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Minnesota Twins

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Byron Buxton Byron Buxton Removed from WBC game after HBP Fri, Mar 6, 2026, 9:12 PM Buxton was removed from Friday's World Baseball Classic game against Brazil after getting hit on the elbow by a pitch, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Buxton ran the bases for himself after taking a 92-mph fastball off his right elbow in the fifth inning, but he was replaced on defense to begin the next half-inning. The severity of his injury remains unclear, but more information on his status should come in the near future.
Luke Keaschall Luke Keaschall First outfield action since 2024 Thu, Mar 5, 2026, 10:28 AM Keaschall is starting Thursday's Grapefruit League contest in left field, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports. Analysis: It's notable because it marks the first time Keaschall will play the outfield since undergoing elbow surgery in 2024. The 23-year-old made his major-league debut last season and only played second base if he wasn't slotted in as the designated hitter. While Keaschall is expected to man the keystone for Minnesota, position versatility will allow Minnesota to keep Keaschall's bat in the lineup after he slashed .302/.382/.445 with four home runs, 28 RBI, 25 runs scored, 14 stolen bases and a 19:29 BB:K across 207 plate appearances last season.
Liam Hendriks Liam Hendriks Makes spring debut Wed, Mar 4, 2026, 9:55 AM Hendriks (elbow) struck out one batter and gave up one hit and no walks over a scoreless inning Tuesday in the Twins' 5-3 loss to the Rays in Grapefruit League play. Analysis: Hendriks took the hill for his spring debut Tuesday, signaling that he's back to full health after undergoing right elbow ulnar nerve transposition with posterior interosseous nerve release surgery back in September. The 37-year-old righty has been limited to just 19 big-league appearances over his last three seasons and hasn't been particularly effective when available, so the Twins likely aren't envisioning him filling a high-leverage role in 2026. Hendriks' main objective is to pitch well enough in spring training to earn a spot in the Twins' Opening Day bullpen, as he's attending camp as a non-roster invitee.
Royce Lewis Royce Lewis Back in action Tuesday Tue, Mar 3, 2026, 10:16 AM Lewis (side) is starting at third base and batting leadoff in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays. Analysis: The third baseman has been sidelined the past few days after some side tightness cropped up last week, but he's ready to rejoin the lineup after having an MRI come back clean and going through live batting practice Sunday. Given Lewis' extensive injury history, fantasy managers should still keep on eye on his health status throughout spring training.
Bailey Ober Bailey Ober Strong velocity early in camp Sun, Mar 1, 2026, 4:31 PM Ober's fastball velocity sat around 90-91 mph during his live batting practice session Sunday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports. Analysis: The right-hander saw his average velocity tick down to a career-low 90.3 mph while managing hip problems last season, so it's encouraging that he's already at or above that level early in spring training. Ober struggled to a 5.10 ERA in 27 starts last year, but his 3.66 ERA across the three prior campaigns makes him a decent candidate to bounce back in 2026, assuming he can stay healthy.
Joe Ryan Joe Ryan Ready to face hitters Sun, Mar 1, 2026, 9:48 AM Ryan (back) checked out well after his bullpen session Saturday and is slated to face hitters in live batting practice in the coming days, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Ryan has yet to make his Grapefruit League debut, after he was scratched ahead of his scheduled outing last weekend when he experienced inflammation on the right side of his back. The right-hander was cleared to resume working out a few days after suffering the injury and seems to be moving through his throwing program as anticipated. While the back issue will prevent Ryan from pitching for Team USA during pool play in the World Baseball Classic, he's still part of the designated player pool and could be available for the second round of the WBC if his schedule aligns with it. Before that, Ryan is expected to pitch in a Grapefruit League game about five or six days after he throws his live BP session, per Matthew Leach of MLB.com.
