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

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. 

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