeffers Doing All Baseball Activities

Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers (hand) has been running, throwing, lifting weights, doing catching drills, and, as of June 10, taking dry swings, according to MLB.com. Jeffers landed on the 10-day injured list on May 19 with a left-hamate bone fracture in his hand and had surgery on May 20. His next steps will be determined by how he handles his current workload. The next step for the left-handed-hitting backstop will be to gain clearance to face live pitching. After that, he'll likely require a minor-league rehab assignment before returning to the major-league roster. At this time, it's unclear if Jeffers will have enough time to make it back before the All-Star break in mid-July. Before fracturing his hand, the 29-year-old former second-rounder in 2018 out of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington was hitting a strong .295 (36-for-122) with seven home runs, 26 RBI, 26 runs scored, and a stolen base as the Twins' primary catcher. At the moment, he's only rostered in 30% of Yahoo leagues while he rehabs. With Jeffers out, Victor Caratini and Alex Jackson have been sharing time behind the plate in Minnesota.

Yesterday

Bailey Ober • SP • Twins

Bailey Ober Expects to Throw Off a Mound This Weekend

Minnesota Twins right-hander Bailey Ober (elbow) thinks he will throw off a mound this weekend in Arizona, according to The Athletic's Dan Hayes. It would be the first time that Ober has set foot on a mound since he was placed on the 15-day injured list in early June with a flexor strain in his right elbow. Ober could need a couple of bullpen sessions before being cleared for a short minor-league rehab assignment, so he could have time to rejoin the Twins' starting rotation before the All-Star break in mid-July, barring a setback. The 30-year-old veteran won't be a priority addition off the waiver wire for fantasy managers in mixed leagues, though, after he posted a 4.59 ERA (4.96 FIP) and 1.21 WHIP with 46 strikeouts and 18 walks in 66 2/3 innings pitched across his 12 starts before landing on the shelf. Ober still has above-average command, but with a drop in velocity this year and a career-low 16.4% strikeout rate, his fantasy upside has diminished as a starting option. While on the IL, Ober is rostered in only 18% of Yahoo leagues.

Yesterday

Mick Abel • SP • Twins

Mick Abel Could Return to Twins Rotation on Sunday

Minnesota Twins right-hander Mick Abel (elbow) will join the team on their road trip in Arizona and is scheduled for a light bullpen session, with his next steps to be determined, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic. Hayes is putting the puzzle pieces together and speculates that if the Twins are flying Abel from Minnesota to Phoenix, with his next turn scheduled for Sunday, it's likely that he'll come off the 15-day injured list to start Sunday's series finale against the D-Backs. In his two minor-league rehab starts with Triple-A St. Paul, Abel has looked like a pitcher ready to return to the majors, giving up an earned run with 10 strikeouts and no walks in eight innings pitched. He has been sidelined since the middle of April with right-elbow inflammation, but now is the time for fantasy managers to scoop him up if you need rotation help. The 24-year-old former 15th overall pick by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2020 had a 3.98 ERA (2.75 FIP) and 1.57 WHIP with 23 K's and 10 walks in 20 1/3 innings over four outings (three starts) for the Twins before going on the IL. Abel is widely available, as he's rostered in just 18% of Yahoo leagues.

Yesterday

Zebby Matthews • SP • Twins

Zebby Matthews Worth a Waiver-Wire Look After Bounce-Back Outing

Minnesota Twins right-hander Zebby Matthews had a nice bounce-back performance on Tuesday in his start against the Texas Rangers on the road, allowing two earned runs on eight hits while walking none and striking out four in seven innings to earn his third win of the year. In his previous start on June 11, he surrendered a season-high seven earned runs on nine hits (three homers) while walking one and fanning four in six innings in a loss to the Detroit Tigers on the road. Even though Matthews has allowed seven earned runs in two of his last four outings, the 26-year-old former eighth-round pick in 2022 out of Western Carolina University has recorded quality starts for his fantasy managers in five of his seven outings in 2026. He'll be hard to trust in his next scheduled outing against the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers, but Matthews is a rising young arm who deserves more attention from fantasy managers on the waiver wire. He's currently 3-4 with a 4.78 ERA (4.69 FIP) and 1.18 WHIP with 34 strikeouts and only nine walks in 43 1/3 innings in his third year in Minnesota. Matthews is available in over 80% of Yahoo leagues.

