Minnesota Twins News

Luke Keaschall • SS • Twins

Luke Keaschall Returns To Second Base

Minnesota Twins infield prospect Luke Keaschall started at second base during a spring training game on Tuesday. This was the first time Keaschall got the start at second base since undergoing Tommy John surgery last August. Twins general manager Jeremy Zoll noted that he will "DH some" and he will "play second some." However, as the season progresses, the team hopes to bring him back to the outfield. Last summer, Keaschall began the campaign with High-A before moving up to Double-A. Across 44 games with High-A, Keaschall posted a stellar .335/.457/.544 slash line. During his first 58 games at the Double-A level, the 22-year-old posted a strong .281/.393/.439 line. Dynasty managers should expect the Arizona state product to begin the campaign at the Double-A level.

Yesterday

Walker Jenkins • OF • Twins

Walker Jenkins Eyeing Early April Return

Minnesota Twins outfield prospect Walker Jenkins (ankle) is "tracking well," according to general manager Jeremy Zoll. The Twins' GM stated that MLB's No. 3 overall prospect has been working on the back fields, and although Jenkins may not be assigned to an Opening Day roster, they do expect him to participate in games in the not-too-distant future. The 20-year-old is expected to begin the season at Double-A Wichita which is where he finished last season. The left-handed slugger slashed .283/.394/.450 between Single-A and High-A in 2024, but went just 4-for-25 (.160) during his six-game audition at Double-A. Still, the former first-round draft pick has one of the best hit tools in the minors and should make his way to Triple-A by season's end. Redraft managers may want to consider stashing him later in the season if it looks like he could make his debut; otherwise, expect the 20-year-old to have an impact on the 2026 campaign and beyond.

Yesterday

Randy Dobnak • RP • Twins

Randy Dobnak To Be On Opening Day Roster

Minnesota Twins right-handed reliever Randy Dobnak will take the open spot in the team's bullpen and will be on the Opening Day roster for Thursday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals on the road, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune's Bobby Nightengale. Dobnak was initially sent to the minors in camp, but injuries to Brock Stewart (hamstring) and Michael Tonkin (shoulder) have opened up a spot for the 30-year-old veteran in the big-league bullpen to open the year. In his fourth year with the Twins in 2024, Dobnak held a 5.59 ERA (4.61 FIP) and 1.65 WHIP with seven strikeouts and five walks in only 9 2/3 relief innings at the big-league level. A finger injury that required surgery derailed his career, and he didn't pitch in the majors at all in 2022 or 2023. Dobnak will need to improve his control if he wants to stick around once Stewart and Tonkin come off the injured list.

2 days ago

Mickey Gasper • 2B • Twins

Mickey Gasper Earns Opening Day Roster Spot

Minnesota Twins second base prospect Mickey Gasper was informed that he made the club's Opening Day roster. Gasper made a good impression in Grapefruit League play, going 12-for-39 (.308) with two home runs, a stolen base, and an 8:5 BB:K. Not only that, the 29-year-old is versatile, manning first base, second base, and catcher this spring for the Twins, plus he's a switch-hitter. The 2018 MLB draft pick finally made his long-awaited MLB debut last season for Boston, although he was unable to muster a hit in his 18 at-bats, so hopefully he can get that out of the way early this year. He owns a career .275/.392/.449 slash line in the minors, with a .174 ISO, .383 wOBA, and 136 wRC+. A career walk rate of 13.9 percent should translate and a 15.8 percent career strikeout rate is promising as well, however, it remains to be seen if a utility role will provide him with enough at-bats to make him fantasy-relevant, especially with super-utility player Willi Castro also still with the team.

2 days ago

DaShawn Keirsey Jr. • CF • Twins

DaShawn Keirsey Jr. Makes Opening Day Roster

Minnesota Twins outfielder DaShawn Keirsey Jr. has been informed that he has made the team's Opening Day roster. Keirsey beats out former first-rounder Austin Martin for the team's last outfield spot to open the regular season. The 27-year-old former fourth-rounder in 2018 out of the University of Utah made his MLB debut in 2024 but went only 2-for-13 with a homer and RBI in six games for Minnesota. He hit .275 with a home run and three stolen bases in Grapefruit League action and can play all three outfield spots. However, barring injuries, Keirsey isn't going to see much playing time for the Twins and can be ignored in all mixed fantasy leagues in 2025. Like Martin, speed is Keirsey's best asset, but playing time will be difficult to come by, and he doesn't feature much power.

