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Minnesota Twins

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Harrison Bader Harrison Bader Will see significant run in LF Tue, Feb 18, 2025, 12:51 PM Bader is expected to see a "significant amount of playing time" in left field for the Twins this season, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Bader's best asset is his defense in center field, which is where each of his last 651 regular-season appearances have come. However, as long as he's healthy, Byron Buxton is slated to handle the bulk of the playing time in center field. Trevor Larnach is projected to start in left field against right-handers, but he could yield to Bader regularly versus lefties.
Emmanuel Rodriguez Emmanuel Rodriguez Suffers sprained ankle Mon, Feb 17, 2025, 12:35 PM Rodriguez's camp participation will be delayed a week or two after he sprained his left ankle last week, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Analysis: Rodriguez appears to be fully recovered from the right thumb surgery he had last November, but now he has another injury to deal with. Durability has been, unfortunately, a constant concern for Rodriguez, who has yet to play 100 games in any pro season. The soon-to-be 22-year-old has been superb when on the field, having slashed .280/.459/.567 in 2024 even as he was playing through the thumb injury for much of the year.
Ty France Ty France Viewed as starter at 1B Sat, Feb 15, 2025, 10:40 PM France is viewed by the Twins as the starter at first base, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports. "He's going to play a lot," Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. "That's really the best way of saying it. The kind of hitter that he is, this isn't a platoon situation. I think he's going to play." Analysis: France signed just a one-year, $1 million contract which wouldn't appear to indicate he'd be the leader for an everyday role. Baldelli could be just boosting his confidence as the team works on his swing that saw him hit just .234/.305/.365 with 13 homers over 140 regular-season games last season. Jose Miranda and Edouard Julien will also compete for playing time at first base and France could still work in a platoon or time share. Still, Baldelli's comments should make France the leader in the competition as spring training begins.
Erasmo Ramirez Erasmo Ramirez Latches on with MIN Sat, Feb 15, 2025, 1:30 PM Ramirez signed a minor-league contract with the Twins on Saturday that includes an invitation to spring training, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. Analysis: Ramirez appeared in 13 games for the Rays last season, during which he posted a 4.35 ERA and 1.06 WHIP over 20.2 innings. He'll now attempt to win a spot in Minnesota's bullpen during spring training, though it's likely he'll begin the season at Triple-A St. Paul as organizational depth.
Louis Varland Louie Varland Likely to move to bullpen Fri, Feb 14, 2025, 9:37 PM Varland is likely to work as a reliever this spring and try to win a spot in the bullpen, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports. "It's very possible that we see a good amount of him out of the bullpen this year," manager Rocco Baldelli said. Analysis: However, Baldelli did say the move to the bullpen wasn't certain. If he's kept as a starter, he'd likely begin the season in the minors. He struggled last season as a starter in Triple-A with a 4.75 ERA. As a reliever in 2023 in the majors, he showed promise with a 1.50 ERA in 12 innings with a 17:1 K:BB ratio. If he makes the major league bullpen, he could be a sleeper due to a fastball that can touch triple digits.
Simeon Woods Richardson Simeon Woods Richardson Leading fifth starter candidate Thu, Feb 13, 2025, 11:07 PM Woods Richardson is seen as the leading candidate for the No. 5 spot in the Minnesota rotation as spring training begins, Betsy Helfand reports. Analysis: Richardson had his first success in the majors last year with a revamped delivery and increased velocity but ran out of gas late in the season (5.91 ERA and 4.6 BB/9 in his last 11 starts). Still, he's seen as the leading candidate for the fifth starter role, with David Festa and Zebby Matthews also in the mix. Chris Paddack enters camp penciled in as the No. 4 starter, but he's not a lock to keep his spot either. The final two spots could be in flux as a result, but Richardson may begin with a slight lead.
Joe Ryan Joe Ryan No shoulder issues as spring begins Thu, Feb 13, 2025, 10:56 PM Ryan (shoulder) threw 36 pitches without any discomfort Thursday in his first bullpen session of the spring, MLB.com reports. "He came back from [the injury] the way we hoped he would. It gave him virtually pretty close to a normal offseason, which is what you're hoping for," said manager Rocco Baldelli. Analysis: Ryan suffered a Grade 2 teres major strain during a start Aug. 9 and missed the rest of the regular season. He had an MRI in November that showed a "complete resolution" of the shoulder strain and had a fairly normal offseason throwing program. He looks set to begin the season as the No. 2 starter in the Minnesota rotation.