Yesterday

Walker Jenkins • CF • Twins

Walker Jenkins Enjoying Power Binge, Re-Entering Top Stash Territory?

Minnesota Twins outfield prospect Walker Jenkins (shoulder) recently began his rehab assignment in the lower levels of the Twins system and has been quite productive in his return to action. Earlier this week, he played one game in Low-A, going 4-for-5 with a double and a home run. On Tuesday evening, Jenkins moved up to High-A Cedar Rapids, where he went 2-for-5 with another home run. Jenkins has been on the shelf for over a month of action, but given how comfortable he has looked in his rehab outings, he could rejoin Triple-A in the immediate future. Before suffering this injury, Jenkins carried a .256/.396/.389 line with six doubles, two home runs, five home runs, and an 18:19 K:BB at St. Paul. While this injury delayed his potential MLB debut, Jenkins will find himself back on the verge of a promotion once he returns to the top club. If he faces no setbacks, he could compete for a promotion in July, making him a viable stash option in deeper 12+ team leagues.

2 days ago

Mick Abel • SP • Twins

Mick Abel a Top Waiver-Wire Stash Candidate After Strong Rehab Outing on Tuesday

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Mick Abel (elbow) has been on the injured list since mid-April due to elbow inflammation. However, the 24-year-old struck out five while allowing one earned run across five innings of work in a rehab start at Triple-A on Tuesday and appears to be on the doorstep of a return to the big leagues. Across 20 1/3 innings (four games) before the injury, Abel recorded a 3.98 ERA and 1.57 WHIP with 23 strikeouts. The hard-throwing right-hander's final start before he hit the injured list was an encouraging one, as he struck out 10 across seven scoreless innings against the Boston Red Sox. Given his prospect pedigree and his strong performance in his rehab outings, Abel profiles as a worthy waiver wire stash for fantasy managers ahead of his return to the Twins rotation.

2 days ago

Kaelen Culpepper • 3B • Twins

Twins Place Prospect Kaelen Culpepper on Triple-A Injured List

The Minnesota Twins placed shortstop prospect Kaelen Culpepper (hip) on the seven-day Triple-A injured list with a strained left hip, according to The Athletic's Aaron Gleeman. There was talk about Culpepper potentially being in line for a big-league promotion soon after tearing it up at the top minor-league level, but those talks will now be put on hold for the time being. The Twins' No. 2 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, has hit .273/.377/.498 with an .875 OPS, 14 home runs, 43 RBI, 15 stolen bases, and 53 runs scored in 61 games across 289 plate appearances for the St. Paul Saints in 2026 before injuring his hip. The 23-year-old former 21st overall pick in the 2024 MLB draft out of Kansas State University uses the entire field and makes plenty of contact from the right side of the plate. He tends to chase offspeed pitches off the plate, but with his power/speed upside, he should be rostered in most dynasty/keeper leagues despite his injury. MLB Pipeline has Culpepper ranked 36th overall this year among all prospects.

3 days ago

Kaelen Culpepper • 3B • Twins

Does Minor Injury Diminish Kaelen Culpepper's Stash Worthiness?

Minnesota Twins infield prospect Kaelen Culpepper (glute) was removed from his latest game at Triple-A on Saturday due to glute tightness, and according to Twins general manager Jeremy Zoll, the team believes the injury will not warrant a trip to the injured list. Culpepper should simply be considered day-to-day. Having not played on Sunday and with no game on Monday, it will be interesting to see if the Twins' second-ranked prospect is out there on Tuesday against Omaha or if he'll need more time. The injury slows some momentum that had been building for the former first-round draft pick as he had hit safely in 16 of his last 17 games before Saturday (0-for-3), going 24-for-69 (.348) with two doubles, a triple, five home runs, and five stolen bases over that time, along with an impressive 12:11 BB:K. The recent hot stretch lifted the 23-year-old's season-long slash line to .273/.377/.498 with 14 home runs, 15 steals, a strong 12.8 percent walk rate, and a 17.3 percent strikeout rate. The right-handed hitter should still be on track to debut in the majors in the coming weeks and should be viewed as a high-end stash for fantasy in all leagues with five-category potential.

