Minnesota Twins News

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Joe Ryan • SP • Twins

Joe Ryan Has Mutual Option Declined, Remains Under Team Control

The Minnesota Twins are declining their half of a 2027 mutual option for starting pitcher Joe Ryan, per Dan Hayes of The Athletic. However, Hayes notes that Ryan remains under team control via arbitration for 2027. Thus, this is a cost-cutting maneuver for Minnesota, as Ryan's $9.6 million arbitration projection comes in below the value of the $13 million option. Ryan dealt with some injury issues in 2026 but still put together a productive season, recording a 7-10 record with a 3.79 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 159 strikeouts across 144 2/3 innings (27 starts). If declining the mutual option signals that Minnesota is not looking to sign Ryan Long-term, the 30-year-old could be a trade candidate this winter ahead of his final season of team control.

6 days ago

Pablo López • SP • Twins

Pablo Lopez Scheduled to Throw Off a Mound in November

Minnesota Twins right-hander Pablo Lopez (elbow) did not pitch at all for the Twins in 2026 after having Tommy John surgery in February, but the veteran hurler is two months into a three-month buildup to return to the mound and is scheduled to throw off a mound in the third week of November, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic. Lopez and the Twins think he will be ready for the start of the 2027 season, barring a setback. "We'll have a sense of exactly where he's at come spring training, but (we're) expecting him to be a full go for the season," general manager Jeremy Zoll said in late September. It is the second time in his career that Lopez has had Tommy John surgery, and he said the first experience better prepared him mentally for his current program. Not only will the 30-year-old Venezuelan be returning from right-elbow surgery in 2027, but it will be the final year of his four-year, $73.5 million deal. In 14 starts in 2025 in his third year in Minnesota, Lopez was lights-out, going 5-4 with a career-best 2.74 ERA (3.19 FIP) and 1.11 WHIP with 73 strikeouts and 20 walks in 75 2/3 innings pitched. Lopez was a first-time All-Star in 2023 in his first year with the Twins, when he had a career-high 234 punchouts.

Oct 28

Jeff Hoffman • RP • Twins

Jeff Hoffman Undergoes Arthroscopic Elbow Surgery

Minnesota Twins right-handed reliever Jeff Hoffman (elbow) underwent right arthroscopic elbow surgery with Dr. Jeffrey Dugas, which included the removal of a bone chip and a debridement procedure, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic. The Twins say that Hoffman will start a throwing program in eight weeks, and they expect him to be ready for the start of the 2027 season. The surgery comes after the Twins placed Hoffman on the 15-day injured list to close out the last week of the regular season in late September with inflammation in his right forearm. After being acquired in a midseason trade from the Toronto Blue Jays in 2026, Hoffman served as a late-inning setup man to closer Yoendrys Gomez. Barring a setback in his recovery from elbow surgery, Hoffman should open next season in the same role for Minnesota, which will limit his fantasy baseball appeal without a consistent path to saves. The 33-year-old veteran had a career-high 33 saves with Toronto in 2025, but he closed out only six games last year with a 3.55 ERA and 1.32 WHIP. He was at least more effective in his 20 relief outings in Minnesota, posting a 2.50 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 27:12 K:BB with one save.

Oct 27

Pablo López • SP • Twins

Pablo Lopez Could Be Ready for the Start of the 2027 Season

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Pablo Lopez (elbow) is targeting a Spring Training return to the mound, per Bobby Nightengale of the Minnesota Star Tribune. Lopez missed the entire 2026 season after undergoing an internal brace procedure on his right elbow in February. The 30-year-old was a productive pitcher in 2025, recording a 5-4 record with a 2.74 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 73 strikeouts across 75 2/3 innings (14 starts). However, Lopez also has a lengthy track record of health problems. He's undergone two major surgeries on his elbow and has also missed time in his career with shoulder issues. Still, if Lopez can put together a fully healthy season in 2027, he could be an impact pitcher for fantasy managers.

