Minnesota Twins DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

Minnesota Twins right-hander Bailey Ober (illness) allowed eight earned runs in just 2 2/3 innings in his first start of the year on Sunday against the St. Louis Cardinals. Ober struggled through diminished velocity and poor command on Sunday and in spring training, but he revealed after his poor start on Sunday that he has been battling an illness. The 29-year-old's fastball averaged 91.7 mph last year, but it fell to 89.9 mph during spring training and was only slightly better on Sunday. He threw only 33 of his 77 pitches for strikes and got only four whiffs on 28 swings while also walking three. Manager Rocco Baldelli noted the coaching staff came close to skipping or pushing Ober's start back. His next scheduled start will be on Saturday at home against the Houston Astros, giving him extra time to get healthy. Fantasy managers will be hoping Ober can bounce back after a rough first start, which is what he did in 2024.

Minnesota Twins outfield prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI during their victory over Indianapolis on Friday evening. In the opening frame, Rodriguez would tally his first hit of the evening, which was a single. In the third, Rodriguez would tally a two-run double, which scored Ryan Fitzgerald and Austin Martin. Later in the sixth, he would reach first via a walk and cap off his evening with another single in the seventh. The 22-year-old is considered the No. 2 prospect in the system on MLB.com, only behind budding superstar Walker Jenkins. Last summer, Rodriguez spent most of his time at Double-A and only received a brief look at Triple-A. If he continues to produce at Triple-A, the 22-year-old should be in the mix for an MLB debut in the second half of the season.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher David Festa tossed five shutout innings in his first Triple-A start of the campaign. He allowed just three hits and tallied four punchouts. Festa was competing for a spot in the Opening Day rotation but fell short. In spring training, Festa struggled as he posted a high 11.91 ERA with a 1.94 WHIP across 11 1/3 innings of work. However, the Seton Hall product was able to get himself back on track on Friday evening. Fantasy managers in deeper formats should continue to monitor his status at Triple-A, as he could eventually work his way back to the major leagues. He made his MLB debut last summer and posted a 4.90 ERA with a 1.32 WHIP. Across 60 1/3 innings with Triple-A St. Paul last summer, Festa held a 4.03 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. For now, Simeon Woods Richardson will operate as the No. 5 starter in Minnesota.

Minnesota Twins right-handed reliever Randy Dobnak will take the open spot in the team's bullpen and will be on the Opening Day roster for Thursday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals on the road, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune's Bobby Nightengale. Dobnak was initially sent to the minors in camp, but injuries to Brock Stewart (hamstring) and Michael Tonkin (shoulder) have opened up a spot for the 30-year-old veteran in the big-league bullpen to open the year. In his fourth year with the Twins in 2024, Dobnak held a 5.59 ERA (4.61 FIP) and 1.65 WHIP with seven strikeouts and five walks in only 9 2/3 relief innings at the big-league level. A finger injury that required surgery derailed his career, and he didn't pitch in the majors at all in 2022 or 2023. Dobnak will need to improve his control if he wants to stick around once Stewart and Tonkin come off the injured list.

Minnesota Twins outfielder DaShawn Keirsey Jr. has been informed that he has made the team's Opening Day roster. Keirsey beats out former first-rounder Austin Martin for the team's last outfield spot to open the regular season. The 27-year-old former fourth-rounder in 2018 out of the University of Utah made his MLB debut in 2024 but went only 2-for-13 with a homer and RBI in six games for Minnesota. He hit .275 with a home run and three stolen bases in Grapefruit League action and can play all three outfield spots. However, barring injuries, Keirsey isn't going to see much playing time for the Twins and can be ignored in all mixed fantasy leagues in 2025. Like Martin, speed is Keirsey's best asset, but playing time will be difficult to come by, and he doesn't feature much power.