3 days ago

Walker Jenkins • CF • Twins

Walker Jenkins Back on the Stash Radar Amid Rehab Assignment

Minnesota Twins top outfield prospect Walker Jenkins (shoulder) recently began his rehab assingment wth Low-A Fort Myers and is progressing toward a return to Triple-A. Jenkins has been on the shelf since the start of May with this shoulder injury, but is now not only back on the field, but is showing his elite upside. In his first rehab outing with Low-A, Jenkins went 4-for-5 with a double and a home run. Prior to the injury, Jenkins appeared in 25 games at St. Paul and posted a .256/.396/.389 line with two home runs, five stolen bases, and an 18:19 K:BB. While his bat is still adjusting to Triple-A pitching, the young outfielder has continued to showcase his elite eye at the dish. While the 21-year-old will likely need another week of rehab action before re-joining St. Paul, he will quickly climb the stash rankings as he should compete for an MLB debut early in the second half.

4 days ago

Yoendrys Gómez • RP • Twins

Yoendrys Gomez Earns Sixth Save, has he Claimed the Closer Job?

Minnesota Twins reliever Yoendrys Gomez closed Sunday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals with a clean ninth inning to earn his sixth save of the season and his third in June. On the season, the Twins' closer role has been a bit of a carousel; however, Gomez has become the clear preferred option at this point, and is worth a waiver-wire look in deeper leagues where saves are scarce or hard to come by. On the season, Gomez has not been anything spectacular, as he owns a 1.40 WHIP and 4.01 ERA with 33 strikeouts in 33 2/3 innings pitched; however, in category leagues, a save is a save. For those putting in bids for Gomez, he should come with a short leash, as nothing under the hood speaks to him being a high-upside breakout, as it's more so that he is earning the most recent saves for the Twins and converting on them.

4 days ago

Kyler Fedko • LF • Twins

Twins Promote Outfield Prospect Kyler Fedko, Will he Carve Out a Starting Role?

The Minnesota Twins selected the contract of outfield prospect Kyler Fedko from the minors on Sunday and designated infielder Orlando Arcia for assignment in a corresponding move, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic. Fedko is in the big leagues for the first time after slashing .286/.372/.578 with a .950 OPS, 15 home runs, 11 doubles, two triples, 45 RBI, nine stolen bases, and 44 runs scored in 58 games and 239 plate appearances with Triple-A St. Paul. The 26-year-old right-handed hitter was originally a 12th-round selection in 2021 out of the University of Connecticut. After not doing much in the first couple of years of his pro career in the minors, Fedko broke out in 2025 in 130 games with St. Paul and Double-A Wichita, clubbing 28 home runs, driving in 82, and stealing 38 bases in 566 total plate appearances. Fedko can play all three outfield positions, but it remains to be seen how much he'll play in Minnesota. At the very least, though, he'll be in play for the short side of a platoon somewhere in the outfield against left-handed pitchers.

4 days ago

Kaelen Culpepper • 3B • Twins

Kaelen Culpepper Day-to-Day with Glute Tightness

Minnesota Twins infield prospect Kaelen Culpepper (glute) was removed early from his game with Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday, fueling speculation that he might be headed to the big leagues. However, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports that Culpepper was pulled from the game due to glute tightness and is now considered day to day. The 23-year-old has hit well so far this season across 289 plate appearances at Triple-A, slashing .273/.377/.498 with 14 home runs, 43 RBI, 53 runs scored, and 15 stolen bases. The Twins have gotten middling production from the infield trio of Brooks Lee, Tristan Gray, and Luke Keaschall, which could open a spot for Culpepper to make his MLB debut. Once healthy, Culpepper could be worth stashing off the waiver wire ahead of a potential promotion due to his five-category production potential.

5 days ago

Royce Lewis • 3B • Twins

Royce Lewis Emerging as a Top Pickup Amidst Recent Hot Surge?

Minnesota Twins infielder Royce Lewis went 2-for-4 with a double and a solo home run in Saturday's 9-6 loss to the Cardinals. Lewis has been one of the hotter hitters in baseball since returning to the majors in early June. After going hitless in his first game back, he has hit safely in six straight contests, going 10-for-23 (.435) with two doubles, three home runs, four runs, and four RBI over that stretch. The power-speed combination he's shown during the hot streak gives him strong multi-category appeal. Lewis has started five of his last seven games at first base and appears to have taken over there for the foreseeable future while Brooks Lee remains at third. The combination of his recent power surge and newfound everyday role makes him a strong speculative add, especially with him still only rostered in 27% of Yahoo leagues.

5 days ago

Kaelen Culpepper • 3B • Twins

Kaelen Culpepper Removed Early from Triple-A Game, On Call-Up Watch?

