Willi Castro DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

The Minnesota Twins announced on Monday that they have reinstated utility man Willi Castro (oblique) from the 10-day injured list and optioned infielder Edouard Julien to Triple-A St. Paul in a corresponding move. Castro didn't require a minor-league rehab assignment and should be back in the team's starting lineup for Tuesday's series opener against the Baltimore Orioles. The 28-year-old Puerto Rican switch-hitter suffered a mild oblique strain in the middle of April. With Julien headed down to the farm, fantasy managers should expect Castro to play mostly every day at the keystone will also bouncing around wherever needed on the diamond. He'll return to a .227/.292/.364 slash line with a .655 OPS, one home runs, five RBI, seven runs scored and a stolen base. Castro doesn't stand out for power or speed and will be a modest counting-stats contributor, but he's incredibly useful for his positional versatility.

Minnesota Twins utility man Willi Castro (oblique), who is on the 10-day injured list with a right-oblique strain, continues to perform most baseball activities, including hitting from the right side. Castro will hit from the left side on Tuesday, which should give the team a better idea of whether he could return from the IL in time for the series opener against the Boston Red Sox on Friday. The 28-year-old is eligible to come off the IL on Thursday, but it remains to be seen if that will actually happen without Castro going on a short minor-league rehab assignment. The Puerto Rican switch-hitter was mostly playing third base at the time of his injury with Royce Lewis (hamstring) on the shelf, but when he returns, he could bounce around between the infield and outfield. Castro will be returning to a .227/.292/.364 slash line with just one homer, five RBI, a steal and seven runs scored in his 66 at-bats.

Minnesota Twins infielder/outfielder Willi Castro (oblique) is on the 10-day injured list with a right oblique strain. In a corresponding move, the Twins promoted Mickey Gasper from Triple-A St. Paul. Castro has been held out of the lineup since suffering this injury on April 16. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as this injury could keep Castro sidelined for an extended period. While he remains out, fantasy managers should expect prospect Luke Keaschall to continue to see time at second base and Brooks Lee to see time at the hot corner. Through the first 18 games of the campaign, Castro has held a .227/.292/.364 line with six doubles, one home run, and one stolen base. He is worth holding on an IR spot in deeper formats given his positional flexibility.