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  • Minor League Notes

    Read quick notes from all four Minnesota Twins affiliates: Triple-A St. Paul, Double-A Wichita, High-A Cedar Rapids and Single-A Fort Myers. Notes cover promotions, injuries and standout performances.

    28 rumors in this category

      Cody Christie

      The Minnesota Twins got an early glimpse at what their 2026 MLB Draft class could become, and two of their top selections made enough noise to earn national recognition.

      Baseball America recently ranked the 10 most impressive professional debuts from the 2026 MLB Draft class, and the Twins had two players on the list. Third overall pick Vahn Lackey ranked fifth, while second-round selection Carson Tinney came in seventh.

      Vahn Lackey Makes Immediate Impact

      Lackey's professional debut was highly anticipated after the Twins selected him third overall out of Georgia Tech. He entered the draft as one of the most complete players in the class, combining advanced offensive production with the defensive skills to remain behind the plate.

      His professional numbers backed up the excitement. Across 25 games between Low-A Fort Myers and High-A Cedar Rapids, Lackey posted a .250/.435/.424 (.859) slash line with three home runs, 16 RBI and 13 stolen bases. The most impressive number might be his 22.6% walk rate, which helped him reach base at a .435 clip despite a .250 batting average. 

      Lackey also made a quick impression after moving to Cedar Rapids. In his first High-A home game, he collected three hits, drove in three runs, reached base five times and hit his first professional home run. For a player who had already posted a .397/.519/.772 line with 20 home runs during his final season at Georgia Tech, the early professional results provided another reason for optimism. 

      Carson Tinney Brings the Power

      Tinney followed Lackey as Minnesota's second selection, going 43rd overall. The Twins were betting on a catcher with enormous raw power after Tinney hit 22 home runs and posted a .326/.483/.688 (1.165) line at Texas.

      The power immediately translated to professional baseball. Tinney finished his first 24 games with Fort Myers hitting .203/.400/.532 (.932). While the batting average leaves plenty of room for improvement, his eight home runs and 21.9% walk rate stand out. His .932 OPS shows just how much damage he was able to do when making contact. He also finished the season especially strong. Over his final two weeks, Tinney hit .333/.484/.917 with four home runs and six walks in 31 plate appearances.

      It is far too early to draw major conclusions from a few weeks of professional baseball. Still, the Twins have plenty of reasons to be encouraged by their first two selections. Lackey showed an advanced all-around offensive profile while Tinney displayed the power that made him such an intriguing second-round selection.

      Both catchers landed among Baseball America's top 10 debut performances. For a Twins organization looking toward its next competitive window, that is a pretty good place to start.

       

      Seth Stohs

      On Wednesday, Rachell Wolfe updated her Facebook page writing "I'm sorry to write this but after a really really difficult and torturous battle Brian Worlfe passed away early this morning." 

      Brian Wolfe was just 45 years old. 

      He never played in the big leagues with the Minnesota Twins, but he spent parts of six seasons in the Twins minor-league system. They drafted him in 1999 out of high school, and he climbed the organizational ladder slowly, reaching Triple-A. The Twins released him in May of 2005. Ten days later, he signed with the Brewers, and in January of 2006, he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Corey Koskie. 

      In 2007, he got off to a strong start at Triple-A Syracuse. Through 17 games and 26 innings, he had a 1.04 ERA and a 0.92 ERA. He was called up to the big leagues and went 3-1 with a 2.98 ERA over 45 1/3 innings. In 2008, he went 0-2 with a 2.45 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP in 20 games and 22 innings. In 2009, he pitched in 14 games and 15 1/3 innings for the Blue Jays. 

      From 2010-2018 in Japan. He spent time with the Nippon Ham Fighters, the Softbank Hawks, and the Seibu Lions. 

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      In 1999, the Twins drafted him with their sixth round pick out of Servite High School in Anaheim. That draft, the Twins took high school players with their first four picks, then after taking a pitcher from Auburn, they took Wolfe out of the prep ranks too. 

      • The team's first-round pick was OF B.J. Garbe. He was in the organization until the trade deadline of 2004.
      • In the second round, the Twins drafted prep catcher Rob Bowen. He was in the organization through the 2005 season and played in 24 games for the Twins between 2003 and 2004. 
      • The Twins third-round pick was another prep catcher, a Canadian named Justin Morneau. He debuted in 2003 and then was with the Twins until the 2013 trade deadline. He became one of the best Twins players in their history, a four-time All Star, two-time Silver Slugger, and the 2006 AL MVP. He's part of the Twins front office and the television booth. 
      • The Twins fourth-round pick was LHP Jeff Randazzo, a prep pitcher from Pennsylvania. He remained in the organization through the 2005 season, topping out at Double-A. Randazzo has been a long-time sports agent. In the last year, he began his own agency, Covenant Sports Group. 
      • Fifth-round pick RHP Brent Schoening was drafted out of Auburn. A pitcher, he remained in the Twins organization through the 2005 season. He spent the last two years in Triple-A Rochester. 
      • Eighth-round pick OF Matt Scanlon played for the Gophers. Like Wolfe, Scanlon remained in the Twins organization until early in the 2005 season. 
      • Others from that 1999 draft class that signed include: OF Kevin West (16th), Waseca High School infielder Barry Quickstad (18th), RHP Travis Bowyer (20th), RHP Willie Eyre (23rd), infielder Terry Tiffee (26th), RHP Jason Richardson (35th),   

      I mention each of these players, noting that those that signed stuck in the Twins organization five or six seasons. These players get close, and even if they're at different levels, the relationships are still there. Then add in 1998 draft picks such as Tommy Watkins and Kevin Frederick. Or players from the 2000 draft such as Josh Rabe, J.D. Durbin , Jason Kubel, Jason Miller and others.   

      Our thoughts turn to his wife Rachel who is likely in pain, and from how words, has been for quite some time.

      72 big-league games for Toronto may not sound like a lot, but he pitched in nine games for the FCL Twins in 1999. He spent the 2000 and 2001 seasons in Davenport, IA, pitching in 59 games for Quad Cities. Between 2002 and 2005, he pitched in 32 games for the Ft. Myers Miracle, 42 games for New Britain, and another three games for Rochester. With the Brewers, he spent time in Brevard County, Florida and Huntsville, Alabama. He also represented the organization in the Arizona Fall League. With the Blue Jays, he pitched in Dunedin, New Hampshire, and Syracuse before his big-league time in Toronto. He also pitched some for Las Vegas in 2009 when it became the Triple-A affiliate of the Jays. Nine seasons in Japan. And, he did some coaching upon retirement. 

      That's a pretty large baseball family. 

      Cody Christie

      Woo-Suk Go’s time with the Minnesota Twins is over, and the right-hander is heading back to familiar territory. After going unclaimed on waivers following his designation for assignment last Friday, Go elected free agency rather than accept an outright assignment to Triple-A St. Paul. According to Yoo Jee-ho of Yonhap News Agency, Go has agreed to return to the Korea Baseball Organization and sign with the LG Twins.

      “An official with the LG Twins of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) said Tuesday the 28-year-old pitcher is on his way back to Seoul and could sign his deal before the end of the day,” Yoo reported.

      It marks the end of a strange few months for Go, who arrived in Minnesota with some intriguing upside but never found his footing with the organization.

      Go spent the first seven seasons of his professional career with the KBO’s LG Twins. He emerged as one of the league’s better late-inning options, recording at least 30 saves three times. His best season came in 2022, when he converted 42 saves.

      That success earned Go an opportunity in Major League Baseball. The San Diego Padres signed him in January 2024, but his stay in the organization was short-lived. He was traded to the Miami Marlins as part of the package that brought Luis Arraez to San Diego. After being designated for assignment by Miami in May 2024, Go exercised his right to reject a minor-league assignment and became a free agent.

      He bounced around the American baseball landscape before eventually landing with Detroit. The Tigers gave him an opportunity in Triple-A Toledo, where Go looked like an interesting relief option. That performance ultimately caught Minnesota's attention.

