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Harrison Bader Harrison Bader Homers in Minnesota debut
Fri, Mar 28, 2025, 9:46 AM
Bader went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, two RBI and a run scored in Thursday's loss against the Cardinals.
Analysis: Bader appeared ticketed for fourth-outfielder duties with the Twins heading into spring training, but he seems to be a beneficiary of the injuries to infielders Royce Lewis (hamstring) and Brooks Lee (back). With Lewis and Lee on the injured list, Jose Miranda is expected to see the majority of the starts at third base to begin the season, making corner outfielders Trevor Larnach and Matt Wallner candidates to see more time at designated hitter and thereby opening up a spot in the outfield for Bader. His performance Thursday should also help keep him the lineup in the short term until Lee or Lewis return. |
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Matt Wallner Matt Wallner Begins season in leadoff spot
Fri, Mar 28, 2025, 9:43 AM
Wallner started in right field and batted leadoff in Thursday's loss against the Cardinals. He went 0-for-4 with a walk.
Analysis: Wallner usage in the leadoff spot against right-handed starters in spring training carried over into the regular season. He had a chance to tie the game with a runner on in the top of the ninth inning but struck out. He'll likely sit against most left-handed pitchers. |
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Willi Castro Willi Castro Gets start at second base
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 11:22 PM
Castro started at second base and went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI in Thursday's loss to the Cardinals.
Analysis: Castro started at second base and could get the bulk of playing time at the position until Brooks Lee returns from the injured list. Castro should be a regular in the lineup, but may alternate positions to give players days off or to fill in for an injury. |
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Trevor Larnach Trevor Larnach Two hits on Opening Day
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 11:18 PM
Larnach started at DH and went 2-for-3 with a run scored in Thursday's 5-3 loss against the Cardinals.
Analysis: Larnach should get plenty of playing time against right-handed pitching in left field or at DH. He hit cleanup Thursday and should stay in the middle of the lineup even when Royce Lewis returns from a hamstring injury. Larnach will likely sit against most left-handed starters, however. |
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Griffin Jax Griffin Jax Not sharp in regular season debut
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 11:10 PM
Jax allowed a run on a home run and a walk while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning Thursday against the Cardinals.
Analysis: Jax wasn't sharp in his first outing of the season as he was pulled after 21 pitches. Jax will reprise his late inning setup role again this season where he is often used to close games when Johan Duran is unavailable or if the matchup calls for Duran to be used earlier in the game. |
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Pablo Lopez Pablo Lopez Takes Opening Day loss
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 10:29 PM
Lopez gave up four runs (two earned) with three strikeouts, no walks but eight hits over five innings Thursday in taking the loss Opening Day against the Cardinals.
Analysis: Lopez didn't help himself with a key balk and error that led to runs, but manager Rocco Badelli after the game said he thought he improved as the game went on. Lopez wasn't sharp this spring (6.62 ERA in five starts), so he could be off to a slow start this season. |
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Harrison Bader Harrison Bader Draws Opening Day start
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 10:00 AM
Bader will start in left field and bat ninth in Thursday's season opener versus the Cardinals.
Analysis: Bader appeared ticketed for fourth-outfielder duties with the Twins heading into spring training, but he seems to be a beneficiary of the injuries to infielders Royce Lewis (hamstring) and Brooks Lee (back). With Lewis and Lee on the injured list, Jose Miranda is expected to see the majority of the starts at third base to begin the season, making corner outfielders Trevor Larnach and Matt Wallner candidates to see more time at designated hitter and thereby opening up a spot in the outfield for Bader. The 30-year-old brings most of his real-life value as a defender, but he proved to be a decent fantasy asset in 2024 despite often hitting at the bottom of the Mets' batting order. In 143 games last season, Bader totaled 12 home runs, 17 steals, 57 runs and 51 RBI. |
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Edouard Julien Edouard Julien Not in lineup versus righty
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 9:54 AM
Julien is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game in St. Louis, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
Analysis: The Cardinals are starting a righty in Sonny Gray, but the left-handed hitting Julien finds himself on the bench for the opener. The Twins are going with Willi Castro at second base, Trevor Larnach in the designated-hitter spot and Harrison Bader in left field. |
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Anthony Misiewicz Anthony Misiewicz Fails to make roster
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 9:50 AM
The Twins don't include Misiewicz on their 26-man active roster ahead of Thursday's season opener versus the Cardinals.
Analysis: The 30-year-old southpaw is expected to report to Triple-A St. Paul after falling short in his bid for a spot on the Twins' Opening Day roster. Misiewicz has previously made 131 appearances in the big leagues over the past five seasons across stints with the Mariners, Royals, Diamondbacks, Tigers and Yankees, logging a 4.67 ERA in 115.2 innings. |
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Mike Ford Mike Ford Fails to make Opening Day roster
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 9:47 AM
The Twins didn't include Ford on their 26-man active roster ahead of Thursday's season opener versus the Cardinals.
