Minnesota Twins News

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (forearm) is "fine" after he was removed from Friday's World Baseball Classic game for Team USA against Brazil after being hit by a pitch on his right forearm in the fifth inning, according to Team USA manager Mark DeRosa. X-rays came back negative on Buxton's arm. He initially stayed in the game in the WBC opener on Friday before being replaced in the outfield by Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong. It's great news for the injury-prone two-time All-Star and for the Twins, with the start of the 2026 regular season less than three weeks away. It's also great news for Team USA, which is without Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll (hand) due to a fractured hamate bone that required surgery last month. Buxton didn't start in Saturday's win over Great Britain, but he's not expected to miss much time.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (elbow) was removed from Friday's World Baseball Classic game early against Brazil after being hit by a pitch on his elbow in the fifth inning, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Team USA replaced Buxton in center field with Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong. The severity of Buxton's elbow injury is unclear, and it remains to be seen if the 32-year-old veteran will be able to play in the next game in the tournament. Before leaving, Buxton had gone 0-for-2 at the plate with an RBI and a run scored in a game that Team USA won in a 15-5 blowout. Before joining Team USA for the WBC, Buxton had gone 3-for-13 (.231) with two RBI and a stolen base in six Grapefruit League games. Buxton was named an All-Star in 2025 for the second time in his career and had a career-high 35 homers, 83 RBI, and 24 stolen bases as he managed to stay healthy for 126 games. His lengthy injury history makes him a risk/reward No. 2 fantasy outfielder, though.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Mick Abel turned in his second strong spring performance this past Sunday, allowing no earned runs on one hit and no walks while striking out six over three innings of work. Combined with his spring debut, the right-hander has yet to allow a run and just three hits while walking none so far and striking out a total of 11 through six innings pitched. The former-first round draft pick was consistently throwing his four-seamer over 97 mph in his latest outing, topping out at 98.9 mph and generating six whiffs (55 percent) on 11 swings on that pitch in the process. Abel had a rough go of it during his first taste of the majors last year, posting a gaudy 6.23 ERA and 1.51 WHIP in 10 appearances (eight starts) between Minnesota and Philadelphia, although his last start of the 2025 showed what he is capable of, when he struck out nine in six innings of shutout ball. The 24-year-old will likely begin the season with Triple-A, but if he continues to show well, he could be the first name called when the Twins need rotation help. Although he's not draftable in most leagues, Abel is a name to monitor as he's shown flashes of dominance in the minors with a 28.6 percent strikeout rate at Triple-A in 2025.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton went 0-for-2 with a walk in Tuesday's World Baseball Classic (WBC) game, where the U.S. won 15-1 over the San Francisco Giants squad. Importantly, Buxton also stole a base, showing that his veteran wheels are healthy and ready for the regular season. Despite having played in the most games in 2025 since the 2017 season, the two-time All-Star still missed time due to various ailments, including a concussion, a rib injury, and a knee contusion, resulting in 126 games played in all. Still, it was a very productive campaign, slashing .264/.327/.551 with 35 home runs and 24 steals, culminating in a .367 wOBA and 136 wRC+. Heading into the 2026 season healthy, the 32-year-old looks like a real value at his current draft day price tag, going around pick 95 on Yahoo!, while RotoBaller ranks the 2025 Silver Slugger award-winner at 65 overall.

Minnesota Twins outfield prospect Walker Jenkins (hamstring) was among six players that the team reassigned to minor-league camp on Wednesday, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic. Jenkins was never realistically expected to make the big-league roster out of spring training, and that was especially true after he suffered a Grade 1 left-hamstring strain last weekend. The 21-year-old is a good bet to make his major-league debut for the rebuilding Twins this year, though. The Twins' top prospect, per MLB Pipeline, hit .286/.399/.451 with an .850 OPS, 10 home runs, 34 RBI, 56 runs scored, and 17 stolen bases in 84 total games at four different minor-league levels in 2025. There's no doubt that Jenkins can hit, but injuries have been an issue for him the last two years. The former fifth overall pick in 2023 might need to prove he can stay healthy over the course of the season before the Twins consider him for a call-up later in 2026.

Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis (side) is back in the starting lineup for Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Tampa Bay Rays, starting at third base and batting leadoff. Lewis missed a bit of time in spring training after reporting tightness in his side last week, but an MRI exam was clean, and he's back in action this week. The Twins weren't going to take any chances with the oft-injured 26-year-old this early in camp. Lewis played in over 100 games for the first time in 2025 in his fourth year in the majors, but he disappointed by hitting .237/.283/.388 with a career-low .671 OPS, 13 home runs, 36 runs scored, 52 RBI, and a career-high 12 stolen bases in 403 plate appearances. Fantasy managers should consider Lewis a top-10 fantasy third baseman because of his ability to carry a roster with high-end power when he's on, but durability concerns for the former first overall pick put him on the low end of the top 15 at his position.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Walker Jenkins (hamstring) is going to miss some time after picking up an injury over the weekend. Jenkins has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain. He suffered the injury while attempting to beat out a double play on Saturday. The Twins haven't given a timetable for his return, but it's highly unlikely that he'll play again in camp. Jenkins is one of the top prospects in baseball and should make his MLB debut at some point in 2026. He got a taste of Triple-A last season and figures to begin the season there, assuming he's healthy. It wouldn't be shocking to see Jenkins playing in Minnesota at some point this season.

Minnesota Twins right-hander Bailey Ober was bothered by a hip injury last spring, and it lingered all season long, leading to "compromised mechanics, decreased velocity, and a career-worst 5.10 ERA in 146 1/3 innings." Ober has yet to appear in a Grapefruit League game in spring training, instead "ramping up with live bullpen sessions," according to Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic. "Physically, I'm feeling good," Ober said. "I'm throwing more bullpens this year, just making sure everything mechanically is lined up." The 30-year-old veteran also worked with a hip specialist in the offseason and is hoping to bounce back for the Twins in 2026. Before he battled injuries last year, Ober had three straight seasons with a sub-4.00 ERA, and he also had a career-high 191 punchouts in 178 2/3 innings over 31 starts in 2024. With better health and increased velocity, Ober could return to form and be a great value pick late in fantasy baseball drafts.

Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis' (side) MRI exam came back clean after he was scratched from Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Pittsburgh Pirates with tightness in his side, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic. The 26-year-old is being considered day-to-day for now and will likely be held out of spring training games for a couple of days as a precaution. Injuries have been an issue for the former first overall pick, as last year was the first time in his four major-league seasons that he played in over 100 games. Lewis hit .237/.283/.388 with a .671 OPS, 13 home runs, 52 RBI, 36 runs scored, and a career-high 12 stolen bases in 403 plate appearances. He played in 70 combined games in his first two seasons and has already suffered two torn ACLs. Lewis is injury-prone and streaky as a hitter, but when he's dialed in, he can be an elite power hitter for fantasy managers at third base.

The Minnesota Twins scratched third baseman Royce Lewis (side) from Thursday's Grapefruit League game after he experienced tightness in his right side after running the bases before the game, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic. Lewis was scratched "out of an abundance of caution." It makes sense for the Twins to proceed cautiously with the 26-year-old, who has a lengthy history of injuries. The former first overall pick in 2017 played in a career-high 106 games for the Twins last year but disappointed offensively, slashing .237/.283/.388 with a career-low .671 OPS, 13 home runs, 52 RBI, 36 runs scored, and a career-high 12 stolen bases in 403 plate appearances. Lewis missed over a month of the season last year due to a strained left hamstring he suffered in spring training. He has played in only 70 games in his first two years in the big leagues due to injuries. Lewis' power is well above-average at third base, but durability concerns make him a risk/reward as a top-15 fantasy third baseman.