      The Twins acquired Go from Detroit in a minor trade at the beginning of July. Across 27 2/3 innings with Toledo, he had posted a 2.60 ERA while striking out 29% of opposing hitters. Minnesota decided to give him his first opportunity in the majors.

      It did not go particularly well. Go appeared in four games for the Twins, allowing four earned runs on eight hits in four innings. Two of those hits left the ballpark. He struck out five and walked two, finishing his brief MLB stint with a 9.00 ERA.

      The Twins optioned Go to St. Paul in late July, but things quickly went sideways. In what would have been his Saints debut, Go was ejected after umpires determined he had an illegal substance in his glove. He initially received a 10-game suspension, which was reduced to eight games following an appeal.

      Unfortunately, his struggles continued after the suspension. Go posted a 12.54 ERA across eight appearances, allowing 13 earned runs and issuing 11 walks over just 9 1/3 innings. At one point, he walked 10 hitters across four innings over a three-game stretch. Overall, Go posted a 3.91 ERA across 50 2/3 innings between the Detroit and Minnesota systems.

      The Twins gave Go his first taste of the majors, but the organization ultimately decided it was time to move in another direction. Now, Go gets an opportunity to reset his career where it began.

      The LG Twins were his team for seven seasons before his MLB journey began. After stops with several organizations in the United States, Go is heading back to Seoul looking to rediscover the pitcher who once dominated the ninth inning in the KBO.

      For Minnesota, it was a short experiment that never quite worked. For Go, the return home could provide a chance to get his career back on track.

      Cody Christie

      The Minnesota Twins have spent plenty of time searching for answers at catcher over the years. Now, the organization appears to have collected intriguing options throughout the farm system.

      MLB Pipeline recently ranked the Twins as the top organization in baseball when it comes to catching prospects, a reflection of just how much talent Minnesota has accumulated behind the plate. The Twins have four legitimate prospects who give the organization reason to believe it can find a long-term answer at catcher.

      That group became even more impressive during the 2026 MLB Draft. Minnesota selected Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey with the third overall pick before returning to the position in the second round to select Texas catcher Carson Tinney. Suddenly, the Twins had added two more high-upside catchers to a pipeline that already featured Eduardo Tait and Khadim Diaw. It is a remarkable collection of talent at one position.

      Lackey is the headliner. The third overall pick is about as well-rounded as any catching prospect in the minor leagues. MLB Pipeline has given him above-average-to-plus grades for his hit, power, arm and fielding tools, making him the type of player who doesn't have an obvious weakness. That combination helped Lackey jump immediately onto national prospect lists following the draft.

      Twins Daily currently ranks him as the organization's No. 2 prospect, behind only Walker Jenkins. Lackey has already moved quickly through his first professional season and was recently promoted to High-A Cedar Rapids. There is still plenty of development ahead, but the early returns have only strengthened the belief that Lackey could eventually become Minnesota's catcher of the future. And he isn't the only option.

      Tinney brings a different offensive profile to the organization. He is more slugging-forward than Lackey and currently ranks No. 11 on the Twins Daily prospect list, giving Minnesota another potentially impactful bat at a premium position.

      Then there is Tait. At just 19 years old, Tait remains the youngest member of this group and arguably the most difficult player to evaluate. He fell out of some national top-100 rankings this season because of concerns surrounding his contact ability and below-average defensive work behind the plate.

      That doesn't mean his prospect status has disappeared. Tait still possesses legitimate power potential, and the upside that made him one of the more intriguing pieces of Minnesota's 2025 trade deadline haul remains. At his age, there is plenty of time for the Twins to work through the questions surrounding his offensive approach and defensive development.

      Diaw provides yet another interesting option. The 22-year-old is hitting .302/.420/.439 across 95 games between High-A and Double-A this season. His athleticism also gives Minnesota some flexibility, as he has received opportunities in center field. Twins Daily currently ranks Diaw No. 13 in the organization.

      That depth matters. Lackey is expected to be the player who eventually takes over as Minnesota's long-term catcher. The Twins didn't use the third overall pick on him expecting him to become anything less than a cornerstone player.

      But prospects don't always follow the script. That is what makes this group so valuable. If Lackey develops into the catcher Minnesota believes he can become, the organization will have found its answer at a position that has been difficult to solve consistently. If he doesn't, the Twins aren't starting from scratch. Tinney, Tait and Diaw provide three more possibilities, each with a different set of strengths and developmental timelines.

      For an organization recently recognized by MLB Pipeline as having baseball's best catching prospect system, that is the biggest takeaway. Minnesota doesn't have to find one catcher. It has multiple chances to get it right.

       

      Seth Stohs

      The Fort Myers Mighty Mussels and the Cedar Rapids Kernels have announced that catcher Vahn Lackey has been promoted to the High-A Kernels. 

      He certainly didn't put up the kind of numbers some might expect in his 15 games with the Mussels. He hit just .204 with a .370 slugging percentage, but he did get on base 39% of the time. 

      The actual numbers are not important. 15 games is a small sample, and Lackey had not played competitive baseball in about two months.   

      Lackey showed some of his talent and the tools that make him such an intriguing catching prospect. Behind the plate, he has several caught stealing videos showing a quick transfer, quick release, good feet, and a strong and accurate arm. That said, he got just six out of 26 would-be base stealers (23%). 

      Lackey showed really good speed with the two doubles and two triples. He was also successful in five out of six stolen base attempts.   

      Regardless of the statistics themselves, it is time to push the top pick up to High-A Cedar Rapids for the final couple of weeks. 

      I am a bit surprised that second round draft pick and fellow catcher Carson Tinney did not take the same flight up to Iowa. Tinney has played in 16 games for Fort Myers. The Texas alum hit .222/.409/.593 (1.001) with two doubles and six home runs. 

      After going 3-for-27 in his first nine professional ballgames. He was hitting .111/.385/.222 (.607) with one home run. He had 11 walks to 13 strikeouts. 

      In his past eight games, Tinney has gone 9-for-27. He has hit .333/.438/.963 (1.401) with two doubles and five home runs. He's been much more aggressive with four walks and eight strikeouts. 

      The Rest of the 2026 Draft Picks (Hitters): 
      11th round Aidan Teel: 16 G, 14-for-53, .264/.385/.396 (.781) with 5 doubles, 1 triple. 

      12th round Colby Turner: 16 G, 20-for-62, .323/.403/.452 (.854) with 3 doubles, 1 triple, 1 home run.  

      13th round Isaiah Lane: 14 G, 16-for-47, .340/.418/.617 (1.035), 4 doubles, 3 triples, 1 home run.

      15th round Charlie Scholvin: 14 G, 8-for-45, .178/.362/.200 (.562), 1 double. 

      17th round Hideki Prather: 7 G, 3-for-23, .130/.214/.174 (.388), 1 double. 

      19th round PJ Moutzouridis: Remains on the FCL Twins roster. 

      Cody Christie

       

      The Minnesota Twins have spent much of this season trying to piece together enough starting pitching depth to get through the final months of the season. Unfortunately, another piece just took a hit.

      Left-hander Kendry Rojas exited his Triple-A St. Paul start on Friday after apparently grimacing following a pitch in the second inning. After a meeting at the mound, Rojas left the game after throwing just one inning. He allowed one walk and did not surrender a hit.

      The diagnosis came Saturday, and it wasn't particularly encouraging. The Twins placed Rojas on the Triple-A injured list with a right oblique strain. That puts another dent in an already thin group of starting pitching options. More importantly, it puts Rojas' potential role down the stretch into question.

      Rojas Was Starting to Make a Case

      Before the injury, Rojas was doing exactly what the Twins wanted to see after sending him back to St. Paul at the beginning of August. In three starts since the demotion, the 23-year-old had thrown 11 innings while allowing just one earned run. He struck out 11, walked only two and held opposing hitters to a .180/.220/.256 slash line. Those are the kinds of numbers that force an organization to pay attention.

      Rojas has also already gotten a taste of the majors this season. He has made four appearances for Minnesota, including some outings in an opener-type role. Across 12 1/3 innings, he owns a 2.19 ERA with 14 strikeouts and seven walks. The most intriguing part might be how opponents have performed when Rojas has been used as a starter. They have produced just a .430 OPS against him.