Royce Lewis Royce Lewis MRI on side comes back negative Fri, Feb 27, 2026, 8:35 AM An MRI on Lewis' right side came back negative, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Lewis had to be scratched from Thursday's Grapefruit League lineup against the Pirates due to tightness in his side, but he has managed to sidestep a serious injury. The Twins are likely to keep Lewis out of game action for at least a few days to be safe, but he should be considered day-to-day.
Pablo Lopez Pablo Lopez Placed on 60-day IL Thu, Feb 26, 2026, 2:07 PM The Twins placed Lopez (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Thursday. Analysis: Lopez underwent an internal brace procedure Wednesday -- rather than a full Tommy John surgery -- in an effort to shorten his recovery process, but he will still be forced to miss the entire 2026 season. His move to the 60-day IL will create a spot on the 40-man roster for Zak Kent, who was claimed off waivers from the Cardinals on Thursday.
Zak Kent Zak Kent Claimed by Twins Thu, Feb 26, 2026, 2:00 PM The Twins claimed Kent off waivers from the Cardinals on Thursday. Analysis: After being DFA'd on Saturday to make room for Ramon Urias, Kent will now enter the competition to make a Twins bullpen that has several open spots to fill. The 28-year-old righty posted a 4.58 ERA and 1.42 WHIP over 17.2 innings with the Guardians last season in what was his first taste of major-league action.
Royce Lewis Royce Lewis Scratched with right-side tightness Thu, Feb 26, 2026, 11:39 AM Lewis was scratched from Thursday's Grapefruit League lineup against the Pirates with tightness in his right side, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Lewis suffered the injury while running the bases during pregame warmups. He was scratched "out of abundance of caution," according to the team. Consider Lewis day-to-day for now, but it's yet another injury for the third baseman. Lewis appeared in a career-high 106 regular-season games last season, slashing a disappointing .237/.283/.388 with 13 home runs, 52 RBI, 36 runs scored, 12 stolen bases and a 25:80 BB:K across 403 plate appearances.
Julian Merryweather Julian Merryweather Shut down with Grade 1 strain Thu, Feb 26, 2026, 9:45 AM Twins head trainer Nick Paparesta said Thursday that Merryweather has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain and will likely need about 3-to-4 weeks to recover before being available in games, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports. Analysis: While Merryweather could resume full baseball activities in about two weeks, he doesn't look like he'll be on track to pitch again before the Twins' Grapefruit League slate comes to an end. With that in mind, the injury effectively ends Merryweather's bid for a berth in the Opening Day bullpen, as he had been attending camp as a non-roster invitee and likely needed a strong spring to clinch a spot. Expect Minnesota to reassign Merryweather to minor-league camp in the coming weeks.
Pablo Lopez Pablo Lopez Opts for internal brace surgery Thu, Feb 26, 2026, 9:40 AM Twins head trainer Nick Paparesta said that Lopez underwent a successful UCL repair surgery with an internal brace Wednesday, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports. Analysis: Lopez previously underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in 2013, but he was able to avoid a full reconstructive procedure this time around. Though Lopez will miss the entire 2026 season, the Twins are hopeful that the UCL repair with an internal brace will expedite his recovery process and allow him to be ready to go for the start of the 2027 campaign. Paparesta noted that Lopez is scheduled to meet with his surgeon in five or six months, and if a follow-up MRI shows that the right-hander has healed as expected, he could be cleared to begin a throwing program.
Joe Ryan Joe Ryan Set to throw bullpen session Thu, Feb 26, 2026, 8:40 AM Ryan (back) will throw a bullpen session on Saturday before advancing to facing live hitters next week, Bobby Nightengale of the Minnesota Star Tribune reports. Analysis: Ryan had been scheduled to make his Grapefruit League debut this past Saturday before being scratched from the start due to a back issue. With an MRI revealing inflammation and no other damage to his back, Ryan wasn't shut down from throwing for more than a couple of days. He still should have plenty of time to get fully ramped up ahead of Opening Day, but his availability for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic is in question.
