Keaschall played second base for half of a Triple-A spring training game Tuesday, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
It was his first game in the field after undergoing Tommy John surgery last August. He made a strong impression against major-league spring competition by hitting a home run with an .813 OPS while playing DH and pinch hitting. He'll likely begin the season at Double-A but could be in the majors this summer.
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Twins' Royce Lewis: Yet to begin baseball activities
Rotowire
Lewis (hamstring) has yet to begin baseball activities, besides throwing, and the swelling in his injured hamstring could last two weeks, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
Lewis is set to begin the season on the injured list after suffering a moderate left hamstring strain March 16. While there's no timetable for his return, it sounds like he could be out until late April if it's going to be a few weeks before he's able to ramp up his activity.
Dobnak has been awarded the final spot in the Twins' bullpen, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
Dobnak was sent to minor-league camp earlier this month, but with Brock Stewart (hamstring) and Michael Tonkin (shoulder) slated for injured-list stints, the Twins were in need of bullpen reinforcements. The 30-year-old Dobnak will need to be added to the 40-man and 26-man rosters before Opening Day.
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Twins' Edouard Julien: Set to make final roster
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Julien has unofficially won a spot on Minnesota's 26-man roster to begin the season with Austin Martin optioned to Triple-A, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
Julien was on the roster bubble, but will make the team with both Royce Lewis and Brooks Lee set to begin the season on the injured list. Julien could get playing time at second base and DH early in the season against right-handed pitching.
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Twins' Austin Martin: Fails to make Opening Day roster
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The Twins optioned Martin to Triple-A St. Paul on Monday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
He lost out on the final outfielder spot to DaShawn Keirsey. Martin had focused primarily on playing the outfield this spring, but he can also play the infield and could return to more of a utility role at St. Paul.
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Twins' DaShawn Keirsey: Makes Minnesota's roster
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The Twins informed Keirsey on Monday that he has made the Opening Day roster, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Keirsey earned the spot after hitting .275 with one home run and three stolen bases during Grapefruit League play. The 27-year-old can handle all three outfield spots and will operate mostly as a backup, although he could draw some starts in the outfield on days the Twins use Trevor Larnach, Byron Buxton or Matt Wallner at designated hitter.
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Twins' Jose Miranda: Likely to open season at hot corner
Rotowire
Miranda could be primed to see the bulk of the starts at third base for the Twins to begin the season with both Royce Lewis (hamstring) and Brooks Lee (back) headed for the injured list, Phil Miller of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
After Lewis suffered a moderate hamstring strain March 16, Miranda already appeared in good shape to see near-everyday at-bats while seeing reps at third base, first base and designated hitter, but the back injury Lee sustained last week only further increases the need for Miranda to fill in at the hot corner. The Twins also have super-utility man Willi Castro on hand to play third, but the injury to Lee as well as Edouard Julien's defensive deficiencies likely make Castro in greater need at second base. After Lewis got injured Opening Day of last season, Miranda stepped in as his primary replacement and posted an .852 OPS over his first 90 games with the Twins, but he struggled down the stretch while also managing a back injury and finished with a .284/.322/.441 slash line in 429 plate appearances. If Miranda can recapture the form he displayed in the first half of the 2024 campaign, he should be in good shape to hold down a regular spot in the lineup at DH or first base once Lewis and Lee are back to full health.
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Twins' Mickey Gasper: Cracks Opening Day roster
Rotowire
Gasper said that he's fine after suffering a left ankle laceration in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox, and noted Monday that he has been told he made the Twins' Opening Day roster, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
Gasper received six stitches to seal the cut, which he suffered when he was spiked by teammate Brandon Winokur while attempting to field a groundball. The laceration is not expected to hinder him moving forward, and Gasper has earned a spot on the Opening Day roster after slashing .289/.404/.395 this spring. The switch hitter is capable of handling first base, second base and catcher.
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Twins' Scott Blewett: Denied Opening Day roster spot
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Blewett was told Saturday he won't make Minnesota's major league roster, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.
Blewett was attending camp as a non-roster invitee, so unless he's released or his minor-league deal contains an opt-out clause that allows him to enter free agency, he'll likely begin the season at Triple-A St. Paul and add bullpen depth. The 28-year-old made 12 appearances out of the Minnesota bullpen in 2024, logging a 1.77 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 18:8 K:BB in 20.1 innings.