      The question has never really been whether Rojas can get major-league hitters out. The next question was whether he could do it while handling a legitimate starter's workload.

      The Workload Was Supposed to Increase

      That was going to be the next phase of Rojas' development. On Sunday's episode of Inside Twins, general manager Jeremy Zoll said the organization planned to ramp up Rojas' workload in his upcoming starts. That made sense.

      The Twins don't simply need another pitcher capable of giving them two or three innings. With the rotation already dealing with injuries and uncertainty, they need someone who can potentially take the ball every fifth day and provide meaningful length. Rojas was beginning to get that opportunity.

      Now, the oblique injury interrupts the process. The hope, obviously, is that this is a relatively short-term setback and Rojas can get back on the mound soon. But oblique injuries can be tricky, particularly for pitchers. The Twins will have to be careful about rushing him back simply because they need pitching.

      Joe Ryan's return timeline remains an important variable for the Twins' rotation, and any additional injury could create another opening. Before Friday, Rojas looked like one of the more logical internal candidates to fill it.

      If Rojas can return quickly and resume building up his innings, he could still become an intriguing September option. But with the Twins already short on rotation depth, this is another injury the organization could have done without.

       

       

      Seth Stohs

      On his Instagram account, Twins outfielder Kyler Fedko announced that his season has come to an end. He recently tore his ACL and had surgery in the Twin Cities. 

      Fedko was the Twins 12th round draft pick in 2021 out of the University of Connecticut. He had a breakout season in 2025 between Double-A and Triple-A. In 130 games, he hit .258/.368/.487 (.855) with 25 doubles, 28 homers and 38 stolen bases. He has played all three outfield spots and even quite a bit of time at first base. 

      In 75 games this year for St. Paul, he hit .274/.362/.545 (.907) with 17 doubles, 17 homers and 10 stolen bases. 

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      In mid-June, the Twins DFAd James Outman, Fedko was given an opportunity for the role. It isn't an easy role. Maybe one start every 10 games, late inning defense and pinch running. Fedko made some nice plays defensively and his baserunning literally led to a couple of wins. he got 16 at-bats and was not able to get a hit. In 19 plate appearances, he walked twice and had a sacrifice RBI. 

      He was optioned to the Saints on July 10th. Last Sunday (8/2), he was 1-for-4 with a walk, his 17th double and two RBI in a game. In the bottom of the ninth, he moved from center to left field. With two outs, the Storm Chaser batter slapped a ball down the left-field line. Fedko ran toward the ball. As he started slowing down to grab the ball in the corner, he went down. The camera angle did not allow viewers to see what happened or a replay or anything. Ben Ross ran over to the ball from center and threw it in. Kaelen Culpepper raced out from shortstop, and Walker Jenkins rushed over from right field. Brian Dinkelman and a trainer hurried. Fortunately, there is an opening in left field. A couple of field maintenance vehicles came out before an amped-up golf cart backed up to Fedko and drove him off the field.

      Fedko is a man of deep faith, something that will certainly help him through the long process. 

      Join us in wishing Kyler Fedko a successful recovery. 

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      Seth Stohs

       

      In 2013, the Twins used their fourth-round draft pick to select Stephen Gonsalves. Not to be confused with one of the paranormal investigators on Ghost Hunters. This Gonsalves was a 6-6 left-handed pitcher from San Diego's Cathedral Catholic High School. He was an All-American who represented USA baseball in several competitions. 

      After signing with the Twins, he had 39 strikeouts in 28 1/3 innings split between the GCL and Elizabethton. While many prospects start each season at a new level. Gonsalves seemingly was always on the opposite schedule. He would earn a mid-season promotion to a new level. While at times it may have felt like a slow-play, it seemed to work. He continued to put up numbers up and down the minor league system. 

      From 2013-2019, Gonsalves was frequently written about on the pages of Twins Daily. At year's end, he was always up for consideration for Twins Daily Minor League Starting Pitcher of the Year. 

      In 2014, he was Honorable Mention: Elizabethton Twins/Cedar Rapids Kernels (4-3, 3.02 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 65.2 IP, 54 H, 21 BB, 70 K)
      In 2015, he finished second to Jose Berrios (who also won in 2014): Cedar Rapids Kernels/Fort Myers Miracle: 24 GS, 13-3, 2.01 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 134.1 IP, 95 H’s, 53 BB’s, 132 K’s.
      In 2016, he was the Starting Pitcher of the Year: Ft. Myers Miracle/Chattanooga Lookouts: 24 GS, 13-5, 2.06 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 140.0 IP, 86 H, 57 BB, 155 K.
      In 2017, he was again named the Starting Pitcher of the Year: Chattanooga Lookouts/Rochester Red Wings 3.27 ERA, 110.0 IP (19 starts), 9.7 K/9, 2.5 BB/9, 1.136 WHIP

      In mid-August of 2018, Gonsalves got The Call.. His first two games were on the road. I was able to attend his first Target Field start. Before the game, media is not allowed to talk to the day's starting pitcher. He was sitting at his locker, headphones in., listening to music. He looked up once and saw me in a group talking to another player. A nod of acknowledgement was plenty. 

      During the game, I talked to his parents for a little while. They were so proud. His mom said, I wish I could go to the clubhouse after the game and give him a big hug. His dad looked at me and said, "Well, you can do that for us, right?" Eh?

      After the game, I was part of the media scrum chatting with Gonsalves about his start at his locker. When that was done, I shook his hand and told him about the hug comment. I chuckled, and then he said, "Ah, come on Seth, bring it in." So, we did an awkward bro-hug.   

      Gonsalves was always willing to do a podcast interview or a story quote. He enjoyed being at the ballpark, and I think he always appreciated those who took the time to promote the minor leaguers, and interview minor leaguers, and make them people instead of just stat lines and box scores. He appreciated the opportunity and the fans that cheered him on. 

      One year after he was named minor league starting pitcher of the year, we invited him and Mitch Garver to come to the Twins Daily Winter Meltdown. They showed up with their significant others. We didn't promote that they had shown up, but there were people who went up to them, and they understood the importance of the fans and being fans. 

      Gonsalves was a Top 100 prospect before his debut. He pitched in the Arizona Fall League. He's gone through Tommy John surgery. Almost literally, he has gone through everything that a ballplayer can go through He got seven appearances with the Twins in 2018. Then he didn't get back to the big leagues until 2021 when he pitched in three late-season games for the Red Sox. That was his last big-league game. 

      Along the Twins, he spent time in the Red Sox, Cubs and Rockies organizations. He also spent time the last few years playing in Mexico. If you look at his minor league baseball reference page, you'll see that Gonsalves ended his career with 20 MLB strikeouts. He accumulated 871 strikeouts in the minor leagues. And, he had seven strikeouts in the Fall League. And in Mexico, he ended with 103 strikeouts. Add them up, and he ended his career with 1,001 strikeouts.   

      One final story that my brother reminded me of when I mentioned that Gonsalves had retired. We talked about how he just got it, he understood the role of the fans, and he wanted them to have a positive experience. One year at the Diamond Awards, my brother and I spent a little time chatting with the Gonsalves family. My brother is an outdoorsman and enjoyed talking to Stephen about spear fishing in the ocean when he was younger. At one point, a couple came up to Gonsalves and excitedly asked if they could get their picture taken with him. Moments later, the couple got their picture, thanked him and walked back to a nearby group. 

      My brother asked him, "What's that like?" 

      Gonsalves responded, "That is pretty cool. It never really gets old." 

      At that point, they heard the couple who just had their photo taken with the lanky lefty telling their group, "Oh, this is so great. Where else could we go and get our picture taken with Max Kepler." 

      Gonsalves put his head down, smiled and shook his head. 

      Stephen, congratulations on the career, the good and the not-so good, and all the milestones. To the next phase, raising the three kids with your lovely bride. 

       

      Seth Stohs

      On Friday night, the Savannah Bananas came to Target Field with their fun-filled brand of Banana Ball. 