2 days ago

Austin Martin • CF • Twins

Austin Martin Optioned To Triple-A

Minnesota Twins outfielder Austin Martin was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul on Monday, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press' Betsy Helfand. Martin lost out on the final outfield spot on the Opening Day roster to DaShawn Keirsey after hitting .275 (11-for-40) with two doubles, five RBI, three stolen bases and seven runs scored in 16 Grapefruit League games. Because of his defensive versatility, the 26-year-old can also fill in at second base, he's likely to return to the big leagues at some point in 2025 as utility depth for the Twins. However, the former first-rounder (fifth overall) by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2020 out of Vanderbilt hasn't lived up to the hype offensively after appearing in 93 games in his rookie season in 2024, hitting .253 (59-for-233) with only one homer, 16 RBI and seven stolen bases. There's some speed potential here, but Martin's lack of power and a clear defensive home makes him avoidable in most fantasy leagues.

2 days ago

Brooks Lee • SS • Twins

Brooks Lee To Start Season On Injured List

Minnesota Twins shortstop Brooks Lee (back) will begin the season on the 10-day injured list, per Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune. On Thursday, Lee was scratched from the Twins' lineup with lower back tightness and is still battling the injury. He did not participate in on-field pregame drills on Saturday. Lee was projected to see a good amount of playing time with teammate Royce Lewis (hamstring) starting the year on the IL, but he'll now recover from his own bout with injury. The 24-year-old hit for good contact in the minors and displayed strong enough plate discipline to profile as a potential impactful asset despite the ineffectiveness during his 2024 debut. He's a late-round option in drafts, selected outside of the top 200. Teammate Edouard Julien will pick up the slack at second base.

4 days ago

Brooks Lee • SS • Twins

Brooks Lee Scratched On Thursday With Back Tightness

Minnesota Twins infielder Brooks Lee (back) was scratched from Thursday's Grapefruit League lineup due to lower-back tightness, according to the St. Paul Pioneer's Betsy Helfand. Lee is being considered day-to-day for now. Jose Miranda replaced him at third base against the Boston Red Sox. While the 24-year-old's injury doesn't appear to be serious, it's a bit more concerning with Opening Day just a week away. The former first-rounder (eighth overall) in 2022 out of Cal Poly made his big-league debut a year ago and hit .221/.265/.320 with a weak .585 OPS, three home runs, 27 RBI, three steals and nine runs scored in 50 games. It wasn't exactly pretty, but Lee displayed strong contact skills in the minors and has good plate discipline. With Royce Lewis (hamstring) starting the year on the injured list, Lee should see solid playing time between second and third base for the Twins as long as his back injury doesn't linger.

7 days ago

Royce Lewis • 3B • Twins

Royce Lewis To Miss Opening Day

Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis (hamstring) is confirmed to have suffered a "moderate" left hamstring strain and will miss Opening Day. Phil Miller of The Minnesota Star Tribune reported the news. Miller notes that the 25-year-old's timetable for return is uncertain for now. However, Lewis states that his hamstring injury is "not even close" to being as severe as the quad injury that forced him from two months of action in 2024. It's excellent news for the former first-overall pick, who was limited to just 140 games over the previous two seasons due to the quad injury and an adductor strain he sustained last July. When Lewis will return remains to be determined. For now, fantasy managers may want to think twice about selecting him at his price, which currently sits inside the top 130 of drafts.

Mar 17

Zebby Matthews • SP • Twins

Zebby Matthews Optioned To Triple-A

The Minnesota Twins have optioned right-handed pitcher Zebby Matthews to Triple-A St. Paul. Matthews was competing for a spot during spring training but fell short. He will begin his 2025 campaign with the St. Paul Saints. In spring training, the right-hander was one of the most dominant pitchers as he tossed nine 1/3 shutout innings. He allowed just four hits and held a near-perfect 1:12 BB:K ratio. The Western Carolina product made his MLB debut last season and struggled over his brief stint as he held a 6.69 ERA with a 1.65 WHIP across 37 2/3 innings. The right-hander held a strong 2.60 ERA with a stellar 0.87 WHIP across 97 innings split between High, Double, and Triple-A before reaching the majors. Fantasy managers should expect Matthews to be the first name called when the Twins need additional depth in their rotation.