David Festa David Festa Shut down with shoulder issue Thu, Feb 26, 2026, 8:24 AM The Twins announced Thursday that Festa will be shut down for a couple of weeks due to a shoulder impingement, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports. Analysis: Festa has received an injection to address the injury, but even if it yields the desired effect, his availability for the start of the season could be in jeopardy. The Twins were already in the process of easing Festa along during spring training after he dealt with a compressed nerve near his pitching shoulder last season, as he had only recently started to face hitters in live batting practice. On a positive note, Festa's shoulder impingement is considered unrelated to the previous injury.
Joe Ryan Joe Ryan Throwing after MRI Tue, Feb 24, 2026, 4:33 PM Ryan (back) played catch from 90 feet Tuesday, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports. Analysis: Ryan experienced lower back tightness Saturday and underwent an MRI the next day that revealed just inflammation. It still remains unknown when Ryan will take the mound in spring training, but the setback isn't keeping him from using his arm.
Julian Merryweather Julian Merryweather Exits with strained hamstring Tue, Feb 24, 2026, 2:14 PM Merryweather was removed from Tuesday's Grapefruit League appearance against the Rays with a left hamstring strain, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports. Analysis: Merryweather walked the first batter he saw in the third inning and then struck out the next hitter before being pulled. That the Twins are already calling the injury a strain suggests he could be out a while. Merryweather is in Twins camp as a non-roster invitee.
Connor Prielipp Connor Prielipp Likely to remain a starter Tue, Feb 24, 2026, 8:53 AM Prielipp threw 1.2 scoreless innings with two strikeouts and three walks in his spring debut Monday. He's likely to remain a starter at Triple-A to start the season, considering the Twins signed three veteran left-handed relievers in the offseason, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Analysis: He's a darkhorse candidate for the bullpen this spring given his arsenal, which includes a fastball that hit 97.5 mph during Monday's outing and a new slow curveball, according to Matthew Leach of MLB.com, to add to an off-speed mix that includes a slider and changeup. The 48th overall draft pick in 2022 had Tommy John surgery in 2021 and then needed internal brace surgery on the same elbow in July 2023. The Twins limited him to pitching less than five innings in any start last season until late September.
Mick Abel Mick Abel Shines in spring debut Tue, Feb 24, 2026, 8:36 AM Abel threw three scoreless innings with five strikeouts and no walks in his spring debut Monday against Detroit. He reached 97 mph with his fastball during the outing, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Analysis: Abel is competing for one of three open spots in the Minnesota rotation with Pablo Lopez out for the season after Tommy John surgery. Abel has not lived up to his No. 15 overall draft pick selection in 2020, as before last season he had unimpressive ERAs and troubling walk rates (4.76 ERA the previous two seasons in Triple-A and Double-A with Philly). He did have a 2.20 ERA and 10.4 K/9 at Triple-A in 2025 but struggled with a 6.46 ERA in the majors. A high walk rate (6.5 BB/9 in the majors last season) has been a problem, so it was a good sign he didn't issue any free passes Monday.
Liam Hendriks Liam Hendriks Throws live batting practice Mon, Feb 23, 2026, 11:02 AM Hendriks (elbow) threw a live batting practice session Monday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Hendriks underwent right elbow ulnar nerve transposition with posterior interosseous nerve release surgery last September, and this appears to be the first time he's faced hitters since that operation. The 37-year-old made only 14 appearances for the Red Sox in 2025, collecting a 6.59 ERA and 12:7 K:BB over 13.2 innings. Hendriks is in Twins camp as a non-roster invitee, but if he looks sharp this spring he could push for a leveraged bullpen role.
Alan Roden Alan Roden Delivers grand slam Sun, Feb 22, 2026, 6:32 PM Roden went 2-for-3 with a grand slam during Sunday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta. Analysis: Roden put his team in front during the top of the fifth inning by smacking a grand slam. It was evident he was seeing the ball well at the dish throughout the day, as he lined out to third base and singled to center in his other two at-bats. Roden's lack of power was a concern during his rookie campaign, so Sunday's showing is a promising start to the spring for the Creighton product.