      As they always do, they incorporated some friends into their game. 

      Joe Mauer came to welcome the Bananas to town and throw out the ceremonial first pitch.   

      In the seventh inning, Brian Dozier was introduced to the crowd over about 39,000. He acknowledged them, and they gave him a long and loud ovation. Dozier ultimately struck out on a fifth-pitch fastball, but he smiled and waved to the crowd. 

      The Bananas will play at 8:00 pm on Saturday night and 3:00 pm on Sunday at Target Field.  If you go to any of the games and want to share pictures and stories here. 

      Cody Christie

      Every summer, the release of updated prospect rankings becomes one of the first opportunities to evaluate how the newest draft class stacks up against baseball's best young talent. Each national outlet has its own philosophy, leading to plenty of debate about player ceilings, risk, and long-term projections. There isn't one correct way to rank prospects, which is exactly what makes comparing these lists so interesting.

      The Athletic's Keith Law has long taken a different approach than many evaluators, emphasizing future value over consensus rankings. His updated top prospects list following the 2026 MLB Draft reflects that philosophy, and it includes an especially optimistic evaluation of Minnesota's newest first-round pick.

      Where Does Vahn Lackey Rank?

      Law ranks Vahn Lackey as the No. 20 prospect in all of baseball, making him the highest-rated player from the 2026 MLB Draft on his list. That ranking is six spots higher than Baseball America's post-draft evaluation, which placed Lackey 26th overall. It also puts the Twins' third overall selection ahead of both players drafted before him. First overall pick Roch Cholowsky checks in at No. 21, while second overall pick Grady Emerson lands at No. 34.

      It's another reminder that opinions on this draft class remain fluid. While most evaluators viewed the top three selections as being in the same tier entering the draft, Law believes Lackey deserves a slight edge.

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      I’m putting Lackey and Roch Cholowsky back-to-back here on purpose, as I saw them as extremely close in the draft and ended up with Lackey just slightly ahead because I think there’s more upside here given the position and the athleticism. Lackey might end up a plus defensive catcher with plus power and a plus hit tool, which may as well be a jackalope given how rare that profile is. We’ll have to see how his power surge this spring holds up in pro ball, and whether his long-term future really is behind the plate given the rigors of the position.

      The upside Law describes is exactly why Minnesota was comfortable making Lackey the third overall pick. Catchers who project to provide impact offense while remaining behind the plate are among the rarest commodities in baseball. If Lackey reaches that ceiling, the Twins could have one of the game's most valuable young players.

      Where Do Other Twins Top Prospects Rank?

      Walker Jenkins has held the title of Minnesota's top prospect since the Twins selected him with the fifth overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. Law still gives him the edge, ranking Jenkins as baseball's No. 19 overall prospect, just one spot ahead of Lackey.

      The narrow gap is notable. Shortly after the draft, I made the case that Lackey had a legitimate argument to become the Twins' No. 1 prospect immediately. While Law stops just short of making that move, his rankings suggest the two are essentially viewed as equals entering the next stage of their development.

      Jenkins slipped eight spots compared to Law's preseason rankings, with injuries playing the biggest role in that decline rather than any concerns about his long-term talent. When healthy, Jenkins still possesses the all-around tools that have made him one of baseball's elite prospects since draft day.

      Minnesota also placed two more players on Law's list. Emmanuel Rodriguez came in at No. 31, while Kaelen Culpepper ranked No. 53 overall.

      Those placements become even more impressive when considering the size of Law's rankings. Unlike many national outlets that publish a Top 100, Law limits his list to just 70 prospects. Having four players inside that group speaks to the overall strength of Minnesota's farm system, especially after adding another premium talent at the top.

      Prospect rankings will continue to change as players gain professional experience, battle injuries, and adjust to higher levels of competition. Still, Law's evaluation reinforces what the Twins believed when they turned in Lackey's name on draft night.

      Not only did Minnesota land one of the most talented players available, but they may have selected the player with the highest long-term upside in the entire draft. Whether Lackey eventually overtakes Jenkins as the organization's top prospect remains to be seen, but the conversation is already underway, and that's exactly where the Twins hoped it would be just weeks after the draft.

      Cody Christie

      The Minnesota Twins took a low-risk gamble earlier this month when they acquired right-handed reliever Woo-Suk Go from the Detroit Tigers for cash considerations. After a brief look in the majors, the organization sent him to Triple-A St. Paul to continue refining his mechanics and remain available as bullpen depth.

      Instead of getting another opportunity to prove himself, Go will now spend the next 10 games serving a suspension. Major League Baseball announced Sunday that Go received a 10-game suspension after an illegal foreign substance was discovered on his glove during Friday night's game with the St. Paul Saints. The suspension is retroactive to Saturday.

      Why Was Go Suspended?

      The incident occurred before Go could even throw his first pitch for the Saints. During a routine glove inspection, third base umpire Joe McCarthy noticed something unusual and conferred with the rest of the umpiring crew before ejecting the 27-year-old reliever. His glove was confiscated and sent to Major League Baseball for further examination, ultimately leading to the suspension. He will not be eligible to return until the Saints' next homestand starting August 4.

      For Go, the timing couldn't be much worse. After Minnesota acquired him from Detroit on July 6, the Twins quickly gave him an opportunity at the major-league level. He appeared in four games, allowing four runs on eight hits (including two home runs), while striking out five over four innings before being optioned back to Triple-A.

      The demotion wasn't necessarily surprising. Minnesota wanted Go to iron out some mechanical issues while giving another reliever an opportunity in the bullpen. The expectation was that a few solid outings in St. Paul could put him back into the conversation for another call-up.

      A Long Road to the Major Leagues

      Go's professional journey has been anything but conventional. He debuted in the Korean Baseball Organization as an 18-year-old and spent seven seasons establishing himself as one of the league's better late-inning relievers. Across 354 appearances, he posted a 3.18 ERA while striking out 401 batters in 368 innings, eventually earning a two-year, $4.5 million contract with the San Diego Padres before the 2024 season.

      The transition to affiliated baseball proved difficult. Control problems prevented him from making San Diego's Opening Day roster, and his struggles continued in Double-A. After later joining the Miami Marlins organization and being released, Go signed a minor-league contract with Detroit before the 2025 season. That move appeared to get his career back on track.

      Between Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo this season, Go posted a 1.96 ERA over 41 1/3 innings, showing enough promise for the Twins to acquire him as they searched for additional bullpen depth.

      Another Opportunity Will Have to Wait

      Minnesota's bullpen has lacked consistency throughout the season, meaning there is still a realistic path for Go to earn another opportunity in the majors once his suspension ends. However, the challenge has become significantly steeper.

      Players on the fringe of a big-league roster have little margin for error, and a suspension involving an illegal foreign substance raises questions that Go now has to answer with his performance. The Twins were hoping he could become another reclamation success story, but first he'll have to regain the organization's trust. 

      If he can rediscover the form that made him dominant in Detroit's farm system, another call to Minnesota remains possible. But after this latest setback, he'll have to earn that opportunity all over again.

       

       

      Cody Christie

      The Twins have officially moved on from Orlando Arcia. The veteran infielder was released from Triple-A St. Paul’s roster, according to Bobby Nightengale of the Minnesota Star Tribune. Arcia had spent the majority of the season in the minors after appearing in 19 games for Minnesota earlier this year.

      It’s an understandable roster decision, but it also leaves the Twins without much experienced infield depth on their bench.

      Orlando Arcia’s Brief Twins Opportunity

      Minnesota signed Arcia to a minor league contract in January, giving the organization an experienced option to stash in Triple-A. He didn’t make the team out of spring training, but his opportunity eventually came when Royce Lewis was sent to the minors. Arcia joined the Twins and remained with the club for less than a month before Lewis returned.

      Arcia appeared in 19 games and received 50 plate appearances. He hit .271/.300/.354 with one home run, producing a .654 OPS. The veteran also provided plenty of defensive flexibility, seeing time at all four infield positions.