Chris Paddack Chris Paddack Seen as part of rotation Thu, Feb 13, 2025, 10:43 PM Paddack, who didn't pitch in the majors after July due to a forearm strain, enters spring training healthy and is seen as a part of the starting rotation as camp begins, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports. "It's the first offseason he hasn't gone down to zero and then built himself back up," Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. "I think this could be a really good thing for him." Analysis: Paddack could have returned the last week of the season but the Twins didn't activate him from the injured list when out of the playoff race. Paddack continued to throw all offseason and has been working on a bullet slider to add to his arsenal. It was thought Paddack and his $7.5 million salary for 2025 could be traded in the offseason as the Twins faced budget pressure, but he looks set to remain in Minnesota. He'll face competition for a rotation spot from promising younger pitchers David Festa and Zebby Matthews, but it looks like he's penciled into the rotation to begin spring. Still, he'll need to perform well and stay healthy to secure a rotation spot.
Ty France Ty France Inks one-year pact with Minnesota Tue, Feb 11, 2025, 2:26 PM The Twins signed France to a one-year, $1 million contract Tuesday, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Analysis: It's a major-league contract but is not guaranteed, per Miller. France will be thrown into the first-base mix for Minnesota along with Jose Miranda and Edouard Julien. The 30-year-old slashed only .234/.305/.365 with 13 homers over 140 regular-season games between the Mariners and Reds last season, but the Twins will be hoping to get a version of France closer to the one that produced an All-Star campaign in 2022 with Seattle.
Ronny Henriquez Ronny Henriquez Booted from 40-man roster Fri, Feb 7, 2025, 1:56 PM The Twins designated Henriquez for assignment Friday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Minnesota needed to clear spots on its 40-man roster for the signings of Harrison Bader and Danny Coulombe. Henriquez, 24, has made 19 appearances at the major-league level, posting a 2.90 ERA and 24:8 K:BB over 31 innings. He does not have minor-league options remaining, which could limit his appeal on waivers.
Harrison Bader Harrison Bader One-year deal with Minnesota Wed, Feb 5, 2025, 12:39 PM The Twins signed Bader to a one-year contract Wednesday that includes an mutual option for 2026, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports. Analysis: He'll be guaranteed $6.25 million, with up to $2 million more available in incentives, per Dan Hayes and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The Twins have an injury-prone center fielder in Byron Buxton and two left-handed hitting corner outfielders in Trevor Larnach and Matt Wallner, so the right-handed hitting Bader makes sense as an active fourth outfielder. Bader has a career .776 OPS against left-handed pitching and much of his playing time could come versus southpaws, provided Buxton is able to stay healthy.
Danny Coulombe Danny Coulombe Lands in Minnesota Tue, Feb 4, 2025, 8:17 AM The Twins signed Coulombe to a one-year, $3 million contract Tuesday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports. Analysis: Coulombe missed much of the 2024 campaign following surgery to remove bone chips from his pitching elbow, but he's been excellent over the last two seasons when healthy, collecting a 2.56 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 90:17 K:BB over 81 regular-season innings. He'll be the primary lefty setup man ahead of closer Jhoan Duran.
Royce Lewis Royce Lewis Will play third base Fri, Jan 31, 2025, 1:01 PM Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey said during the team's Winter Meltdown fan event last week that Lewis will play third base this season, La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Analysis: The Twins have toyed with the idea of moving Lewis to second base, and while he will get some reps at the keystone during spring training, the plan is for him to be the primary third baseman again in 2025. It's possible things change during the season, but fantasy managers shouldn't be counting on Lewis picking up second base eligibility. Brooks Lee might be the favorite to open the season as the Twins' second baseman, but Edouard Julien, Willi Castro and Austin Martin are also candidates to see action there.
