Jeremy Zoll Provides Encouraging Twins Injury Report, but One Surprise Emerges

[Cody Christie]

This winter, the Minnesota Twins need to address their roster, evaluate their financial commitments and determine how quickly their young players can contribute. Before tackling those decisions, the front office also needs to get a better picture of the health of several important players.

Twins general manager Jeremy Zoll provided some answers Tuesday during a media session at the annual General Managers Meetings in Las Vegas. He discussed the recovery progress of seven players, including some encouraging developments involving the team's top contributors. While most of the news pointed toward players being available for spring training, Trevor Larnach's situation took an unexpected turn. Here's a closer look at what Minnesota learned about its injured players.

Larnach Faces Wrist Procedure

The biggest surprise involved Larnach, who will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left wrist Friday, November 13. The outfielder dealt with the wrist problem late in the 2026 season, eventually landing on the injured list. The hope was that he could avoid surgery and work through the issue during the offseason. Unfortunately, symptoms returned when he started increasing his offseason activity.

The procedure will allow doctors to address the lingering problem, and the Twins do not anticipate it creating a significant setback. Zoll indicated that Larnach should still be ready for the beginning of spring training and the 2027 regular season. Minnesota needs Larnach to remain a productive part of its outfield plans, barring a trade (which becomes less likely, in light of this news). Getting the wrist completely healthy is an important first step toward making that happen.

Buxton and Jenkins Target Spring Training

Two of the organization's most important position players also appear to be on schedule. Byron Buxton is recovering from surgery to address a right hip impingement. The injury bothered him throughout much of the 2026 campaign, particularly during the second half. Zoll reported that Buxton is feeling great and has not experienced any problems with his recovery.

Buxton is gradually returning to a normal offseason lower-body workout routine. His next important checkpoint comes December 21, when he is scheduled for a follow-up examination with his doctors. Following that appointment, the hope is that he will receive clearance to resume baseball activities. 

At the time of his surgery, there were some timelines that pointed to Buxton potentially missing Opening Day. However, the potential lockout impacts all of these injury returns. Minnesota has every reason to be cautious with Buxton's workload. His ability to remain on the field could have an enormous impact on the team's 2027 outlook, especially given his importance to the lineup and center-field defense.

Walker Jenkins is another player who appears positioned to participate fully when spring training begins. The highly regarded outfielder underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow approximately six weeks ago. The procedure was intended to address recurring discomfort that had bothered Jenkins for an extended period. Zoll described his recovery as progressing well and expects him to be a full participant when the Twins report to camp.

Jenkins remains a major part of Minnesota's long-term plans. Getting him healthy and comfortable heading into his first full big-league season should be a priority for the organization.

Positive Developments for the Starting Pitching Staff

Pablo López remains one of the most important players to monitor as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery. The right-hander is approaching another significant milestone in his rehabilitation. López is nearly finished with the long-toss and flat-ground portions of his throwing progression. He is expected to begin throwing off a mound next week, with his first bullpen session potentially coming around November 20.

Zoll indicated that López remains on the schedule established for his recovery. The current expectation is that he will be ready for the beginning of the 2027 season. That would be a major development for a Minnesota rotation that missed López for the entire 2026 campaign. His return would give the Twins an experienced arm at the top of the rotation, although the organization will need to be careful with his workload.

Zebby Matthews also received encouraging news. After finishing the season with an elbow strain, the young right-hander received a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection. His recovery has progressed well, and he could resume throwing within the next week or two. Matthews should be able to follow a relatively normal offseason schedule, with his more structured buildup toward the upcoming season beginning around January 1. Getting him through a healthy spring would give Minnesota another potential rotation option.

Bullpen Arms Making Progress

The Twins also received favorable reports on two relievers who missed significant portions of the 2026 season. Cole Sands has experienced no complications following his late-season elbow procedure. His recovery has gone according to plan, and Zoll indicated that the right-hander should be able to complete a normal offseason training program without restrictions.

Sands has plenty of work to make up for, after elbow problems cost him nearly the entire season. Having a healthy offseason would put him in a much better position to compete for a bullpen role when camp opens.

Jeff Hoffman is also progressing toward a return. The veteran reliever underwent a procedure on his right elbow approximately two weeks before Zoll's media availability. His recovery is moving in the right direction, and the Twins expect him to be available for Spring Training. Hoffman is currently projected to begin throwing off a mound around the middle of January. That gives him several weeks to build up his arm before the regular season begins.