Oct 24

Byron Buxton • CF • Twins

Byron Buxton Expected to Be Ready for the Start of 2027

"All signs point" to Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (hip) being ready for the start of the 2027 season, per Dan Hayes of The Athletic. After battling a recurring hip issue for much of 2026, Buxton underwent season-ending surgery in mid-September. The 32-year-old was his usual productive self when healthy this past season, hitting .254/.319/.511 with 25 home runs, 46 RBI, 65 runs scored, and seven stolen bases. With a 15.8% barrel rate and a 46.7% hard-hit rate, Buxton remains a high-end power threat on a per-plate-appearance basis. However, health remains the obvious red flag in the veteran center fielder's profile. Buxton has reached just 450 plate appearances only once in the last nine years. Any potential lingering effects from the hip surgery could also impact Buxton's speed, which was once an appealing part of his fantasy skill set but may now be waining. Still, Buxton's power potential makes him an intriguing mid-round outfielder for fantasy managers to target in drafts going into 2027.

Oct 2

Walker Jenkins • CF • Twins

Walker Jenkins Set to Undergo Elbow Surgery

Minnesota Twins outfielder Walker Jenkins (elbow) will undergo surgery to "remove bone chips/spurs" from his right elbow, per Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune. Jenkins made his MLB debut with the Twins in late August, hitting .226/.293/.393 with four home runs, 10 RBI, 14 runs scored, and one stolen base across 93 plate appearances in the big leagues. The 21-year-old is widely considered to be one of the better outfield prospects in baseball and dominated Triple-A pitching before getting promoted, hitting .308 with 12 home runs and 17 stolen bases across 307 trips to the plate. Assuming Jenkins is able to make a full recovery ahead of next spring, he could be a key piece of the Twins' 2027 plans. However, fantasy managers should be aware that he will not have a fully healthy offseason to continue developing his game.

Sep 29

Jeff Hoffman • RP • Twins

Jeff Hoffman Lands on Injured List to End the Season

The Minnesota Twins placed right-handed reliever Jeff Hoffman (forearm) on the 15-day injured list on Saturday with inflammation in his right forearm, according to Aaron Gleeman. The Twins activated shortstop prospect Kaelen Culpepper (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move. After blowing the save in Game 7 of last year's World Series against the Dodgers, Hoffman finishes his 2026 campaign with a 6-8 record, 3.55 ERA (2.47 FIP), a 1.32 WHIP, only six saves, a career-high 102 strikeouts, and 30 walks in 66 innings out of the bullpen for the Twins and Toronto Blue Jays. He had five of his six saves on the year in Toronto, but also an ERA near 4.00. Although Hoffman was used as more of a late-inning setup man after being acquired in a trade by Minnesota, he fared better in his 20 relief outings with the Twins, with a 2.50 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 27:12 K:BB in 18 innings pitched. Despite not seeing many save chances, Hoffman picked up a career-high 22 holds and was still very valuable in fantasy formats that reward points for holds.

Sep 26

Kaelen Culpepper • SS • Twins

Kaelen Culpepper Returns From Injured List on Saturday

The Minnesota Twins officially activated shortstop prospect Kaelen Culpepper (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list on Saturday and placed right-handed reliever Jeff Hoffman (forearm) on the 15-day injured list with inflammation in his right forearm in a corresponding move, according to Aaron Gleeman. The Twins have elected to bring Culpepper back for the final two games of the regular season after he was placed on the IL on Sept. 16 with a left-hamstring strain. He should be back in action on Saturday evening at home against the Texas Rangers and right-hander Nathan Eovaldi. The 23-year-old former first-rounder in 2024 from Kansas State University is viewed as the team's shortstop of the future, and MLB Pipeline has him ranked as Minnesota's No. 3 overall prospect, behind only outfielder Walker Jenkins and catcher Vahn Lackey. Culpepper has looked good in his first 109 major-league at-bats, hitting .275 with three home runs, 11 RBI, 15 runs scored, and a stolen base. He brings a strong contact-oriented approach with good bat speed and the ability to send line drives to all parts of the field.

Sep 26

Josh Bell • DH • Twins

Josh Bell a Reliable Run Producer to Target on the Waiver Wire

Across 655 plate appearances in 2026, Minnesota Twins first baseman Josh Bell is hitting .255/.317/.416 with 20 home runs, 92 RBI, 76 runs scored, and two stolen bases. The 34-year-old may not have one clear standout skill, but he remains a steady source of power and run production. Bell has kept his strikeout rate manageable at 19.9% while still posting solid barrel (9.5%) and hard-hit (42.0%) rates. The veteran switch-hitter also remains locked into everyday playing time in the heart of the Twins lineup, putting him in a good position to rack up runs and RBI. Heading into the final weekend of the regular season, Bell profiles as a balanced producer for fantasy managers to target on the waiver wire.