      When Lewis returned to the big-league club in June, there was no obvious spot left for Arcia. Minnesota designated him for assignment, giving him the opportunity to elect free agency. Instead, Arcia chose to remain with the Twins and continue playing at Triple-A St. Paul. Now, that stint has come to an end.

      Arcia's time in the majors didn't produce much offensive impact, but his work with the Saints was considerably better. Across 63 games with St. Paul, Arcia slashed .282/.336/.498 (.834). That production offered a reminder of what he can bring when his bat is clicking, particularly when combined with his ability to move around the infield. That type of versatility made Arcia a useful depth piece for the Twins. Unfortunately, Minnesota's current roster construction didn't leave much room for him.

      Arcia’s Recent MLB Struggles

      Arcia entered 2026 looking to rebound from a difficult 2025 season. He split last year between the Braves and Rockies and struggled significantly at the plate. In 76 games, Arcia posted a 33 wRC+. An elbow injury also cost him time in August. The offensive decline has been noticeable over the last couple of seasons. Since the beginning of 2024, Arcia owns a .217/.265/.338 (.603) slash line in the majors. That stretch has pulled down his career numbers, which now sit at .240/.292/.369 (.661) across more than 3,500 plate appearances.

      Still, there is evidence that Arcia can be a productive major leaguer. The 31-year-old has appeared in the majors across parts of 11 seasons and enjoyed a resurgence with the Braves. During the 2022 and 2023 seasons, he hit .258/.319/.419 (.738) and established himself as a reliable contributor while also providing defensive versatility.

      The question entering this season was whether that version of Arcia could return. His performance at Triple-A suggested there might still be something left, but his limited opportunities with Minnesota didn't provide much evidence either way.

      Where Does This Leave the Twins?

      The timing of Arcia's departure is interesting because Minnesota could arguably use the type of player he represents.

      Brooks Lee has settled in as the team's full-time third baseman, while most of Royce Lewis' recent infield work has come on the right side of the diamond. Ryan Kreidler has handled shortstop, and Kody Clemens has taken over at second base with Luke Keaschall transitioning into a full-time outfield role. That leaves a somewhat unusual configuration. The Twins don't have a true middle infielder on the bench after demoting Tristan Gray over the last week.

      Arcia could have provided insurance at both middle-infield positions while also offering the ability to cover third base in a pinch. His offensive track record isn't particularly strong at this stage of his career, but his defensive flexibility would have given Minnesota another way to navigate injuries and late-game substitutions.

      Instead, the Twins have decided they can live without him. Arcia will now hit the open market and look for another organization willing to give him a chance. Given his experience, defensive versatility, and productive Triple-A season, another opportunity could be waiting.

      For the Twins, though, the organization appears comfortable moving forward with its current infield alignment. That could work just fine if everyone stays healthy. But as every team learns over the course of a long season, having an experienced utility infielder around can become pretty valuable in a hurry.

      Cody Christie

      The top of the 2026 MLB Draft unfolded much the way evaluators expected. UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky went first overall to the Chicago White Sox, Texas prep standout Grady Emerson followed at No. 2, and the Minnesota Twins landed Vahn Lackey with the third overall selection.

      While the draft is now in the rearview mirror, prospect rankings are already beginning to provide context for how those players compare to the rest of baseball's young talent.

      Baseball America recently updated its Top 100 Prospects list following the draft, giving Twins fans an early indication of where Lackey fits among the game's best prospects. The publication's rankings suggest Minnesota may have added another cornerstone talent to an already impressive farm system.

      Lackey Debuts Among Baseball’s Best

      According to a recent ESPN report, the White Sox seriously considered selecting Lackey with the first overall pick and continued debating between him and Cholowsky until the final days before the draft. Ultimately, Chicago chose the polished UCLA shortstop.

      Baseball America's updated rankings reflect just how close that decision may have been. Cholowsky now checks in as the No. 5 prospect in baseball, immediately becoming one of the highest-ranked prospects in the sport. Emerson follows at No. 12 overall, giving the first two selections prominent placement near the top of the rankings.

      Lackey isn't far behind. Baseball America placed the Twins' newest prospect at No. 26 overall, making him one of just a handful of 2026 draftees to crack the upper tier of the Top 100 list immediately after being selected. For a player who has yet to appear in a professional game, that's an impressive endorsement of both his talent and long-term projection.

      Where Does He Fit in Minnesota's System?

      The more interesting debate may be where Lackey belongs within the Twins organization. Walker Jenkins remains the standard bearer. Baseball America had him ranked ninth overall entering the draft, and he continues to sit comfortably among baseball's elite prospects despite injuries slowing portions of his development.

      After Jenkins, however, the conversation becomes much more interesting. Minnesota's system features several high-end talents, including Kaelen Culpepper and Emmanuel Rodriguez. Each brings a unique blend of upside and proximity to the major leagues.

      Lackey immediately enters that discussion. An argument can reasonably be made that he is the organization's second-best prospect behind Jenkins. Others may prefer the combination of performance and proximity offered by players already succeeding in the upper minors. There's also a case for ranking him third while waiting to see how his tools translate to professional baseball.

      Regardless of where individual evaluators place him, Baseball America's ranking makes one thing clear: Lackey belongs in the conversation with the very best prospects in the organization.

      Another Boost for a Rising Farm System

      The Twins have spent the past several years building one of baseball's deeper farm systems, and the addition of Lackey only strengthens that foundation.

      Landing a player viewed as the No. 26 prospect in baseball immediately after the draft is a significant win for Minnesota's scouting department. It also provides another high-ceiling talent to pair with Jenkins at the top of the system.

      Whether Lackey ultimately becomes the Twins' No. 1 prospect remains to be seen. For now, Baseball America's updated rankings offer an encouraging reminder that Minnesota didn't just add another first-round pick last week. They added one of the most highly regarded young players in all of baseball.

       

      Cody Christie

      The Minnesota Twins have spent much of the 2026 season searching for stability at shortstop. Veterans have cycled through the position, prospects have generated excitement, and many fans have circled one name as the long-term answer: Kaelen Culpepper. That future still appears bright, but it will have to wait a little longer.

      Triple-A St. Paul placed Culpepper on the 7-day injured list Tuesday because of a recurring glute injury, another frustrating setback in what has otherwise been an impressive second full professional season. While Culpepper hadn't appeared in a game since taking a pitch off his hand late last month, the hand injury wasn't the reason for his latest IL stint. Instead, it's the same glute injury that first surfaced in mid-June and has continued to linger.

      Recurring soft-tissue injuries are rarely resolved quickly, making it possible that Culpepper's absence extends beyond the seven-day minimum. That timing is unfortunate because the 23-year-old has done everything possible to put himself on the doorstep of the major leagues.

      After a slow start, Culpepper caught fire offensively, hitting .272/.376/.492 (.868) with 14 home runs, 43 RBI, and 15 stolen bases in 17 attempts across 63 games. His combination of power, athleticism, and defensive versatility has only strengthened the belief that he's Minnesota's shortstop of the future.

      The injuries, however, have interrupted that momentum. The glute issue originally sidelined Culpepper after June 13 and limited him to just two games following his return on June 28. He went 1-for-8 in those contests before being hit on the hand by a pitch on June 30. While the hand initially appeared to be the biggest concern, the recurring glute injury ultimately proved to be the issue that forced another trip to the injured list.

      Unfortunately for the Twins, Culpepper isn't the only top prospect whose season has been interrupted by injuries.

      Walker Jenkins, the organization's top prospect, missed significant time earlier this year after suffering a Grade 2 AC joint sprain in his left shoulder when he crashed into an outfield wall in early May. Since returning, Jenkins has looked like himself again, collecting hits in seven of his first nine games back and launching a home run on Friday. His recent production has renewed optimism that he could make his major league debut before the season ends.

      The Twins have seen several of their highest-ranked prospects lose valuable development time over the past couple of seasons, making Culpepper's latest setback feel all too familiar.