Minnesota's bullpen struggled throughout much of 2026, making a healthy Hoffman an important piece of the projected relief corps. The Twins will need more reliable innings from their bullpen next season, and getting Hoffman back would help address that need.

Looking Ahead

Overall, the Twins received more encouraging injury news than unexpected setbacks. López is approaching mound work, Buxton is progressing toward baseball activities, and Jenkins appears likely to be ready for Spring Training. Minnesota also expects Hoffman, Sands, and Matthews to have opportunities to build toward the upcoming season without major restrictions. Larnach's wrist surgery was the one unexpected development, but the organization does not believe it will affect his availability for the 2027 campaign.

There are still several months between these updates and Opening Day. Injuries can create unexpected complications, and the Twins will need to monitor each player's progress throughout the winter. However, Zoll's latest comments provide some optimism that Minnesota could enter Spring Training with several important pieces returning to the field.

After a season in which injuries impacted nearly every part of the roster, getting some of these players back could be just as important as adding outside talent this offseason.

---

What stands out about the injury updates? Leave a comment and start the discussion. 

Image courtesy of © Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

View full article

[Dawgzilla]

This just in:  All players mentioned are questionable for the upcoming season with lower, middle, and upper body injuries, not to mention some feelings being hurt....oh and their pocketbooks!  😉

[Parfigliano]

Good news I guess.

[D.C Twins]

"Minnesota needs Larnach to remain a productive part of its outfield"

Huh?  Disagree

[Cory Engelhardt]

Yeah, I know he is still contractually a Twin, but something really went wrong roster-building wise if Larnach is on the team opening day. 

[Linus]

Festa?

[tony&rodney]

The two surprising parts from this article are Larnach being an important part of the team. As a pure DH, that pinches the outfielders into 3 lineup spots for Buxton, Keaschall, Jenkins, Rodriguez and Roden. The omission of any talk or update on David Festa is curious, if not alarming.

[bjorks]

2 hours ago, Dawgzilla said:

This just in:  All players mentioned are questionable for the upcoming season with lower, middle, and upper body injuries, not to mention some feelings being hurt....oh and their pocketbooks!  😉

You forgot bilateral leg weakness

[SE23]

Non-tender Larnach ASAP

[Dawgzilla]

31 minutes ago, bjorks said:

You forgot bilateral leg weakness

Actually, that is construed with lower body issue.  

 

I almost forgot one more condition:  Many need "rest days", which will be 2/3 of a season, for each player, under the new Players Association pending agreement, obviously with increased pension and salaries (gotta be able to feed families and pay for expenses of multiple million dollar homes on both coasts...and in Paris, London and Dubai)!

[Blyleven2011]

3 hours ago, Linus said:

Festa?

Festa and nothing has been said about canterino in a very long time , I’ve never seen anything that we released him …

I could have missed the report , anyone know anything about canterino ???

[Peter Gravett]

3 hours ago, Linus said:

Festa?

If Festa gets cleared of the TOS, the bullpen potential for him is huge...

[Peter Gravett]

3 hours ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

Yeah, I know he is still contractually a Twin, but something really went wrong roster-building wise if Larnach is on the team opening day. 

One final vestige of the late Falvey era... Get value back, even if if it's adding LHBs to an outfield full of LHBs. 

[Peter Gravett]

26 minutes ago, Peter Gravett said:

One final vestige of the late Falvey era... Get value back, even if if it's adding LHBs to an outfield full of LHBs. 

As Herb Brooks said, " Im not looking for the best players, I'm looking for the right players ". A batters handedness (word?), splits and ability to defend matters...a lot.

.

[djvang]

The sooner Buxton gets back.........the sooner he gets injured again.

[soyouresayingtheresachance]

Hopefully Larnach and Sands can finish their rehab on a different roster. 

Glad to see everyone is progressing well and should be ready for spring training. 

Still need a good update on Festa. It would be tough if the TOS ends his career. He has some serious potential, even if it ends up coming from the BP. 

[Whitey333]

Interesting yet strange article.  Although i like Larnach he certainly isnt a core piece to the outfield.  I dont expect him back. Counting on Buxton (whos that again) being any part of this core is ludicrous.   His ability to stay on the injured list for long sessions in 10 of his 12 years is astounding.  He has caused many roster disruptions in his career.  Having him being a cornerstone also question the Twins roster decisions.

[arby58]

Any word on Abel?