The Athletic's Dan Hayes reports that the Minnesota Twins were pleased to learn on Wednesday that right-hander Pablo Lopez's (elbow) surgery to fix a "significant" tear in the UCL of his right elbow was "less invasive" than a standard Tommy John surgery. Dr. Keith Meister was able to use an elbow graft from Lopez's 2014 TJ surgery to add an internal brace. The Twins are now "optimistic" about Lopez's chances of returning closer to the start of the 2027 season. The 29-year-old will have an MRI exam in roughly five months, at which point we should have a better idea of when he might be able to return to pitching. Fantasy managers should have already taken Lopez off their draft boards for the 2026 season. All things considered, it's good news for Lopez, but a second major right-elbow surgery means that he'll be more of a gamble as the Twins' ace next year.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Bailey Ober had a season to forget in 2025. Across 146 1/3 innings (27 starts), the 30-year-old posted a 6-9 record with a 5.10 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and 120 strikeouts. Ober's strikeout rate plummeted from 26.9% in 2024 to 19.2% in 2025, and he allowed a whopping 1.85 HR/9. On the plus side, Ober's control continues to be a major asset. He allowed just a 5% walk rate in 2025 and owns a career walk rate of 5.3%. If Ober can push back up closer to his 24% career strikeout rate in 2026, he could be in line for a bounce-back season. Coming into 2025, Ober had posted two straight 140-plus inning seasons with a WHIP of 1.07 or lower, so he has the potential to be a real asset in the category for fantasy managers. Ober should also hold a secure spot in the Minnesota rotation, particularly after the Twins lost starter Pablo Lopez (elbow) to Tommy John surgery earlier this month. With a current average draft position of pick 296, Ober may end up being a value selection for fantasy managers in 2026.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan (back) was able to play catch from 90 feet on Tuesday, according to Matthew Leach of MLB.com. The right-hander underwent an MRI over the weekend after feeling soreness in his lower back. However, it appears Ryan is not facing a serious injury, as he has already resumed baseball activities. Managers should keep an eye on his status, as he may be cleared to return to the mound in the coming days. Last season, Ryan logged a career-high 171 innings to the tune of a 3.42 ERA with a stellar 1.04 WHIP. He struck out 194 hitters while posting an elite 5.7% walk rate, which placed him within the 87th percentile among qualified pitchers. The 29-year-old remains a top target when looking to improve your WHIP ratio, given his stellar command. He carries solid SP2 upside in all formats in 2026.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Matt Wallner brings elite raw power but has been very streaky in his time in the majors. He only hit .202 in his 104 games last season but did set a career-high with 22 home runs. The lefty actually had more success against lefties, but his contact rate was low on both sides of the splits. He did lower his strikeout rate from 36.4% in 2024 to 29.1% in 20205, but it was still extremely high. He arrived in spring training 10 pounds lighter and with an altered batting stance, looking to even out his hot and cold streaks. He said that he is "Just trying to have more of a simple [swing] path as opposed to the highs and lows that come with a big swing." He should get a chance to establish himself as one of the key sluggers in the Twins' thinner lineup coming into the year, so taking a shot on him late in your draft could pay off if he's able to continue to cut down on his strikeout rate and still bring power.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan (back) appears to have avoided a significant injury after being scratched ahead of his scheduled start on Saturday. An MRI has revealed that Ryan is dealing with back inflammation, which seems like a minor issue. There is no word on when Ryan will be able to take the mound again. The assumption is that Ryan is day-to-day and should be back to throwing off the mound soon. This is overall good news for the Twins who have already lost Pablo Lopez (elbow) for the entire season due to Tommy John surgery. They'll need to lean on Ryan as the ace of the rotation after posting a stellar campaign in 2025. If healthy, Ryan should be viewed as a top-20 starting pitcher heading into the regular season.

