Minnesota Twins DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa (heel) has progressed to hitting overhand batting practice as of Wednesday. The hope is that he will progress to jogging by Thursday, assuming there is improvement in the soreness in the heel. Correa was placed on the 10-day injured on July 20 as the Twins began the second half of the season, receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection in his right heel. He's experiencing plantar fasciitis in the opposite foot from the lingering issue that plagued him throughout the 2023 season, but that doesn't change the fact that Minnesota is likely to proceed with caution with their 29-year-old star shortstop. Before hitting the shelf, Correa was slashing a robust .308/.377/.520 with 13 home runs, 16 doubles, 47 RBI and 51 runs scored in 279 at-bats (75 games) and needs to be stashed in all fantasy leagues while utility man Willi Castro holds down the fort at short.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Pablo Lopez put together a quality outing on the mound during Wednesday's win over the New York Mets. Lopez took some damage early on as he allowed a two-run home run to Mark Vientos in the second inning. After that, though, Lopez threw four scoreless innings with seven total strikeouts in the victory. The home run ball has been a problem for Lopez this season, but the 28-year-old has been solid outside of that. He'll take a 4.65 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 142/28 K/BB into his next start against the Chicago Cubs in a favorable matchup for fantasy managers.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (head) was removed from Wednesday's win over the hosting New York Mets early with a head injury after he was hit in the helmet by catcher Francisco Alvarez's throw to second base at the end of the fourth inning. Kepler departed the contest an inning later. Before leaving, the 31-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder went 1-for-3 at the plate with an RBI, a run scored and a strikeout in the eventual 8-3 victory. He was replaced in right field by Manuel Margot, who would be in line for increased playing time if Kepler's injury forces him to the injured list. Kepler is surely being checked for a concussion, but it remains to be seen if he'll be ready to play on Friday for a series opener against the division-rival Chicago White Sox after an off day on Thursday. He's produced minimal counting stats in 2024 with a six homers, 35 RBI and 37 runs in 280 at-bats.

The Minnesota Twins are acquiring right-handed reliever Trevor Richards from the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday, according to sources. It's unclear what the return is for Richards. It's a minor move for bullpen depth for Minnesota as they look to stay in the American League wild-card race down the stretch. Richards has gone 2-1 this year in Toronto with a 4.64 ERA (4.40 FIP) and a 1.15 WHIP with 49 strikeouts and 24 walks in 52 1/3 innings pitched over 45 appearances (two starts). The 31-year-old has essentially been an innings-eater out of the bullpen for the Blue Jays the last two years. Richards has seen his strikeout rate drop from over 30% last year to 22.5% this year while continuing to walk a hefty amount of hitters. Richards is only attractive in fantasy in deep holds leagues.

The Minnesota Twins welcome back third baseman Jose Miranda (head), who will bat cleanup in Tuesday's game against the New York Mets and left-hander Sean Manaea. Miranda was hit in the head with a 95 mph fastball in Sunday's win over the Detroit Tigers and was able to pass preliminary concussion tests. He is batting .324/.367/.517 with nine homers, 43 RBI, 35 runs scored, and two stolen bases in three attempts. Given the way that Miranda has swung the bat this month, fantasy managers need to get him back in their starting lineups now that he's back.