      Still, there's plenty of reason for optimism. Nothing about this injury changes Culpepper's long-term outlook. He has already demonstrated he can handle Triple-A pitching and possesses the complete skill set Minnesota envisioned when it selected him in the first round. The only question now is when he'll be healthy enough to resume building toward his first call to the majors.

      Twins fans may have to wait a little longer for the organization's future shortstop to arrive, but if Culpepper returns healthy and picks up where he left off, that wait should still be well worth it.

      Cory Moen

      Walker Jenkins was named to the MLB Futures Game, which will be played on Sunday, July 12, at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. He will join fellow top prospect Kaelen Culpepper in representing the Twins in the game.

      Jenkins is clearly deserving of this honor, as he is the Twins' top prospect and has proved why thus far in 2026. This year has been slowed by injury, but he has looked the part of a top prospect at Triple-A, hitting .272/.390/.430 over 31 games played. His .820 OPS is solidly above average, and he has added two home runs with 11 RBIs as well. He's also shown his athleticism with seven stolen bases on the year as well.

      While many Twins fans are hoping he makes his Major League debut sooner rather than later, you will get your opportunity to see him on a Major League Field come July 12. 

      Seth Stohs

      On Tuesday night at CHS Field, the St. Paul Saints returned home for a series against the Buffalo Bisons. 

      The Twins won the first game of the series on Tuesday by a score of 12-6. The Saints scored seven runs in the bottom of the first inning and led 11-3 after four innings. The did most of their damage early. 

      However, the most important "play of the day" before the phrase, "Play Ball" was uttered. 

      Before each game at CHS Field, a kid gets to stand alongside each of the nine defensive players. Maybe they bring a ball with them and the player signs it for him or her. Overall, it's a cool way for the players to interact with kids. And they stand next to the player for the playing of the national anthem. 

      Shortly after The Star-Spangled Banner started, the youngster standing next to Walker Jenkins in center field started to wobble. He leaned heavily to his right, bumping into right fielder Matt Wallner who caught him and set him up, likely not sure what was happening. But when he started to fall, Jenkins stepped over and caught him. Realizing that he had fainted, Jenkins picked him up and ran him into the Saints dugout where he handed the child to Chase Thompson, the Saints lead athletic trainer. From there, the child, "Lincoln" was brought into the clubhouse and evaluated. 

      Ultimately, he was OK. He had overheated and was a bit dehydrated which caused him to faint. He was given fluids and cooled off before he returned to watching the game. 

      After Jenkins handed Lincoln over, he clearly did not know what to do? Does he follow along? Does he stay on the field? The national anthem was still playing? Should he run back out to his position? A situation like that has to cause the mind to race. But when he was needed, he came through. 

      Did it affect him during the game? If it did, it didn't show. He had a single in the first inning, doubled in the fourth inning, and tripled in the sixth inning. 

      The summer before being drafted, Jenkins was playing for Team USA Baseball. Twins Hall of Famer Michael Cuddyer has been very active with Team USA over the years. He gave Jenkins the nickname "Captain America" because of his size, stature, and overall talent level. 

      On Tuesday, Jenkins got to play Super Hero for a kid and his family. 

      Cody Christie

      For the second consecutive summer, one of the Minnesota Twins' brightest young stars will spend All-Star weekend in a major league stadium. Shortstop Kaelen Culpepper has been selected to the 2026 MLB All-Star Futures Game, giving him another opportunity to represent the organization among the game's top prospects.

      Ranked as the Twins Daily's No. 2 prospect, Culpepper has continued his impressive rise through the system with an outstanding first half at Triple-A St. Paul. The 23-year-old has appeared in 63 games while posting a .272/.376/.492 slash line with an .868 OPS. He has collected 14 home runs, 43 RBI, scored 54 runs, and stolen 15 bases in 17 attempts. Perhaps just as encouraging has been his advanced approach at the plate, drawing 37 walks while striking out only 51 times across 250 at-bats.

      His production stacks up well against the rest of the International League. Culpepper ranks among the league leaders in several offensive categories, including sitting seventh in runs scored. His 123 wRC+ also places him among the top young hitters in the league, ranking fifth among players age 23 or younger and sixth among International League shortstops.

      Few players in professional baseball have been as dangerous at the start of games. Culpepper has launched six leadoff home runs this season, tying for the most in all of baseball alongside Byron Buxton, Shohei Ohtani, James Wood, and Rangers prospect Devin Fitz-Gerald.

      His power has also shown up throughout games. Culpepper's 10 home runs leading off an inning are tied for the most in the minor leagues with Diamondbacks prospect Manuel Peña. Across both the majors and minors, only Buxton (14), Wood (13), and Ohtani (11) have hit more.

      This will be Culpepper's second consecutive appearance in the Futures Game after participating during All-Star festivities in Atlanta last season. In the 2025 contest at Truist Park, he entered defensively in the fourth inning and recorded one plate appearance, lining out to left field.

      According to the Saints, he becomes the fourth player to earn a Futures Game selection since the club became affiliated with the Twins. Josh Winder represented the organization in 2021, Spencer Steer followed in 2022, and Brooks Lee was selected in 2024 before earning a promotion to the Twins instead of appearing in the game.

      The 2026 MLB All-Star Futures Game will be played on Sunday, July 12, at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. The annual showcase features many of baseball's top prospects as the American League and National League square off during All-Star weekend, with first pitch scheduled for 11:00 a.m. CT on NBC.

      Cody Christie

      When the Twins designated Orlando Arcia for assignment earlier this week, there was at least a chance another club would take a flier on a veteran with nearly a decade of major league experience. Instead, Arcia passed through waivers unclaimed and will remain in the organization.

      According to The Athletic's Dan Hayes, Arcia has accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A St. Paul rather than electing free agency. That keeps a familiar depth piece in Minnesota's system as the club navigates the second half of the season.

      Arcia's latest stint with the Twins lasted just under a month. Minnesota promoted him after reshuffling the infield, a move that coincided with Royce Lewis being sent to Triple-A and Brooks Lee taking over at the hot corner. During his time with the big-league club, Arcia appeared in 19 games and collected 50 plate appearances, posting a .271/.300/.354 slash line with one home run.

      While his major league opportunity was brief, Arcia had done plenty to earn a look. Before his promotion, he was one of St. Paul's most productive hitters, batting .318/.376/.556 with eight home runs in 165 plate appearances for the Saints.

      The 31-year-old has built a lengthy major league résumé over parts of 11 seasons. Arcia carved out a respectable career and enjoyed a resurgence with the Braves, hitting .258/.319/.419 across the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

      Offensive production has been harder to find in recent years. Since the start of 2024, Arcia owns a .217/.265/.338 line in the majors, bringing his career numbers to .240/.292/.369 over more than 3,500 plate appearances.

      His return to St. Paul comes at a useful time for the organization. Top prospect Kaelen Culpepper is currently sidelined with a hip strain, creating regular at-bats in the Saints' infield. Even after Culpepper returns, Arcia provides valuable insurance for a Twins club that has dealt with its share of injuries and roster turnover.

      Minnesota doesn't currently have an obvious opening on the major league roster, but that can change quickly. If another infielder lands on the injured list or the Twins need a more reliable defensive option, Arcia's experience and familiarity with the organization could put him right back on the shuttle between St. Paul and Target Field.

      For now, the Twins keep a veteran depth piece in the fold, and Arcia keeps alive the possibility of adding another chapter to a major league career that has already spanned more than a decade.

       

      Seth Stohs

      The Jays have had their share of injuries and pitching issues. Jose Berrios recently had Tommy John surgery. Shane Bieber, Dylan Cease, Max Scherzer, and Bowden Francis are all on the Injured List. They have been in need of both starting and relief pitching. 

      In the last few days, Toronto has acquired Simeon Woods Richardson from the Twins for #OldFriend Cash Considerations. They also just signed Justin Topa who was released by the Twins last week. 

      Austin Voth had been pitching at Triple-A Buffalo most of this season. He recently came up to the big-league club and worked six innings over two games before they DFAd him and he chose free agency.

      Voth, who will turn 34 at the end of the month, was a fifth-round pick of the Washington Nationals out of the University of Washington. 

