Minnesota Twins DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Max Kepler (back) is starting in left field and batting third in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer's Scott Lauber. Kepler was removed from Sunday's spring training game due to a back injury after he crashed into the outfield wall, but he'll only end up missing one day. It means that the 32-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder will be ready to go for Opening Day next Thursday, March 27, versus the division-rival Washington Nationals on the road in D.C. In theory, Kepler should be more attractive as a depth outfielder in deep-mixed fantasy leagues in 2025 with the move to a more potent lineup in Philly, and he'll enter the season as the club's primary left fielder on the strong side of a platoon against right-handed pitchers. However, the German native is an injury risk and has played in over 150 games just once in 10 big-league seasons.

MLB.com's Todd Zolecki reports that Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Max Kepler (back) is dealing with a bruised lower back and doesn't currently have a timetable for a return. Kepler collided with the outfield wall in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Baltimore Orioles and had to leave the game. The 32-year-old veteran wasn't in the lineup on Monday and will apparently miss a bit more time at the tail end of camp. With Opening Day coming next Thursday, March 27, against the division-rival Washington Nationals, it's entirely possible that he'll have to open his first year in Philly on the injured list. When healthy, Kepler should be on the strong side of a platoon in left field, but he may need to pick it up offensively in order to keep that role. The injury-prone outfielder played in only 105 games in his final season with the Twins and hit .253 with eight home runs and 42 RBI.

Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis (hamstring) is confirmed to have suffered a "moderate" left hamstring strain and will miss Opening Day. Phil Miller of The Minnesota Star Tribune reported the news. Miller notes that the 25-year-old's timetable for return is uncertain for now. However, Lewis states that his hamstring injury is "not even close" to being as severe as the quad injury that forced him from two months of action in 2024. It's excellent news for the former first-overall pick, who was limited to just 140 games over the previous two seasons due to the quad injury and an adductor strain he sustained last July. When Lewis will return remains to be determined. For now, fantasy managers may want to think twice about selecting him at his price, which currently sits inside the top 130 of drafts.

The Minnesota Twins have optioned right-handed pitcher Zebby Matthews to Triple-A St. Paul. Matthews was competing for a spot during spring training but fell short. He will begin his 2025 campaign with the St. Paul Saints. In spring training, the right-hander was one of the most dominant pitchers as he tossed nine 1/3 shutout innings. He allowed just four hits and held a near-perfect 1:12 BB:K ratio. The Western Carolina product made his MLB debut last season and struggled over his brief stint as he held a 6.69 ERA with a 1.65 WHIP across 37 2/3 innings. The right-hander held a strong 2.60 ERA with a stellar 0.87 WHIP across 97 innings split between High, Double, and Triple-A before reaching the majors. Fantasy managers should expect Matthews to be the first name called when the Twins need additional depth in their rotation.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher David Festa was sent to Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday. The young right-hander was competing for the final spot in the rotation but fell short. As a result, he will open the season at the top level of the minor leagues. Last summer, Festa made his MLB debut and logged 64 1/3 innings to the tune of a 4.90 ERA with a 1.32 WHIP. He tallied 77 strikeouts and served up 23 free passes. He generated a modest 4.14 xERA and a .240 xBA. During spring training, he held a high 11.91 ERA with a 1.94 WHIP across 11 1/3 innings of work. Festa flashed impressive strikeout upside at Triple-A last season as he tallied 89 punchouts across 60 1/3 innings of work. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progress at Triple-A as he should contend for an early return. With Festa opening the season at Triple-A, Chris Paddack and Simeon Woods Richardson will operate as the No. 4 and No. 5 starters.