Sep 24

Walker Jenkins • CF • Twins

Walker Jenkins Heating Up, Emerging as a Priority Waiver-Wire Add

Across 79 plate appearances since making his MLB debut in late August, Minnesota Twins outfielder Walker Jenkins is hitting .214/.295/.414 with four home runs, nine RBI, 11 runs scored, and one stolen base. There's reason to believe that the 21-year-old has suffered through some poor luck at the plate, as his .224 batting average on balls in play is well below league average and significantly worse than his .340 BABIP at Triple-A this season. Jenkins has also begun to unlock his power recently, with three of his four home runs coming in his last six games played. The young center fielder is widely considered to be one of the top prospects in baseball, and he dominated Triple-A pitching by hitting .308/.407/.532 with 12 home runs, 28 RBI, 51 runs scored, and 17 stolen bases across 307 plate appearances before his promotion. In leagues where he's available on the waiver wire, Jenkins profiles as a high-upside outfielder target for fantasy managers in the final week of the 2026 season.

Sep 23

Kaelen Culpepper • SS • Twins

Twins Place Kaelen Culpepper on Injured List With Hamstring Strain

The Minnesota Twins announced on Wednesday that they placed rookie infielder Kaelen Culpepper (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list with a strained left hamstring and recalled infielder Ben Ross from Triple-A St. Paul in a corresponding move. Although Culpepper's hamstring injury is not believed to be serious, he will not be eligible to return until the final two games of the 2026 regular season at the end of September. Ross is making the start at the 6 for the Twins on Wednesday against the New York Yankees and left-hander Carlos Rodon, but Ryan Kreidler figures to see the most action at shortstop with Culpepper on the shelf in Minnesota. Culpepper, the team's No. 3 prospect at MLB Pipeline, has handled himself well at the plate in his first 109 big-league at-bats, hitting .275 with three home runs, 11 RBI, 15 runs scored, and one stolen base. The 23-year-old is expected to be the Twins' long-term option at the shortstop position going into the start of next season.

Sep 16

Kaelen Culpepper • SS • Twins

Kaelen Culpepper Exits Early on Tuesday with Apparent Leg Injury

Minnesota Twins shortstop Kaelen Culpepper (leg) was removed in the sixth inning of his team's game against the New York Yankees on Tuesday after grabbing at his leg while running out a ground ball, per Twins beat writer Aaron Gleeman. Culpepper was hitless in three plate appearances before exiting the game. Culpepper returned to the lineup on Tuesday after missing two games with a shoulder injury, but it appears he could now be facing additional missed time. Across 120 plate appearances since making his MLB debut in early August, the 23-year-old is hitting .275/.333/.404 with three home runs, 11 RBI, 15 runs scored, and one stolen base. Twins utility man Ryan Kreidler replaced Culpepper at shortstop on Tuesday.

Sep 15

Kaelen Culpepper • SS • Twins

Kaelen Culpepper Back in Action for Twins on Tuesday

Minnesota Twins shortstop prospect Kaelen Culpepper (shoulder) and corner infielder Royce Lewis (shoulder) are both back from their shoulder injuries on Tuesday against the visiting New York Yankees and left-hander Max Fried at Target Field, according to MLB.com. Culpepper is starting at short and batting second, with Lewis manning first base and hitting fifth for the Twins. Culpepper has never faced Fried, while Lewis is hitless against him in just three at-bats. The 23-year-old Culpepper missed the last two games after being hit by a pitch on his shoulder on Saturday against the Cleveland Guardians, but he is back now and looking to continue his strong start in his MLB debut late this season. The former 21st overall pick in 2024 from Kansas State has gone 30-for-106 (.283) with three home runs, 11 RBI, 15 runs scored, and a stolen base in Minnesota in his first 30 MLB games, and he will close out the year as the Twins' primary shortstop.

