April 20: RHP Jhoan Duran (right oblique strain) eyeing rehab assignment
Duran will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A St. Paul sometime next week, the date of which depends on how he recovers following his 21-pitch bullpen session at Target Field on Friday.
The Friday activity marked Duran’s third ’pen since starting his ramp-up into play. He was shut down in Spring Training after experiencing cramping and tightness in his right side on March 16.
April 19: RHP Josh Staumont (left calf strain) activated; optioned to Triple-A St. Paul
Staumont began a rehab assignment in St. Paul with a scoreless 18-pitch inning on April 9, but he wasn’t expected to immediately land a Major League roster spot once he got healthy. Though his sinker touched 98 mph, it averaged 96, and the four-seamer averaged 93.9. Staumont was said to have fallen in the bullpen prior to his last outing of the spring on March 25 against the Braves, and he ended up going to the IL to begin the season.
“Our goal here is to get him healthy first, and [then] we figure out where the best place is for him to go get ready and pitch and get outs and get him in a position where he can help us at the Major League level,” manager Rocco Baldelli said.
April 16: OF Trevor Larnach recalled from Triple-A St. Paul; OF Matt Wallner optioned to Triple-A St. Paul
Though Wallner was expected to be a significant part of the Twins’ lineup this season (and is still expected to be), he had a very tough start to the season, going 2-for-25 (.080) with 17 strikeouts in 33 plate appearances, and the club is sending him down to St. Paul in the hopes of giving him both a physical and mental “reset,” according to manager Rocco Baldelli.
In his place, the Twins recalled Larnach, who began the season on the Triple-A injured list with turf toe, then played in three rehab games for Single-A Fort Myers.
“Part of it’s that you’ve got to make your own opportunity,” Larnach said. “Part of it, you’ve got to make adjustments on the fly. Part of it’s staying healthy. There’s not too big of a difference between the last couple of years. For me, I just keep reiterating that it’s just understanding how the overall business is and where my place is and stuff like that.”
April 16: INF Tony Kemp signed to Minor League contract
The Twins are in dire need of infield depth due to all the injuries they have in both the Majors and Triple-A St. Paul, which they addressed by signing Kemp to a Minor League deal to bolster the Saints’ roster. Kemp had been designated for assignment by the Orioles last April 10 as their corresponding move for calling up Jackson Holliday, the game’s No. 1 overall prospect.
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10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
RHP Jhoan Duran (right oblique strain)
Expected return: April
Duran will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A St. Paul the week of April 22. Specific dates will be announced once he’s evaluated following a 21-pitch bullpen session at Target Field on April 19, his third ’pen since starting his ramp-up into play. Manager Rocco Baldelli said Duran was slated to throw just 20 pitches, but “he wanted an extra one, so that tells you he’s feeling good.”
An MRI had revealed the oblique strain after Duran planned to throw a live batting practice during Spring Training on March 16, but he was shut down after experiencing cramping and tightness in his side. (Last updated: April 20)
RF Max Kepler (right knee contusion)
Expected return: Maybe April 22
Kepler was slated to play nine innings in right field for Triple-A St. Paul in its game at Indianapolis on April 20. Twins head trainer Nick Paparesta said Kepler is progressing as expected, and he indicated that the veteran right fielder could be back with the Twins shortly.
Kepler experienced soreness in his right knee after fouling a ball off it in Kansas City on March 28. Though he initially played through the issue after a few days of rest, he ended up going to the IL on April 9. (Last updated: April 20)
SS Carlos Correa (mild right intercostal strain)
Expected return: TBD
Correa is slated to begin baseball activity the week of April 22 if he stays on his current progression. Head athletic trainer Nick Paparesta said, “His symptoms are improving dramatically from where we were.”
Correa went on the IL for what was originally described as an oblique strain that he sustained in a loss to the Tigers on April 12, but the Twins later announced that imaging instead revealed a mild right intercostal strain. Manager Rocco Baldelli did not yet have a timeline for Correa’s recovery, but expected to have one by late next week.
Correa had been dealing with sickness that had caused some congestion, coughing and tightness in his sides that flared up as he made a diving stop and took a check swing during that game in Detroit. He was encouraged that he could breathe without feeling the pain and tightness in his side, which he understands would have been the case with a more severe strain.
“It’s not crazy,” Correa said. “Definitely not playable, but when I talked to other people that had bad oblique strains, it’s nothing like that. I can breathe without pain and all that. So yeah, we’ll see.” (Last updated: April 20)
RHP Justin Topa (left patellar tendinitis)
Expected return: April
Topa threw a game-simulated bullpen session at Target Field on April 20. He’s expected to throw live batting practice on April 23, and if all goes well, a rehab assignment is the next step in his recovery.
Topa began the season on the IL due to soreness and inflammation related to left knee tendinitis sustained when he jammed his foot while backing up home plate in an unspecified game late in camp, president of baseball operations Derek Falvey said on March 24. (Last updated: April 20)
RHP Daniel Duarte (right elbow strain)
Expected return: 2025?
Duarte will undergo right elbow surgery on May 8, performed by Dr. Keith Meister in Dallas. He had Tommy John surgery on his right arm 10 years ago. This surgery will either be a total replacement of the graft in his elbow or the installation of a brace to support the current structure. According to head athletic trainer Nick Paparesta, Meister said he wouldn’t know which until he began the procedure. Either way, Duarte is facing a long recovery. (Last updated: April 20)
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