Chris Paddack DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Chris Paddack (head) exited Saturday's spring training contest early with a head contusion. Paddack was hit in the head by a deflected line drive. He did not suffer a concussion. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status but it appears that Paddack avoided a significant injury. The 29-year-old is currently one of the favorites to earn one of the final spots in the Minnesota rotation. Last summer, Paddack logged 88 1/3 innings of work to the tune of a 4.99 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP. He tallied 79 punchouts and held a strong 5.5 percent walk rate. However, he generated a high 4.84 xERA with a .272 xBA. If he does claim one of the final spots in the Minnesota rotation, he will have value as a streaming option in deeper leagues.

According to Bobby Nightengale of the Minnesota Star Tribune, Twins starting pitcher Chris Paddack is "seen as a part of the rotation." Paddack has battled injuries throughout the past three seasons but will enter spring training fully healthy. Given his current status, fantasy managers should expect the 29-year-old to be penciled in a rotation spot. Last summer, Paddack logged 88 1/3 innings in the majors and held a 4.99 ERA with a 1.39 WHIP. He dealt with a forearm strain late in the season and was nearing a return for the postseason. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status during spring training as his performance and status could dictate his place on the Opening Day roster. Last season, he generated strikeouts at a weak 20.6 percent rate but showed strong command with a 5.5 percent walk rate. If Paddack faces a setback or struggles, Minnesota's young arms like David Feta or Zebby Matthews could overtake his spot.

Minnesota Twins right-hander Chris Paddack (forearm) faced live hitters on Monday and plans to throw again on Thursday, with a decision point possibly coming after that this weekend as to whether the team will activate him from the 15-day injured list. The 28-year-old has been out since late July with a strained right forearm, though, so he would almost certainly return in a relief role for Minnesota at the tail end of the regular season. The Twins are currently on the outside looking in for a wild-card spot in the American League, so they have work to do this week if Paddack wants to pitch at all in the postseason. Before his injury earlier this year, Paddack was inconsistent as a starter for the Twins, posting a 4.99 ERA (4.18 FIP), a 1.39 WHIP and a 79:21 K:BB in his 17 starts covering 88 1/3 innings pitched. He also had a career-low 20.6% strikeout rate.