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Twins' Eiberson Castellano: Fails to make roster
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The Twins informed Castellano that he won't make the Opening Day roster Sunday, so the club must place him on waivers, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
The 23-year-old was plucked from the Phillies during the Rule 5 Draft in December but struggled to a 7.59 ERA and 13:10 K:BB over 10.2 innings during spring training. Castellano will be offered back to Philadelphia if he passes through waivers unclaimed.
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Twins' Mickey Gasper: Receives stitches on ankle
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Gasper received six stitches for a left ankle laceration after leaving Sunday's spring game against the Red Sox, Phil Miller of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
The 29-year-old collided with teammate Brandon Winokur while attempting to field a groundball and appeared to catch a spike. Gasper was acquired from the Red Sox in December and hit well during spring training with a .289/.404/.395 slash line in 47 plate appearances.
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Twins' Brooks Lee: Requires IL stint
Rotowire
Lee said Sunday that he will start the regular season on the 10-day injured list due to lower-back tightness, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
The 24-year-old has been sidelined by the injury the past few days and won't be recovered in time for Thursday's season opener. Lee was expected to have a regular role at third base with Royce Lewis managing a hamstring strain, but now both players will begin the season on the shelf. Willi Castro and Jose Miranda are the likeliest candidates to see action at the hot corner.
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Twins' Brooks Lee: Still sidelined with back issue
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Lee (back) didn't participate in on-field pregame drills Saturday and is not expected to play in Sunday's spring training game, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports. He had an MRI on his back Friday, MLB.com reports.
Lee hasn't played since he was scratched from Thursday's game due to lower-back tightness. If he misses more time, there's a good chance he'll begin the season on the injured list. Assuming any absence isn't lengthy, Lee looks set to get the bulk of playing time at third base with Royce Lewis likely out several weeks with a hamstring injury.
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Twins' Brock Stewart: Will begin season on IL
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Stewart (hamstring) will begin the season on the injured list as he builds up to be ready for the regular season, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports. He threw 20 pitches in a minor-league game Saturday.
Stewart departed his last Grapefruit League appearance March 15 with a left hamstring issue, but he's since returned to action, most recently throwing 20 pitches in a minor-league game Saturday. Due to the time he missed in camp, however, the Twins will proceed slowly with Stewart, who could be activated to make his 2025 debut at some point in the first half of April.
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Twins' Brock Stewart: Throws bullpen session
Rotowire
Stewart (hamstring) threw a successful bullpen session Thursday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.
Stewart had to depart his last Grapefruit League appearance Saturday against Atlanta with a left hamstring issue. He plans to appear in a game Saturday, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports. If so, he should have a good shot to avoid the injured list if he can avoid a setback.
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Twins' Brooks Lee: Sitting with back tightness
Rotowire
Lee was scratched from the lineup ahead of Thursday's Grapefruit League game against Boston due to lower-back tightness, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Lee has been given the day-to-day label by the team, so there's no reason to believe his injury is anything serious. He'll take a day to recover Thursday; meanwhile, Jose Miranda will pick up some extra reps at the hot corner before the start of the season.
Alcala is expected to be included in Minnesota's Opening Day bullpen, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports. He's thrown nine scoreless innings with a 5:2 K:BB ratio this spring.
Given Alcala's 3.24 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in 54 outings in 2024, his roster status shouldn't really be in question, but the Twins curiously sent him to the minors several times last year. Alcala has outstanding velocity with an average fastball of 97.9 mph, reaching a career-high 101.2 mph last summer. His strikeout rates haven't been as overpowering (8.95 K/9 last season) as he's struggled to get hitters to chase with a 19th percentile chase rate, but he limits hard contact (91st percentile hard-hit rate). He should be in the setup mix again this season if he can stay healthy and could be a good source of holds.
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Twins' Louis Varland: Likely to win bullpen role
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Varland is expected to make the Twins' major-league roster as a reliever, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports. He's thrown nine scoreless innings with a 5:2 K:BB ratio this spring.
Manager Rocco Baldelli hasn't confirmed the move to the bullpen in an attempt to keep his options open, but Varland hasn't been building up innings to work as a starter this spring. The right-hander struggled last season as a starter in Triple-A with a 4.75 ERA. As a reliever in the majors during 2023, he showed promise with a 1.50 ERA in 12 innings and a 17:1 K:BB. Varland could soon be in the high-leverage mix due to a fastball that can touch triple digits.
