Minnesota Twins DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton appears to be getting a day off on Monday against the visiting Chicago White Sox. Austin Martin will take over in center field for the Twins and will hit ninth in the batting order against White Sox rookie right-hander Jonathan Cannon. First baseman Alex Kirilloff will also head leadoff for this one. First baseman Carlos Santana will be the designated hitter. Buxton has so far stayed healthy in 2024, but he's hitting a lowly .217 (15-for-69) with no home runs, nine RBI and no stolen bases in 20 games played. There's still time for the 30-year-old to turns things around, but fantasy managers shouldn't expect frequent running on the base paths to be Buxton's thing anymore. Martin will be a low-upside DFS sleeper in the nine-hole on Monday.

Minnesota Twins first baseman Alex Kirilloff is leading off in Monday's game against the Chicago White Sox. With Edouard Julien struggling in the top spot, Kirilloff will move up in the order and lead off for the first time this season. The 26-year-old has been one of the team's better hitters this season, coming into Monday's contest with a .279 average and nine extra-base hits through 19 games. He also has a hit in four of the past five games and should give a Minnesota offense that has struggled on offense some boost atop the order. He is worth a look in most formats, especially if he continues to hit toward the top of the Twins' order.

Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa (intercostal) won't be ready to return from a right-intercostal strain when he's eligible to come off the injured list on Tuesday, but he's close to resuming baseball activities. According to head athletic trainer Nick Paparesta, "his symptoms are improving dramatically." The Twins are being somewhat cautious to avoid a months-long absence with Correa given the setback-prone nature of his injury. The 29-year-old landed on the IL on April 13 with a mild intercostal strain. While there currently isn't a timetable for a return, he looks to be on the mend and could return in early May. Willi Castro is serving as the team's primary shortstop for now. Correa will hope to pick up where he left off when he returns, as he's so far hit .306 (11-for-36) with a homer and four RBI in 2024.

Minnesota Twins right fielder Max Kepler (knee) is on the verge of returning to the Twins' lineup after spending the past two weeks on the injured list with a right-knee contusion. Kepler played in games with Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, collecting four hits and three walks. He could be activated from the injured list as soon as Monday. At least against right-handed pitching, the 31-year-old left-handed hitter should be a regular in Minnesota's starting lineup once he returns in right field. Kepler's return could mean less playing time for Trevor Larnach, although he could pick up at-bats as the team's designated hitter. Before his injury, Kepler had just one hit in his first 20 at-bats in 2024 with no home runs, RBI or runs scored for the Twins.

Minnesota Twins right-hander Louie Varland is a candidate to be removed from the team's starting rotation after going just 2 2/3 innings while giving up four runs in a loss to the Detroit Tigers on Sunday. The loss dropped Varland to 0-4 on the year with a 9.18 ERA. He was pushed into the team's rotation to begin the year due to Anthony DeSclafani's (elbow) injury, but he may not be around much longer. He's allowed six homers in just 16 2/3 innings. Manager Rocco Baldelli declined to commit to Varland taking his next scheduled turn through the rotation after Sunday's game. If the Twins do move Varland out of the rotation, Simeon Woods Richardson, who pitched well in a spot start against Detroit on April 13, is the most logical choice to take Varland's spot next weekend against the Los Angeles Angels.