Minnesota Twins DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

Minnesota Twins outfielder Trevor Larnach (toe) is starting his minor-league rehab assignment on Thursday night with Single-A Fort Myers. Larnach is working his way back after being placed on the Triple-A injured list on March 29 due to turf toe. If the 27-year-old outfielder doesn't suffer any setbacks with his toe while with Fort Myers, he'll be returned to Triple-A St. Paul in short order. The former 20th overall pick in 2018 out of Oregon State has yet to stick at the major-league level, hitting .222/.315/.385 with 20 home runs and 86 RBI in 188 games played in parts of the last three seasons. Nothing about his defense in the outfield stands out, and although he has drawn plenty of walks, he's failed to make enough consistent contact at the plate to play regularly for the Twins. A platoon role will be likely if he's back with the Twins in 2024.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Pablo Lopez is off to a nice start this year, and he'll have a good chance to build on his early-season success during Thursday's start on the road against the division-rival Detroit Tigers. Lopez may have given up 11 runs in 14 innings during spring training, but he takes a strong 2.84 ERA (3.07 FIP), 0.86 WHIP, and 9:1 K:BB over 12 2/3 regular-season frames into Thursday's outing. Across 13 innings (two starts) against Detroit last season, the 28-year-old Venezuelan right-hander compiled a 2.08 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and 18:1 K:BB. The current Tigers roster also combines for a career .199 xwOBA through 65 plate appearances versus Lopez, according to Statcast. Lopez is one of the top fantasy bets on Thursday's modest seven-game slate.

Minnesota Twins second baseman Edouard Julien put together a strong performance versus the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday. Julien blasted a leadoff home run to kick off the bottom of the first inning. He later homered again in the fifth inning to give the Twins a 3-2 lead. The score would hold as Julien provided most of the offense in this victory. Outside of this performance Julian has struggled this season, so hopefully this game will help him get back on track.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Louie Varland was hit hard in a loss against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday. The right-hander recorded five innings in the box score and allowed seven hits, six runs, three walks and struck out six on the evening. Other than the strikeouts, Varland didn't do much to help managers. Varland was a popular sleeper in the fantasy community entering 2024, but over two starts has allowed nine earned runs on 13 hits with five walks and 10 strikeouts. It is only two starts so managers might not want to panic drop the right-hander just yet. Varland will look to get back on track in a matchup versus the Detroit Tigers on Sunday.

Minnesota Twins closer Jhoan Duran (oblique) is itching to get back out there and said he's hoping to throw his first bullpen session on Friday. Duran was forced to open the 2024 regular season on the injured list with an oblique injury, but he's been throwing pain-free on flat ground and is getting close to throwing off a mound. Once he gets there, the 26-year-old might not need long before he's able to make his season debut for the Twins. Duran should be rostered in all fantasy baseball leagues and stashed in an IL spot in the meantime. The Dominican hurler will be the Twins' unquestioned closer when he's back after posting a 2.15 ERA, a 1.05 WHIP, 35 saves, 41 walks and 173 strikeouts in 130 innings in his first two big-league seasons.