Mar 17

David Festa • SP • Twins

David Festa Sent To Triple-A

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher David Festa was sent to Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday. The young right-hander was competing for the final spot in the rotation but fell short. As a result, he will open the season at the top level of the minor leagues. Last summer, Festa made his MLB debut and logged 64 1/3 innings to the tune of a 4.90 ERA with a 1.32 WHIP. He tallied 77 strikeouts and served up 23 free passes. He generated a modest 4.14 xERA and a .240 xBA. During spring training, he held a high 11.91 ERA with a 1.94 WHIP across 11 1/3 innings of work. Festa flashed impressive strikeout upside at Triple-A last season as he tallied 89 punchouts across 60 1/3 innings of work. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progress at Triple-A as he should contend for an early return. With Festa opening the season at Triple-A, Chris Paddack and Simeon Woods Richardson will operate as the No. 4 and No. 5 starters.

Mar 17

Michael Tonkin • RP • Twins

Michael Tonkin Will Open Season On Injured List

Phil Miller of the Minnesota Star Tribune notes that Minnesota Twins pitcher Michael Tonkin (shoulder) is set to begin the 2025 season on the injured list. The 35-year-old picked up what was labeled as a "slight" shoulder strain in his last outing on Feb. 28. Although he is progressing, it appears Tonkin won't make the team's Opening Day roster. The righty was solid in 2024 while spending time with the New York Yankees, New York Mets, and eventually, Minnesota -- pitching to a 3.63 ERA and 1.26 WHIP across 79.1 innings. Fantasy managers can expect him to slot back into his middle reliever role upon returning to health.

Mar 17

Royce Lewis • 3B • Twins

Royce Lewis Expected To Begin 2025 On Injured List

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis (hamstring) is expected to begin the season on the injured list. Lewis pulled up early, trying to beat out a grounder during Sunday's spring training outing, and immediately exited the game. The 25-year-old is set for an MRI on Monday, but the team expects him to start the year on the IL. It's unfortunate news for him, as injuries plagued Lewis' season in 2024, with a quadriceps injury and adductor strain robbing him of a significant portion of the year. The former first-overall pick was solid pre-All-Star break last season (.292 average), but his play suffered after the adductor ailment. Expect teammates Willi Castro and Brooks Lee to fill in at third base during his absence.

Mar 16

Eiberson Castellano • P • Twins

Eiberson Castellano Could Win Bullpen Job

Minnesota Twins pitching prospect Eiberson Castellano could earn a spot in the Opening Day bullpen. Given the numerous injuries to Minnesota's bullpen, including Brock Stewart (knee), Justin Topa (shoulder) and Michael Tonkin (shoulder), Castellano could be a favorite to begin the season in the major leagues. Last season, the 23-year-old began the season by making his High-A debut and he was able to finish the campaign with Double-A. Across 63 1/3 innings at High-A, Castellano held a 4.12 ERA with a 1.33 WHIP. He tallied 86 punchouts and served up 20 walks. At Double-A, Castellano logged 40 1/3 innings to the tune of a 3.79 ERA and a strong 0.99 WHIP. At this level, the No. 13 ranked prospect in the system only served up nine free passes and tallied 50 punchouts. If he were to make the Opening Day roster, he will likely have a middle-relief role in the bullpen.

Mar 16

Royce Lewis • 3B • Twins

Royce Lewis Exits Early On Sunday

Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis (leg) exited Sunday's contest with an apparent leg injury. The infielder sustained this injury while running to first base. Fantasy managers should continue to keep a close eye on his status as the team will likely provide an update after the game. This is not a good sign as Lewis has had his fair share of injuries and could be in danger of missing time early in the 2025 campaign. Last season, the former first overall pick appeared in just 82 games and held a .233/.295/.452 slash line with 16 doubles and 16 home runs. He generated a strong 11.2 percent barrel rate with a 73.3 mph bat speed. However, he drew walks at a modest 8.6 percent rate and struck out at a high 22.8 percent rate. If Lewis were to miss time, fantasy managers should expect Willi Castro or Brooks Lee to see opportunities at the hot corner.

