Minnesota Twins DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis has a "severe" quad strain that is going to keep him out long-term. Twins president of baseball operations David Falvey told the media Lewis will require one month of pure recovery before the club will even have an idea of how much additional time he will need before building back up to playing. This was always the risk for fantasy managers this spring as the oft-injured Lewis has appeared in just 71 MLB games since being drafted first overall back in 2017. He tantalized with 15 home runs and a .920 OPS in just 58 games in 2023, leaving managers with a serious risk/reward scenario in drafts this spring. Those who drafted Lewis at his 48.83 ADP are losing that bet just one game into the season.

The Minnesota Twins are calling up prospect Austin Martin on Saturday from Triple-A St. Paul in a corresponding move with third baseman Royce Lewis (quadriceps) landing on the injured list. Martin is the team's No. 15 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and he'll be making his major-league debut when he gets into a game. The 25-year-old won't necessarily take over at the hot corner for Lewis, but he can provide the Twins with infield depth while also having the ability to fill in in the outfield. The former fifth overall pick of the Toronto Blue Jays in 2020 out of Vanderbilt hit .260/.381/.398 with seven home runs, 30 RBI and 19 steals in three minor-league stops last year. So far, he hasn't lived up to his first-round hype due to injuries and a lack of power.

The Minnesota Twins are placing third baseman Royce Lewis (quadriceps) on the injured list on Saturday after injuring his quadriceps on Opening Day on Thursday against the Kansas City Royals. We don't quite know the exact severity of Lewis' injury after he was scheduled to undergo an MRI exam, but it's obviously serious enough to keep him on the shelf for at least the next 10 days. The oft-injured 24-year-old slugger is one of the team's best hitters, but he's had trouble staying healthy in his career so far. The former first overall pick in 2017 had two hits in his only two at-bats on Thursday, including a home run, before being pulled from the game. He should be stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues, but hopefully he'll be ready to return from his IL stint when he's eligible.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Pablo Lopez threw seven one-run innings in a 4-1 win over the Kansas City Royals. Lopez was brilliant in this one, allowing just four hits while striking out seven and walking none. The only damage against him was a leadoff homer from Maikel Garcia, after which he was nearly perfect. This is just another reminder that you have to take Spring Training numbers with a grain of salt, as Lopez had a pretty brutal spring with a 7.07 ERA and 1.36 WHIP. He should be a fantasy ace as long as he can remain healthy.

Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said that outfielder Max Kepler (leg) had X-rays come back negative on his injured leg. Kepler left Thursday's Opening Day contest early against the Kansas City Royals after fouling a ball off his leg, but the team will see how he's moving around after an off day on Friday. Fantasy managers will have to check back on Saturday to see if the 31-year-old left-handed hitter will be available to face KC following the off day. If Kepler misses any time this weekend, Matt Wallner would likely get a start in right field. Before leaving the game early on Thursday, Kepler had a rough day at the plate to kick off the 2024 season, going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.