Minnesota Twins DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

Minnesota Twins outfielder Trevor Larnach will rest on Monday against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies with left-hander Ranger Suarez on the mound. In addition to Larnach, Matt Wallner and Edouard Julien will hit the bench. Jair Camargo is serving as the designated hitter and batting seventh, Manuel Margot is in left field and hitting leadoff, and rookie Brooks Lee is manning the keystone and batting sixth against Suarez for the series opener. The lefty-hitting Larnach has faced left-handers only eight times this year, so it shouldn't be a surprise that he's not starting on Monday. Against righties, he's hit .247 (48-for-194) with all 10 of his home runs and all but one of his RBI on the year. Margot has hit .289 (26-for-90) against southpaws in 2024 and is more attractive as a DFS sleeper in the leadoff spot, but he's added just three homers and four steals on the season.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton has been hitting everything that comes his way lately. On Sunday, Buxton went 2-for-5 with two solo home runs in the loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. Fantasy managers that stuck with Buxton are finally being rewarded for their patience. Buxton is slashing .364/.413/.700 over his last month of games. He has earned himself a slot in the three-hole in the lineup, which might stay that way. Who knows how long it will last, but fantasy managers should continue riding out this hot stretch with Buxton.

Minnesota Twins infielder Jose Miranda (back) won't be activated off the injured list on Sunday. The organization was hopeful it would be a minimal stay on the IL for Miranda but that's not the case. Manager Rocco Baldelli said Miranda has shown good improvement but Miranda isn't quite ready to play yet. There is a chance that Miranda does return to the lineup without needing a rehab assignment. Fantasy managers will have to wait and see how Miranda feels over the next few days.

Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis (groin), who has been out since July 2 with a strained right groin, resumed running and hitting during the All-Star break this week and took pre-game batting practice before Saturday's series opener against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers. Lewis is on track to start a short minor-league rehab assignment next week. "If it was the playoffs, or if they'd let me, I'd definitely be out there," Lewis said. "I feel that good. I'm ready to go whenever. I'm just waiting for approval, and I think they're doing what's best." The oft-injured 25-year-old could come off the 10-day injured list by the end of next week, barring any setbacks, and needs to be rostered everywhere. The former first overall pick in 2017 is nearly hitting .300 in 24 games for the Twins this year and already has 10 home runs in just 99 plate appearances.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Chris Paddack (forearm) was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right forearm strain. This is the second time the 28-year-old has missed time due to an injury in his throwing arm this season as he battled right-arm fatigue in May. While a timetable has not been placed on Paddack, fantasy managers could expect him sidelined for an extended period of time. Paddack has held a 4.99 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and a 21:79 BB:K ratio across 88 innings this season. The Twins could promote prospect David Festa back up to the big leagues, as he was called upon when Paddack hit the injured list earlier this summer. In addition, prospect Zebby Matthews could earn the promotion as he was recently moved up to Triple-A and has been one of the best pitchers in the minor leagues this season.