      He worked his way up the organizational ladder, and in 2018, he pitched in four games (12 1/3 innings) in the big leagues. He made eight starts (nine appearances) in 2019. He made 11 starts during the Covid-shortened 2020 season. In 2021, he was moved to the bullpen and pitched in 49 games. Midway through the 2022 season, he was DFAd by the Nationals and claimed by the Orioles. 

      In 2024, he spent the season with his hometown Mariners and posted a 3.59 ERA. 

      In 2025, he spent a season pitching for Chiba Lotte in Japan. 

      The Twins front office continues to work the edges of their 40-man roster. Since spring training, they have been very busy on the waiver wire and continuing to add minor-league free agents with big-league time. Some have worked. Others did not. In the offseason, they signed veterans like Liam Hendriks, Dan Altavilla, and Matt Bowman. All three are now with other organizations. The Twins were able to sign veterans like Drew Smith, Jon Brebbia. Smith remains in St. Paul, but Brebbia was let go. Luis Garcia was claimed. Zak Kent and Christian Roa were too.  

      Clearly Anthony Banda was going to make the team with his track record, and the Twins stood by him through early-season struggles. They brought back Cody Laweryson right as spring training started, and he made the opening day roster. With his unique release point, 97 mph fastball and intriguing sweeper, Justin Lawrence sure looks the part of big-league reliever. Garrett Acton looked good after the Twins claimed him, but he only worked in four games before being injured. 

      And if we thought the Joe Ryan for two bad months of Nelson Cruz was a great trade for the Twins from the Rays, well, Yoendrys Gomez for Cash Considerations is looking pretty good so far too. 

      Back to Austin Voth. He'll likely be used in different roles and different situations. He could be a spot starter (like Thursday night), an opener, a three-to-four innings guy twice per week, a traditional one-inning guy. Will he eventually get a shot with the Twins? Who knows?

      But the Twins absolutely should be frequently acquiring these types of players. If they can end the season with three of Banda, Laweryson, Lawrence, Acton and Gomez pitching well and in the plans for 2027, that's a Win. 

      Cody Christie

      The Minnesota Twins received plenty of positive injury news on Monday as general manager Jeremy Zoll provided updates on several of the organization's top prospects before the opening game of the series against the Chicago White Sox.

      While the Twins continue to navigate injuries at the major league level, the organization appears closer to welcoming back several important minor league contributors. Some of the club's highest-upside prospects are progressing through their recoveries and could return to game action in the coming weeks.

      Walker Jenkins Nearing Return

      The most encouraging update involved Walker Jenkins, Twins Daily's top-ranked prospect, who continues to make strong progress after suffering a left shoulder AC joint sprain in early May.

      According to Zoll, Jenkins has been “progressing well” and is expected to face live pitching later this week. If everything goes according to plan, the talented outfielder could begin a rehabilitation assignment as soon as next week.

      Jenkins has already been hitting off pitching machines and participating in defensive work in the outfield, suggesting he is checking off important recovery milestones. A rehab assignment would represent a significant step toward returning to Triple-A St. Paul.

      Emmanuel Rodriguez Begins Recovery Process

      While Jenkins is moving toward a return, Rodriguez is just beginning his recovery journey. Rodriguez underwent surgery on May 20 to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb, an injury expected to sideline him for approximately six to eight weeks. The injury occurred when he slid head-first into first base, continuing an unfortunate history of thumb-related ailments.

      The timetable still gives Rodriguez a realistic chance to return during the second half of the season, but the Twins will undoubtedly take a cautious approach given his injury history. He likely would have already been called up to the Twins if he were healthy. Now, his big-league debut must wait until the season’s second half.

      Kendry Rojas Trending in the Right Direction

      One of the more encouraging updates involved rookie pitcher Kendry Rojas. After being scratched from a scheduled appearance last week and landing on the injured list with elbow inflammation, there was understandable concern about the severity of the issue. However, Zoll indicated that Rojas is already feeling "markedly better."

      The young left-hander could be cleared to resume throwing as soon as the middle of this week. If that happens, he may not require a lengthy buildup before returning to game action. That timeline could prove especially important given Bailey Ober's injury situation at the major league level. Rojas becomes eligible to return on June 10 and could emerge as an option to help fill innings in Minnesota's rotation.

      There would still be limitations. Rojas has not thrown more than 60 pitches in an outing with the Twins, meaning any starts would likely continue to resemble bullpen games rather than traditional outings. Even so, a quick recovery would be welcome news for both the player and the organization.

      Charlee Soto Set for Long-Awaited Return

      Few prospects have endured a longer road back than Soto. The right-hander has not appeared in a game for more than 13 months, but that drought is finally expected to end Wednesday when he makes a rehab appearance with Low-A Fort Myers.

      Soto's recovery has been marked by multiple setbacks. After making progress with his elbow issues, he developed wrist problems that further delayed his return. Recently, however, the momentum has shifted in a positive direction.

      He threw a one-inning live batting practice session last week, and everything reportedly went well. Now he is ready to take the next step and return to competitive action for the first time since last season. For a young pitcher whose development has been interrupted by injuries, simply getting back on the mound in a game environment represents an important milestone.

      Alan Roden Also Closing in on Rehab Assignment

      Roden appears to be on a similar timeline to Jenkins. Recovering from a right shoulder injury, Roden has resumed throwing to bases and could participate in live batting practice later this week. If those sessions go well, he, too, could begin a rehabilitation assignment sometime next week.

      Like Jenkins, Roden is progressing through the final stages of recovery and appears to be nearing a return to game action.

      The Twins are not completely healthy yet, but Monday's collection of updates offered plenty of reasons for optimism. Jenkins and Roden appear close to rehab assignments, Rojas may avoid an extended absence, Soto is finally preparing for his first game in over a year, and Rodriguez has already started the recovery process following surgery.

      For an organization that relies heavily on its prospect pipeline, getting these players back on the field will be critical as the season moves into the summer months and Minnesota evaluates both its future core and potential major league reinforcements.

      Cody Christie

      Lesson for the kids: don’t slide headfirst into first base. No matter what Nick Punto tells you.

      The Minnesota Twins received discouraging news regarding top prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez after the outfielder’s lingering thumb issue was diagnosed as far more serious than initially believed. Rodriguez is expected to undergo surgery next week to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb.

      The injury traces back to May 1, when Rodriguez dove headfirst into first base during a game for Triple-A St. Paul. Early evaluations pointed to a strain, and there was optimism that the issue would resolve quickly enough for him to avoid a lengthy absence.

      Instead, the discomfort never fully disappeared. Even after the swelling began to improve, Rodriguez continued experiencing pain in the thumb. That prompted the Twins to conduct another MRI, which ultimately revealed the torn ligament that will now require surgery. The organization has not yet announced an official recovery timetable and likely won’t until after the procedure is completed.

      “There was a lot of swelling,” Twins general manager Jeremy Zoll said. “The experts were not able to see into the joint there on the initial set of images, and when he still had the pain persisting here, that hadn’t fully dissipated, that’s what led to the follow-up images and updated diagnosis.”

      Before the injury, Rodriguez was doing exactly what the Twins hoped to see at Triple-A. In 25 games with St. Paul, he slashed .247/.417/.506 (.923) with six home runs and 18 RBIs while continuing to show the elite plate discipline that has made him one of the most intriguing prospects in baseball.

      That production only makes this setback more frustrating. Twins Daily ranked Rodriguez as the organization’s third-best prospect entering the season, and he continues to sit comfortably inside most national top-100 prospect lists. The talent has never been questioned. Staying on the field has been the challenge.

      Since beginning his professional career in 2021, Rodriguez has yet to appear in more than 99 games during a single season and is averaging just 59 games per year. That reality is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.

      Over the last four years alone, Rodriguez has battled injuries involving both thumbs, his right hip, oblique, abdomen, and left knee. The Twins and Rodriguez spent part of the offseason proactively addressing those concerns, with the outfielder working in the Dominican Republic before heading to Tampa for specialized training with an athletic trainer.

