Minnesota Twins DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

Minnesota Twins first baseman/second baseman Luke Keaschall was busy in his MLB debut on Friday evening. At the plate, he went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI, and a stolen base. He also scored a run. Keaschall would tally his RBI in the second frame on a single that scored catcher Ryan Jeffers. This was a promising debut for Keaschall, and this outing should keep him in the starting nine for the time being. Earlier in the season, Keaschall posted a strong .261/.379/.348 line across 14 games with Triple-A St. Paul. Keaschall would hit one double, one home run, and swiped four bags across this stint. Last season, the former second-round pick spent time with High-A and Double-A and held a cumulative .303/.420/.483 line. Fantasy managers in deeper formats should target Keaschall on the waiver wire this weekend.

The Minnesota Twins have designated right-handed pitcher Matt Canterino for assignment. This transaction opened a spot on the roster for infield prospect Luke Keaschall. Entering spring training, Canterino did not pitch in a minor league contest since the 2022 campaign due to Tommy John surgery. He was able to enter camp healthy but suffered a shoulder strain. Later in March, the Twins announced that he would undergo season-ending surgery. In 2022, Canterino was quite effective in Double-A, logging 34 1/3 innings to the tune of a stellar 1.83 ERA with a 1.14 WHIP. He struck out 50 batters and served up 22 free passes. While the Rice product has shown potential at times, he has been unable to stay on the mound over a full season for several years.

Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis (hamstring) is expected to do some light baserunning on Thursday, according to The Athletic's Aaron Gleeman. Lewis will attempt to do some running for the first time since suffering a strained left hamstring in the middle of March in spring training. The 25-year-old oft-injured third baseman still has no timetable for a return to make his 2025 season debut with the Twins, but it's good news that he's been able to take batting practice on the field and do defensive drills. He's developed a reputation as a slow healer, so the Twins aren't going to rush him back. Lewis deserves to be stashed in all fantasy formats for his high-end power, but we wouldn't be banking on him returning before early May. With Willi Castro (oblique) and Carlos Correa (wrist) getting injured this week, Brooks Lee has seen time at the hot corner and could continue to play regularly.

Minnesota Twins right-hander Pablo Lopez (hamstring), who threw a 31-pitch bullpen session on Wednesday, is scheduled to make a minor-league rehab start on Saturday for Triple-A St. Paul. Lopez is on the 15-day injured list currently with a right-hamstring injury but is quickly progressing and might be cleared to rejoin Minnesota's starting rotation if he can get through Saturday's rehab start without any issues. It's possible fantasy managers will be able to use Lopez for a great matchup next week against the division-rival Chicago White Sox. The 29-year-old Venezuelan hurler was off to a good start before his hamstring injury, allowing six runs (three earned) on 15 hits while walking two and striking out 14 in 16 2/3 innings over his three starts. Lopez should be stashed in all fantasy leagues.

The Minnesota Twins will be placing outfielder Matt Wallner (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list after he suffered a strained left hamstring in his first at-bat of Tuesday's game against the visiting New York Mets. It's unclear exactly who will be called up from the minors in a corresponding move. DaShawn Keirsey Jr. replaced Wallner in right field on Tuesday and also got the start there for Wednesdays 4-3 extra-inning win, going 1-for-4 with a strikeout. It's unclear if Wallner will have a shot to return from the IL when he's eligible, but until he does make it back, Keirsey figures to see a lot more playing time for the Twins in right field, making him worth a waiver-wire pickup in AL-only leagues. Wallner, a former first-rounder in 2019 out of the University of Southern Mississippi, was hitting .263/.373/.474 with an .847 OPS, a homer, five doubles, two triples and three RBI in 18 games before his injury.