Byron Buxton Byron Buxton No lingering injuries Mon, Jan 27, 2025, 5:30 PM Buxton is feeling "as good as he's felt in a lot of years," general manager Derek Falvey said at Saturday's TwinsFest, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports. Analysis: Unlike last year when Buxton had offseason knee surgery and had finished the previous season with a hamstring issue, Buxton entered the offseason relatively healthy and doesn't have a major rehab entering spring training. It's not quite "best shape of his life" territory for Buxton, but it's as good as we're going to get at this stage of his career.
Brock Stewart Brock Stewart Expects to be ready for Opening Day Sun, Jan 26, 2025, 10:37 PM Although Stewart (shoulder) has thrown three bullpen sessions in the last month and expects to be ready for Opening Day, he will be built up slower than the rest of the pitchers as a precaution this spring, Phil Miller of the Minnesota Star Tribune reports. Analysis: Stewart underwent season-ending arthroscopic right shoulder surgery in August, and his initial recovery timeline was 5-to-6 months. He's been a lockdown reliever for Minnesota when healthy, collecting a 0.66 ERA and 56:17 K:BB through his first 41 innings with the Twins in 2023 and early 2024. However, he hurt his shoulder in May of last year and wasn't the same pitcher thereafter. If healthy and back to his prior form, he'd be a top setup option in the bullpen.
Joe Ryan Joe Ryan Throwing bullpen sessions Sun, Jan 26, 2025, 10:31 PM Ryan had an MRI in November that showed a "complete resolution" of the shoulder strain that ended his 2024 season in August, Phil Miller of the Minnesota Star Tribune reports. He's thrown three bullpen sessions this winter. Analysis: Ryan suffered a Grade 2 teres major strain during a start Aug. 9 and missed the rest of the regular season. With a clean bill of health in the offseason, he is expected to be ready for the start of spring training. He'll return to work at the top of the Minnesota rotation after going 7-7 with a 3.60 ERA and 9.8 K/9 in 23 starts last season.
Carlos Correa Carlos Correa Ready for camp Sun, Jan 26, 2025, 10:51 AM Correa declared himself ready for spring training Saturday after spending the first part of the offseason rehabbing from plantar fasciitis in his right foot, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports. Analysis: The 30-year-old played through the injury during the final weeks of the regular season, but he indicated his recovery and rehab this winter was "more natural" than the previous offseason, when he was working back from plantar fasciitis in his left foot. Correa had a .905 OPS in 2024 but was limited to 86 games due to the injury, and his durability remains a concern heading into 2025.
Pablo Lopez Pablo Lopez Named Opening Day starter Wed, Jan 22, 2025, 11:05 AM Twins manager Rocco Baldelli named Lopez the team's Opening Day starter Wednesday, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Analysis: It's pretty early to be naming an Opening Day starter, but Baldelli chose to let the cat out of the bag during an interview on the Inside Twins podcast. Lopez had a relatively disappointing 2024, going 15-10 while posting a 4.08 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 198:41 K:BB over 185.1 innings. His xERA was 3.67, however, and he posted a 2.77 mark in 13 second-half starts.
Anthony Misiewicz Anthony Misiewicz Finds work with Minnesota Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 10:33 AM Misiewicz signed a minor-league contract with the Twins on Saturday and was invited to spring training, Darren Wolfson of Channel 5 Saint Paul reports. Analysis: Misiewicz appeared in just one game for the Yankees last season while spending most of the year in Triple-A, where he finished with a 3.90 ERA and 1.29 WHIP over 55.1 innings. He'll attempt to win a spot in the Twins' bullpen during spring training, but there's a better chance he begins the year with Triple-A St. Paul.
Armando Alvarez Armando Alvarez Signs minor-league deal with Twins Sun, Jan 12, 2025, 5:44 PM Alvarez signed a minor-league contract with the Twins on Jan. 2. Analysis: Alvarez spent the 2024 campaign with the Athletics organization, batting .315 with 15 home runs, 54 RBI, 46 runs scored and four stolen bases over 75 games with Triple-A Las Vegas. Additionally, the 30-year-old played in 16 games with the A's, batting .243 with a double, two RBI, seven runs scored and a stolen base over 37 at-bats. Alvarez will report to Triple-A St. Paul ahead of the 2025 season and he'll look to impress to potentially garner a shot with the Twins' major-league roster at some point during the year.