      Unfortunately, baseball development is rarely linear, especially for prospects whose bodies keep betraying them. The Twins still believe Rodriguez has impact bat potential at the major league level. When healthy, he combines power, patience, and athleticism in a way few prospects in the organization can match. But every missed month delays that timeline and creates more questions about how sustainable his future role can be.

      For now, the focus shifts from development to recovery once again.

      Cody Christie

      The Twins are approaching an uncomfortable point with two veteran relievers stashed at Triple-A St. Paul. According to KSTP’s Darren Wolfson, Saints relievers John Brebbia and Matt Bowman both have opt-out clauses in their contracts on Sunday, May 17. If the Twins do not add them to the major league roster, either pitcher could elect free agency.

      That creates an interesting decision for a bullpen that has largely stabilized after a rocky start but still lacks proven depth behind its core group.

      Brebbia entered the season as a relatively intriguing non-roster addition because of his extensive major league track record. The 35-year-old has appeared in parts of eight MLB seasons and, not long ago, was one of the most heavily used relievers in baseball. Back in 2022, he led the National League with 76 appearances while posting a 124 ERA+.

      The recent results, however, have been more uneven. Last season with the Tigers and Braves, Brebbia allowed 20 earned runs across 23 1/3 innings in 22 appearances. The Twins were betting that some underlying traits still pointed toward a useful bullpen arm.

      There are at least a few signs supporting that idea in St. Paul. Brebbia has made 13 appearances for the Saints and struck out 24 of the 81 batters he has faced. His 29.6% strikeout rate is his highest mark in multiple seasons, and he has issued only seven walks in 18 1/3 innings.

      The run prevention numbers have not been particularly attractive. Brebbia owns a 5.40 ERA after allowing 11 earned runs, but his 4.91 FIP suggests the performance may not be quite as poor as the surface stats indicate. The swing-and-miss ability is still there, even though the overall results have remained inconsistent.

      Bowman’s case is different because Twins fans already saw him contribute during the 2024 season. The veteran right-hander appeared in five games for Minnesota in 2024 and posted a 2.35 ERA across 7 2/3 innings. That came during a season in which he bounced between four organizations as a classic waiver-wire journeyman. Last season with Baltimore, Bowman struggled to a 6.20 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 24 2/3 innings, but he has looked significantly sharper with St. Paul this year.

      In 20 1/3 innings, Bowman owns a 1.77 ERA with a 3.20 FIP while striking out 25.9% of opposing hitters. He has also limited walks with a 7.1% walk rate. Perhaps most importantly for a Twins bullpen that has leaned heavily on certain arms, Bowman has provided real flexibility. He has thrown more than one inning in nine of his 13 appearances.

      His recent stretch has been especially impressive. Over the last 28 days, Bowman owns a 1.46 ERA and 0.89 WHIP with 14 strikeouts in 12 1/3 innings. At some point, performance has to matter, especially for a major league bullpen that can never have enough dependable depth options.

      The Twins may ultimately decide roster flexibility is more valuable than protecting either veteran from free agency. That is often the reality with opt-out clauses attached to veteran minor league contracts. Still, Bowman has made a compelling case to get another opportunity.

      He has already shown he can survive in the majors, he is throwing multiple innings consistently, and his production at Triple-A has been difficult to ignore. If the Twins are going to lose one of these relievers anyway, Bowman feels like the pitcher worth betting on before another organization does.

      Cody Christie

      Twins Daily's top ranked prospect Walker Jenkins is once again dealing with an injury, this time after being diagnosed with a Grade 2 AC joint sprain in his left shoulder. The injury occurred on Sunday while playing for Triple-A St. Paul, adding another interruption to what has already been a stop-and-start season.

      The organization announced that Jenkins will be re-evaluated in 10 days, at which point a clearer timetable for his return should become clearer. For now, the expectation is that he will miss at least a couple of weeks while recovering.

      The injury happened on a defensive play in center field when Jenkins made a running catch and carried his momentum into the wall. After securing the ball, he hit the fence hard and immediately went to the ground. He exited the game with a trainer and did not return. Imaging the following day confirmed the shoulder sprain.

      This marks the second time Jenkins has been sidelined this season. The 21-year-old appeared in just four Grapefruit League games before a hamstring injury kept him out of action. When healthy, he has been productive at the plate, hitting .256/.396/.389 across 111 plate appearances with St. Paul.

      Despite the setbacks, Jenkins showed flashes of his upside during a recent stretch against Iowa. Over that series, he went 8-for-18 with four doubles, a home run, four runs batted in, six runs scored, and four walks. It was one of his most complete offensive showings of the season before the injury halted his momentum.

      Durability has been one of the few question marks in Jenkins’ young career. The No. 5 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft has yet to play a full season, appearing in 82 and 84 games during his first two professional campaigns. In 2025, he missed nearly the entire first month after an ankle sprain in minor league camp. The year prior, a hamstring injury on Opening Day sidelined him for six and a half weeks.

      Jenkins is widely regarded as one of the top prospects in baseball, but consistent time on the field has remained elusive. For a Twins organization looking to develop impact talent, his development is critical. Each setback delays that timeline, even if only temporarily.

      The injury news does not stop with Jenkins. Triple-A St. Paul has been hit hard in recent days, with outfield prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez leaving Friday’s game with a left thumb injury after a headfirst slide into first base. Infielder Kaelen Culpepper was also absent from Sunday’s lineup after being hit by a pitch.

      For now, the focus remains on Jenkins’ recovery and his return to the field. The talent is undeniable. The challenge continues to be keeping him there long enough to fully realize it.

      Cody Christie

       

      There is a certain point in every season when the conversation shifts from what a team could be to what it actually is. For the Minnesota Twins, that moment is arriving earlier than anyone hoped. A slow start in the standings has already created urgency, and the idea of reinforcements from St Paul offered a sense of optimism. Over the weekend, that optimism took a hit.

      Walker Jenkins, Twins Daily’s top-ranked prospect, exited Sunday’s game for Triple-A St Paul after a frightening collision in the outfield. With two outs in the sixth inning, he tracked a deep drive into right-center, made the catch, and slammed hard into the wall. Jenkins got to his feet but immediately reached for his left shoulder. He was removed from the game without delay, and the initial concern was evident.

      At just 21 years old, Jenkins is navigating his first full season at Triple-A, and the early returns have been a mix of adjustment and recent progress. After a slow start, he had begun to find a rhythm at the plate with a 1.400 OPS over the last week, showing why he is viewed as a potential impact bat in Minnesota’s future lineup. That momentum now pauses, at least temporarily, as the organization evaluates his shoulder.

      He is not alone. Emmanuel Rodriguez, another top 100 prospect and Twins Daily’s number four-ranked player in the system, also landed on the injury report this weekend. Rodriguez suffered a muscle strain in his left thumb on Friday night when he dove headfirst into first base. The 23-year-old outfielder left the game early, adding another layer of concern for a team already lacking offensive consistency.

      There is at least some reason for cautious optimism with Rodriguez. He was seen taking batting practice on the field at CHS Field on Sunday, suggesting the injury may not require an extended absence. Before the injury, Rodriguez had been one of the Saints’ most productive hitters, posting a .247/.417/.506 slash line across 25 games. His blend of patience and power has long made him a candidate to be the next call when the Twins need a boost.

      That need is becoming more obvious by the day. Minnesota’s lineup has struggled to generate consistent pressure. In that context, the presence of Jenkins and Rodriguez at Triple A represented more than just long-term upside. They were potential solutions, players capable of injecting energy and production into a stagnant offense.

      For a Twins team searching for a spark, the timing could not be worse. Jenkins was beginning to heat up. Rodriguez looked close to forcing the conversation. Now, both timelines are on hold, even if only briefly.

      In the big picture, fans will still need to wait for further news on the injuries. Still, these two players are viewed as key pieces of the organization’s future. In the short term, however, it slows what felt like an inevitable push toward their major league debuts.

      And for a Minnesota club that could use a breath of fresh air, that delay is more than just inconvenient. It is another obstacle in a season that is already trending in the wrong direction.

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