Sep 15

Kaelen Culpepper • SS • Twins

Kaelen Culpepper Remains Out With Shoulder Injury

Minnesota Twins shortstop prospect Kaelen Culpepper (shoulder) and corner infielder Royce Lewis (shoulder) both remain out of Monday's starting lineup against the New York Yankees due to shoulder injuries, according to MLB.com. Culpepper is missing a second straight start after being hit by a pitch on Saturday night. Lewis left the series finale on Sunday against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians with soreness in his left shoulder. Ryan Kreidler is starting at the 6 and batting eighth on Monday, with Victor Caratini starting at first base and hitting seventh against Yankees right-hander Will Warren. Culpepper, the team's No. 3 overall prospect per MLB Pipeline, has looked good so far in his first 30 big-league games with the Twins, slashing .283/.342/.415 with a .757 OPS, three home runs, five doubles, 11 RBI, 15 runs scored, and one steal in 117 plate appearances. Fantasy managers should consider both players day-to-day for now and check back to see if they are available to return for Game 2 of the series against the Yankees on Tuesday.

Sep 14

Kaelen Culpepper • SS • Twins

Kaelen Culpepper is Dealing with Shoulder Injury

Minnesota Twins shortstop Kaelen Culpepper (shoulder) was removed from Saturday's game against the Cleveland Guardians. He was pulled from the contest after getting hit by a pitch in the upper back. The X-rays came back negative, so the team is considering Culpepper day-to-day with a shoulder contusion, according to Aaron Gleeman. Ryan Kreidler took over for Culpepper at shortstop for the rest of Saturday's game. The expectation is that Kreidler will see the bulk of the playing time there until the rookie shortstop is back in the mix. Fantasy managers should check back ahead of Sunday's contest for another update on his status.

Sep 12

Emmanuel Rodriguez • CF • Twins |

Manuel Rodríguez • RP • Rays

Twins to Promote Outfield Prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez

The Minnesota Twins are calling up outfield prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez to the major leagues on Saturday from Triple-A St. Paul, according to Milb Central. Considered the Twins' fifth overall prospect, Rodriguez earns the call to the big leagues this weekend after hitting .262/.414/.500 with a .914 OPS, 11 home runs, 33 RBI, 36 runs scored, and seven stolen bases in 49 games across 220 plate appearances with the Saints this year. He could have an opportunity to see some playing time in the final couple of weeks of the 2026 season in Minnesota, although he most likely will not see everyday playing time, even though Byron Buxton will miss the rest of the year because of season-ending hip surgery. The 5-foot-11, 210-pound Rodriguez has played all three outfield positions in the minors and has impressive raw power from the left side of the plate. Rodriguez also has some nice plate discipline and should eventually get on base at a nice clip, but his swing-and-miss tendencies mean he probably will not help in the batting-average department. He is currently rostered in only 1% of Yahoo leagues and is unlikely to make a huge fantasy impact upon his big-league call-up.

Sep 12

Byron Buxton • CF • Twins

Byron Buxton to Undergo Season-Ending Hip Surgery

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (hip) will undergo arthroscopic hip surgery next Friday, which will end his 2026 season, according to Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic. Buxton will finally go under the knife for a hip impingement that put him on the injured list three separate times during the second half of the year. The most recent occurrence put him on the shelf in late August, and he will now officially be a drop candidate in redraft fantasy baseball leagues. The 32-year-old veteran had an excellent first half of the season when he was healthy, slashing .271/.328/.575 with 25 home runs, 45 RBI, 57 runs scored, and seven stolen bases in 75 games played. But he ended up playing only 18 second-half games due to his hip, and he hit a lowly .172/.274/.203 with zero homers, one RBI, seven walks, and 17 strikeouts. Buxton should be fully recovered in time for spring training in 2027, but his injury-plagued second half in 2026 reminds everyone that while he still has power upside, the former first-rounder will be a major injury risk.

Sep 11

Zebby Matthews • SP • Twins

Zebby Matthews Emerging as an Appealing Starting Pitcher Streamer

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.

Sep 7

Joe Ryan • SP • Twins

Joe Ryan Reinstated and Starting on Monday

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.

Sep 7

Kaelen Culpepper • SS • Twins

Kaelen Culpepper Remains Available in Most Leagues Amid Fantastic Start

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.

Sep 6

Minnesota Twins News

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