Analysis: While attending camp as a non-roster invitee, Ford faced long odds to win a spot on the Opening Day roster, and he didn't do himself any favors by going 4-for-32 (.125 average) during Grapefruit League play. Assuming his minor-league contract doesn't contain an opt-out clause that would allow him to pursue free agency, the 32-year-old first baseman will likely report to Triple-A St. Paul to begin the season. |
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Brock Stewart Brock Stewart Opening season on IL
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 9:28 AM
The Twins placed Stewart (hamstring) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.
Analysis: Stewart departed his final Grapefruit League appearance March 15 with a left hamstring strain, he's since returned to action, most recently throwing 20 pitches in a minor-league game Saturday. He could return from the injured list in the first half of April. |
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Brooks Lee Brooks Lee Moved to IL
Wed, Mar 26, 2025, 11:28 PM
The Twins placed Lee (back) on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.
Analysis: Lee's back began to tighten up on him toward the very end of spring training, and he won't be able to make it back for Opening Day. Third base reps will likely be handed down to Jose Miranda and Willi Castro while Lee and Royce Lewis (hamstring) are out, but Lee should be able to take over at the hot corner once he returns. |
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Royce Lewis Royce Lewis Officially placed on IL
Wed, Mar 26, 2025, 11:22 PM
The Twins placed Lewis (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.
Analysis: A moderate hamstring strain has kept Lewis sidelined since March 16, and he has yet to resume any sort of baseball activities since then, other than throwing. A minimum-length stay on the IL seems unlikely at this point, and he'll remain without a clear return timeline until he advances to the next stage in his rehab. |
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Michael Tonkin Michael Tonkin Placed on injured list
Wed, Mar 26, 2025, 11:17 PM
The Twins placed Tonkin on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a right shoulder strain.
Analysis: Tonkin hasn't pitched in a game since Feb. 28 due to his strained shoulder. It's unclear how far along he is in his rehab, but his extended hiatus from game action likely means he'll require a rehab assignment in the Twins' minor-league system before making his season debut with the big club. |
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Randy Dobnak Randy Dobnak Selected to active roster
Wed, Mar 26, 2025, 11:13 PM
The Twins selected Dobnak's contract from Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday.
Analysis: Dobnak pitched six shutout innings while striking out seven batters this spring before being moved to minor-league camp March 9, but injuries to Brock Stewart (hamstring) and Michael Tonkin (shoulder) will lead to Dobnak opening the season with Minnesota. The 30-year-old righty owns a 4.99 ERA in his big-league career and has made just five appearances since 2021, so he'll almost certainly be limited to low-leverage situations. |
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Royce Lewis Royce Lewis Yet to begin baseball activities
Tue, Mar 25, 2025, 9:09 PM
Lewis (hamstring) has yet to begin baseball activities, besides throwing, and the swelling in his injured hamstring could last two weeks, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
Analysis: Lewis is set to begin the season on the injured list after suffering a moderate left hamstring strain March 16. While there's no timetable for his return, it sounds like he could be out until late April if it's going to be a few weeks before he's able to ramp up his activity. |
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Randy Dobnak Randy Dobnak Nabs final bullpen spot
Tue, Mar 25, 2025, 8:52 AM
Dobnak has been awarded the final spot in the Twins' bullpen, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
Analysis: Dobnak was sent to minor-league camp earlier this month, but with Brock Stewart (hamstring) and Michael Tonkin (shoulder) slated for injured-list stints, the Twins were in need of bullpen reinforcements. The 30-year-old Dobnak will need to be added to the 40-man and 26-man rosters before Opening Day. |
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Edouard Julien Edouard Julien Set to make final roster
Mon, Mar 24, 2025, 10:48 PM
Julien has unofficially won a spot on Minnesota's 26-man roster to begin the season with Austin Martin optioned to Triple-A, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
Analysis: Julien was on the roster bubble, but will make the team with both Royce Lewis and Brooks Lee set to begin the season on the injured list. Julien could get playing time at second base and DH early in the season against right-handed pitching. |
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Austin Martin Austin Martin Fails to make Opening Day roster
Mon, Mar 24, 2025, 10:14 AM
The Twins optioned Martin to Triple-A St. Paul on Monday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Analysis: He lost out on the final outfielder spot to DaShawn Keirsey. Martin had focused primarily on playing the outfield this spring, but he can also play the infield and could return to more of a utility role at St. Paul. |
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DaShawn Keirsey Jr. DaShawn Keirsey Jr. Makes Minnesota's roster
Mon, Mar 24, 2025, 9:57 AM
The Twins informed Keirsey on Monday that he has made the Opening Day roster, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Analysis: Keirsey earned the spot after hitting .275 with one home run and three stolen bases during Grapefruit League play. The 27-year-old can handle all three outfield spots and will operate mostly as a backup, although he could draw some starts in the outfield on days the Twins use Trevor Larnach, Byron Buxton or Matt Wallner at designated hitter. |
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