Mar 16

Brock Stewart • RP • Twins

Brock Stewart Exits With Knee Injury

Minnesota Twins right-handed pitcher Brock Stewart (knee) exited Saturday's spring training contest with a knee injury. Stewart felt a "slight pull" behind his left knee. However, after the game, Stewart was feeling much better and testing afterwards went well. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring his status, but this injury appears to not be very serious. Last season, Stewart logged just 15 2/3 innings in the major leagues as he dealt with a shoulder injury during most of the season. During this limited stint, he held a high 5.17 ERA with a 1.47 WHIP. He tallied 20 punchouts and served up walks at a high 11.9 percent rate. However, in 2023, Stewart was one of the most dominant relievers in the sport as he posted a near-perfect 0.65 ERA with a 1.08 WHIP across 27 2/3 innings. When healthy, he should contend for a high-leverage role in the bullpen.

Mar 16

Zebby Matthews • SP • Twins

Zebby Matthews Tosses Three Innings In Return

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Zebby Matthews (hip) tossed three shutout frames in his return on Wednesday. Matthews allowed just one base runner (via a base on balls) and tallied five punchouts. The young right-hander was dealing with a minor hip injury but appears to be past this given his strong performance. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status during camp as he could have a chance to claim the No. 5 spot in the rotation. Last season, Matthews made his MLB debut and logged 37 2/3 innings with a high 6.69 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP. He tallied 43 punchouts while holding a strong 4.3 percent walk. In the minor leagues, he held a 2.60 ERA with a 0.87 WHIP across 97 innings across High, Double, and Triple-A. If he opens the season at Triple-A St. Paul, Chris Paddack will likely claim the final spot in the rotation.

Mar 13

Huascar Ynoa • RP • Twins

Huascar Ynoa Sharp Through First Taste Of Spring Training

Minnesota Twins right-handed pitcher Huascar Ynoa has thrown 2 2/3 shutout innings during his first taste of spring training. Ynoa has served up just one free pass and has yet to allow a hit. He has tallied two strikeouts. The 26-year-old has not pitched in the major leagues since 2022 after undergoing Tommy John in 2023. He began his rehab assignment late last season but was unable to return to the majors. Across a brief 26 1/3 innings at Triple-A last season, Ynoa held a 6.15 ERA with a 1.52 WHIP. During the 2022 campaign, Ynoa logged just six innings in the majors. He logged a career-high 91 innings in 2022 and posted a modest 4.05 ERA with a 1.11 WHIP. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progression during camp, as he could eventually return to the majors as a relief pitcher.

Mar 12

Willi Castro • SS • Twins

Willi Castro The Top Option At 2B For Twins?

The Athletic's Dan Hayes writes that if all of the Minnesota Twins options at second base -- a group that includes Willi Castro, Edouard Julien, Brooks Lee and Mickey Gasper -- are healthy going into the 2025 regular season, the team would likely give the bulk of their plate appearances at the keystone to Castro, the club's reigning MVP. However, due to a potential injury to another position player, Castro could be needed elsewhere, and the Twins are leaving their options open. The 27-year-old has been a super-utility man in Minnesota, playing every position except for catcher and first base while hitting .251/.334/.395 with 47 steals since 2023. Gasper, Lee and Julien have all impressed this spring, but Castro is the biggest lock for consistent playing time over the course of the entire season. Castro offers modest power and speed but is most useful in fantasy for his eligibility at second, third, shortstop and outfield.

Mar 12

Diego Cartaya • C • Twins

Diego Cartaya Assigned To Minor-League Camp

Minnesota Twins catching prospect Diego Cartaya was assigned to minor-league camp on Tuesday. Cartaya was traded to the Twins from the Dodgers in the offseason. The 23-year-old was competing for a spot on the Opening Day roster but instead will continue his development with Triple-A St. Paul. Last season, Cartaya posted a .236/.354/.379 slash line with eight doubles and five home runs at Double-A. He held a 20:57 BB:K and swiped one bag. He then earned a late-season promotion to Triple-A where he posted a modest .208/.292/.350 slash line. At that level, he went deep six times and carried a similar 20:57 BB:K. With Cartaya opening the season in the minor leagues, fantasy managers should expect Ryan Jeffers to be the top catcher in Minnesota with Christian Vazquez operating as the No.2 option. Mickey Gasper is also still on the roster and could break camp as a utility option.

Mar 11

Minnesota Twins News

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