The Minnesota Twins announced that right-hander Joe Ryan (back) was scratched from his start in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Boston Red Sox due to lower-back tightness on his right side, according to Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic. We'll have a better idea of the severity of Ryan's back injury in a day or two, but hopefully it's nothing serious enough to put him on the injured list to start the 2026 season, especially after the Twins already lost ace Pablo Lopez (elbow) for the season due to Tommy John surgery. The 29-year-old finally stayed healthy through the 2025 season and made 30 starts, going 13-10 with a career-best 3.42 ERA (3.74 FIP), 1.03 WHIP, and a 194:39 K:BB in a career-high 171 innings pitched. Despite not lighting up the radar gun, Ryan induces plenty of whiffs and has excellent control. As long as his back injury doesn't jeopardize the start of his 2026 season, Ryan should be viewed as a top-20 fantasy starting pitcher.

Minnesota Twins right-hander Pablo Lopez (elbow) will have season-ending Tommy John surgery next Wednesday, according to Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic. This was the expectation after it was announced earlier this week that Lopez suffered a tear in his right UCL. Fantasy managers can now officially cross the 29-year-old off their 2026 draft boards, and he might not be ready for the start of next season either, depending on how his rehab goes. It's a massive blow to a rebuilding Twins team, as they will be without their ace all year. His injury could open up a rotation spot for right-hander Zebby Matthews, who has struggled so far in two major-league seasons. Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, Simeon Woods Richardson, and Taj Bradley are the other starters that should be locked into Minnesota's Opening Day rotation.

Minnesota Twins right-hander Zebby Matthews could be a candidate for the No. 5 starting rotation spot to begin the 2026 season now that right-hander Pablo Lopez (elbow) will likely miss the entire season, according to Matthew Leach of MLB.com. Taj Bradley and Simeon Woods Richardson were the favorites for the fourth and fifth spots in the Opening Day rotation, but a new spot has emerged in Minnesota due to Lopez's injury. In 16 starts for the Twins last year, Matthews struggled to a 5.56 ERA (3.79 FIP) and 1.49 WHIP with 88 strikeouts and 24 walks in 79 1/3 innings over his 16 starts. The former eighth-round pick in 2022 out of Western Carolina University also struggled to a 6.69 ERA and 1.65 WHIP in his first nine big-league starts in 2024. Under the hood, Matthews showed promise with plenty of velocity and above-average strikeout and walk rates. A high .357 BABIP and 3.79 FIP indicate bad luck. Given another opportunity in 2026, don't be surprised if Matthews turns things around.

Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis sought guidance from outside hitting coach Jeremy Isenhower, recommended to him by Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., in the offseason in search of a solid base and more consistent performance, according to MLB.com's Matthew Leach. The 26-year-old former first overall pick in 2017 played in a career-high 106 games last year but hit a disappointing .237/.283/.388 with a career-low .671 OPS, 13 home runs, 52 RBI, 36 runs, and a career-high 12 stolen bases in 403 plate appearances. Lewis' primary focus while working with Isenhower has been pre-swing preparation to get Lewis into the best possible position before he begins his swing. Isenhower is hoping a quieter stance will help Lewis, who already has elite bat speed, improve his pitch recognition, swing decisions, and quality of contact. If he can apply his mechanical fixes in 2026, Lewis could be a nice value pick in fantasy drafts at third base. Remember, he hit .303 with 27 homers in his first 94 big-league games.

Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis adopted a new hitting program and worked with a personal hitting coach for the first time in his career this past offseason, per Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. The 26-year-old has long tantalized fantasy managers with his obvious talent and production upside, but he's struggled with inconsistency and major injury issues to this point in his career. Across 403 plate appearances in 2025, Lewis hit .237/.283/.388 with 13 home runs, 52 RBI, 36 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases. While his 403 plate appearances represented a career single-season high, Lewis' .671 OPS was by far the worst mark he's posted in the big leagues. His barrel rate dropped from 11.2% in 2024 to 8.7% in 2025, and his isolated slugging percentage dipped from .219 to .152. Heading into 2026, Lewis appears to be fully healthy and has made significant changes to his offseason preparation. Lewis could significantly outperform his current average draft position of pick 191, but his profile obviously comes with a sizable amount of risk for fantasy managers.