Minnesota Twins DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (hip) said even after his exit from a minor-league rehab game with Triple-A St. Paul last Wednesday, he has been running fine for the last few days and was able to get out and work on defense as well. Buxton is taking things day by day for now but is trying to get the pain in his hip to the point where he can play through it. The 30-year-old is trying to return from a right-hip injury that has kept him out since Aug. 12. At this point of the year with only a few weeks left in the regular season, the Twins priority is probably just to get Buxton healthy in time for a potential playoff run in October. The former first-rounder has played in over 100 games just once in a season since he debuted in 2015 due to various injuries and isn't guaranteed to return before the end of the regular season. Willi Castro has been filling in at center field of late but missed Monday's game due to illness.

Minnesota Twins infielder/outfielder Willi Castro (illness) left Monday night's game early against the Los Angeles Angels at Target Field due to an undisclosed illness. Michael Helman replaced Castro in center field before he even saw his first at-bat of the game in the seven-hole. Fantasy managers can probably consider Castro day-to-day this week and should check back in to see if he's feeling good enough to return on Tuesday for the second game of the series. The 27-year-old utility man should continue seeing regular starts in center field until Byron Buxton (hip) returns from the injured list. The switch-hitting Castro made his first All-Star appearance this summer and has provided a career-high 11 home runs while also driving in 52 and stealing 13 bases in 141 games for the Twins in 2024. Castro could use a day off, as he has just one hit in 21 at-bats with two walks and eight K's in seven games in September.

Minnesota Twins first baseman Carlos Santana (illness) is back in the starting lineup ahead of Monday's game against the Los Angeles Angels. The veteran switch-hitter sat out of Sunday's game due to a minor illness. Santana will cover first base and bat leadoff against left-hander Reid Detmers on Monday. The Twins have been having Santana bat leadoff against lefty starters lately, so we'll see if that ends up being a long term solution. The 38-year-old hasn't been great with the bat, but his 20 home runs gives him some fantasy value.

Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa (foot) is "very encouraged" after sprinting three of the last four days. Correa started a new treatment five days ago. He's not getting ahead of himself right now, but it's also the best he's felt in a long time as he tries to recover from plantar fasciitis in his right foot. It's good news for the 29-year-old, but there is very little time left for him to do anything for fantasy managers still in the mix for a title. Given all the time that Correa has missed (he's been out since July), it's likely he'll need some kind of a rehab assignment, although the minor-league will also be over soon. Until Correa is able to return, infield prospect Brooks Lee should continue to see regular playing time at the 6 in Minnesota. Foot issues have become a problem for Correa, but he was also hitting an impressive .308/.377/.520 with an .896 OPS, 13 homers and 47 RBI this year before his injury.

Minnesota Twins infielder/outfielder Willi Castro is absent from the starting lineup ahead of Friday's game against the Kansas City Royals. The injuries have piled up in Minnesota which has pushed Castro into basically an everyday role. He's hitting .248 with 11 home runs, 52 RBI, and 13 stolen bases in 139 games. The first-time All-Star has been in a slump at the plate lately with only two hits in his last seven games. Hopefully a day off will help Castro get back on track at the plate. Austin Martin will cover center field and bat sixth while Kyle Farmer bats fifth against left-hander Cole Ragans. Neither player brings much to the plate right now, but Martin is the better streaming option between the two. He's hitting .250 with 16 RBI, and seven stolen bases in 87 games this season.