[terrydactyls]

Why did the Twins delay Larnach's surgery until it made being available for opening day (or for a trade) questionable?  Because it may miraculously heal by itself?  Bad move, boys.

[killercarewoliva]

13 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

The two surprising parts from this article are Larnach being an important part of the team. As a pure DH, that pinches the outfielders into 3 lineup spots for Buxton, Keaschall, Jenkins, Rodriguez and Roden. The omission of any talk or update on David Festa is curious, if not alarming.

Abel I think that's even more alarming. no talk on him.

[djvang]

1 hour ago, Whitey333 said:

 Counting on Buxton (whos that again) being any part of this core is ludicrous.   His ability to stay on the injured list for long sessions in 10 of his 12 years is astounding.  He has caused many roster disruptions in his career.  Having him being a cornerstone also question the Twins roster decisions.

Thanks for stating what is obvious but what so many people refuse to acknowledge. It's too bad someone with his talent has such a fragile body. He can't be counted on.

[AceWrigley]

17 minutes ago, terrydactyls said:

Why did the Twins delay Larnach's surgery until it made being available for opening day (or for a trade) questionable?  Because it may miraculously heal by itself?  Bad move, boys.

Because they were pursuing treatment and therapy first and chose surgery after the return of discomfort when increased activity revealed continued irritation.

[terrydactyls]

16 minutes ago, AceWrigley said:

Because they were pursuing treatment and therapy first and chose surgery after the return of discomfort when increased activity revealed continued irritation.

And also prevents him from being traded until after the 2027 season finally gets going.  Between not trading Ryan and Jeffers at the trade deadline and delaying Larnach's surgery, the Twins missed out on three opportunities to obtain assets that might fill holes in the lineup.

[Woof Bronzer]

16 hours ago, D.C Twins said:

"Minnesota needs Larnach to remain a productive part of its outfield"

Huh?  Disagree

Yeah which younger, higher ceiling player does the author want him taking at bats from?

[jmlease1]

13 hours ago, Blyleven2011 said:

Festa and nothing has been said about canterino in a very long time , I’ve never seen anything that we released him …

I could have missed the report , anyone know anything about canterino ???

Festa and Canterino are non-entities for the 2027 MN Twins. I'd love it if either came back and could be a factor and I'm rooting for both of them to come out the other side of their injury hell...but they simply cannot be a factor in any consideration of a roster for 2027 as anything other than a bonus down the road if/when they ever throw again. You can figure out what to do with them if they ever take the field again, not before. I wish them luck.

Larnach should be a non-tender candidate. I expect he'll recover from the wrist injury just fine, but he's the kind of player we can't plug in and expect to improve. He's a solid enough hitter against RHP, but he can't hit LHP, isn't very good in the field, adds nothing on the bases and is getting more expensive. Odds are very good that Roden can give you similar production at the plate while also being a better fielder, runner, and with more positional flexibility (which has more value as a bench bat) and at a fraction of the price. The only thing Larnach gives you more of is certainty; he's a more proven player and you pretty well know what you're going to get. That's not nothing...but it's not enough when you have Jenkins and Rodriguez ready to play. Pushing Jenkins back to AAA at the start of the season in order to give Larnach one more chance seems like a good way to not improve. This is the sort of move Tampa never makes.

[AceWrigley]

1 hour ago, terrydactyls said:

And also prevents him from being traded until after the 2027 season finally gets going.  Between not trading Ryan and Jeffers at the trade deadline and delaying Larnach's surgery, the Twins missed out on three opportunities to obtain assets that might fill holes in the lineup.

It's possible Larnach's wrist issue was the deal killer in the Bryan Abreu trade. If Larnach's recovery goes well, moving him during spring training shouldn't be an issue. Agreed the Twins missed out big time at the trade deadline as it seemed moving expiring assets would have been the prudent thing to do and didn't have to signal giving up on the current season.

[Stew]

Abel? Not mentioned. I like larnach, but there's no room for him. He also didn't provide much in the way of power. If we wanted a single and doubles hitter. We could get back our batting champ that we traded. Larnach is still worth being with the team for spring training. He could stay healthy and hit well. That would raise his trade stock. It would give us time for two things . First to see what our injury situation is. A also see what teams may lose someone.  Making it but easier to trade. However to get anything good out of the deal, we will probably have to do a two for one and trade a range prospect with him to get something better. But it may be better if the roster is in good shape just to trade him.i know one thing for sure. I never trust the good injury news