Minnesota Twins shortstop Kaelen Culpepper was removed early during his Triple-A game in Toledo on Saturday. There hasn't been a reason given yet, which could mean that the 23-year-old is heading to the big leagues. Before this game, Culpepper was slashing .277/.381/.504 with 14 home runs, 43 RBI, and 15 stolen bases in 60 games at Triple-A this season. Culpepper is currently the Twins' No. 2 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline. They selected him in the first-round of the 2024 draft out of Kansas State. Fantasy managers should stay tuned for more updates. A move to the big leagues would make Culpepper a popular waiver wire addition.

5 days ago

Kaelen Culpepper • 3B • Twins

When Will Kaelen Culpepper Make his MLB Debut?

Minnesota Twins top infield prospect Kaelen Culpepper continues to showcase elite upside at the Triple-A level and is on the verge of his MLB debut. Over his last 15 contests at St. Paul, the budding infielder has carried an elite .325/.425/.581 line with a 1.005 OPS. During this stretch, Culpepper has gone deep five times and swiped four bags. Overall, the 23-year-old has looked quite comfortable during his first stint at the top club of the minor leagues, posting a .268/.372/.489 slash line with 10 doubles, 14 home runs, 14 stolen bases, and an impressive 49:35 K:BB. Seeing him not only maintain his five-category profile but also show a strong eye at the plate has made him an elite stash option among hitting prospects. Given that Minnesota has lacked much production in the middle of their infield, Culpepper appears to be on a trajectory to debut before the end of June.

7 days ago

Mick Abel • SP • Twins

Mick Abel Strikes Out Five in First Rehab Start on Wednesday

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Mick Abel (elbow) put together a strong performance in his first rehab appearance with Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday, striking out five across three scoreless innings (47 pitches). The 24-year-old has been on the 15-day injured list since mid-April due to inflammation in his right elbow. Across 20 1/3 innings (four appearances) before the injury, Abel recorded a 1-2 record with a 3.98 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, and 23 strikeouts. While Abel's overall line is not particularly impressive, his last start before the injury was a 10-strikeout, seven-scoreless-inning gem against the Boston Red Sox. The hard-throwing right-hander will likely need at least one more rehab start before he's ready to return to the Twins rotation, but he appears to be close to full health. Abel profiles as a solid waiver wire stash target for fantasy managers in need of strikeout upside ahead of his return.

Jun 10

Mick Abel • SP • Twins

Is Mick Abel a Top Stash Candidate as he Begins a Rehab Assignment?

Minnesota Twins right-hander Mick Abel (elbow) is starting a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday, according to MLB.com. The 24-year-old has been out since late April with right-elbow inflammation, but he will return to game action on the farm and should be back in Minnesota's starting rotation by the end of the month. He is scheduled to throw three innings or around 50 pitches in his first rehab start on Wednesday with the Saints, meaning he will likely need at least one or two more starts in the minors before being reinstated from the 15-day injured list. The former first-rounder in 2020 by the Philadelphia Phillies has only appeared in four games (three starts) for the Twins in 2026, posting a 3.98 ERA (2.76 FIP) and 1.57 WHIP with 23 strikeouts and 10 starts across 20 1/3 innings pitched. Because of his strikeout upside and guaranteed rotation spot with the Twins this year, Abel is worth a look as a stash candidate as he nears a return to the big leagues. Abel is currently rostered in only 13% of Yahoo leagues.

Jun 10

Mick Abel • SP • Twins

Mick Abel to Make a Rehab Start on Wednesday

Minnesota Twins right-hander Mick Abel (elbow) is scheduled to throw three innings or 50 pitches in a minor-league rehab start with Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic. It will be Abel's first game action since he landed on the 15-day injured list with inflammation in his right elbow back in late April. Because of how long the 24-year-old has been out, he will require multiple rehab starts before the Twins consider activating him and having him rejoin the starting rotation. The former first-round pick by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2020 out of a high school in Oregon has only made four appearances (three starts) for Minnesota this year and has posted a 3.98 ERA (2.76 FIP), 1.57 WHIP, and 23:10 K:BB in 20 1/3 frames. Abel has generated above-average strikeout rates in the minors with high-end velocity, but control has been an issue. His return isn't imminent, but in deeper fantasy leagues, Abel could be worth stashing for his strikeout upside once he gets closer to coming off the IL. He's currently rostered in just 13% of Yahoo leagues.

Jun 9

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