MLB Player News

Kjerstad went 1-for-4 with an RBI in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against Detroit and is now batting .257 (9-for-35) with one home run, six RBI and one stolen base this spring.

The 2020 first-rounder appears to be on track for a bench role to begin 2025, but Kjerstad's most likely pathway to regular at-bats looks to be blocked at the moment by veteran slugger Ryan O'Hearn at designated hitter. With that said, O'Hearn has gone just 4-for-30 with a lone extra-base hit during spring training, and he could start to feel Kjerstad nipping at his heels for work at some point if his struggles carry into the regular season. Kjerstad could be hard-pressed to find reps in the outfield early on, with Colton Cowser going 12-for-31 with two homers, six RBI and two steals in exhibition action.

Lewis (hamstring) is expected to begin the season on the injured list, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Lewis strained his left hamstring strain while running to first base Sunday in the Twins' 6-5 loss to the Red Sox in Grapefruit League play Monday. He's scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday to determine the severity of the injury, but he could be out for much of April. He suffered another soft-tissue injury -- a right quadricep strain -- on Opening Day last season and ended up missing 58 games.

Paddack will begin the season in the Minnesota rotation with David Festa and Zebby Matthews optioned to Triple-A, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports.

Paddack showed he was healthy in his last start after suffering a head contusion when a liner deflected off his glove in his previous outing. Paddack, who didn't pitch in the majors after July last year due to a forearm strain, showed he's back to full strength this spring even if his numbers are not overly impressive. He has a 5.59 ERA with nine strikeouts and no walks over 9.2 innings this spring.

Woods Richardson will begin the season in the Minnesota rotation with David Festa and Zebby Matthews optioned to Triple-A, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports.

Woods Richardson has looked sharp this spring by allowing one run in 11 innings with a 9:2 K:BB. Richardson had his first success in the majors last year with a revamped delivery and increased velocity but ran out of gas late in the season, posting a 5.91 ERA and 4.6 BB/9 in his last 11 starts.

Keaschall was reassigned to Minnesota's minor-league camp Sunday, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports.

Keaschall was limited to only batting during most of spring training due to his recovery from Tommy John surgery last August. He made a strong impression against major-league spring competition by hitting a home run with a .813 OPS. He'll likely begin the season at Double-A but could be in the majors this summer.

Funderburk was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports.

It's a little surprising Funderburk was sent to the minors among the first wave of cuts given the injuries to several veterans (Michael Tonkin, Brock Stewart and Justin Topa) in the bullpen. He could be called up early in the season if the Twins need another lefty in the bullpen.

Matthews was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports.

Matthews had a strong showing in spring training with 9.1 scoreless innings and a 12:1 K:BB. He could be the first starter called up when a spot opens in the rotation. Matthews could still find success in the majors this season with his minuscule walk rate (1.0 BB/9 career in minors), strong strikeout rate (10.2 K/9 career in minors) and velocity.

Festa was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports.

Festa was a candidate to win a rotation spot, but struggled with an 11.94 ERA and 11: 3 K:BB in 11.1 innings this spring. Festa showed promise last season with a 10.8 K/9 and 12.7 percent swinging strike rate, but he recorded a 4.40 ERA (though a 3.75 FIP) in 14 games with the Twins. He could join the rotation early in the season if there's an opening.

Leiter (back) said he felt good during his bullpen session Sunday and expects to be ready for Opening Day, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

It was reported earlier Sunday that Leiter didn't throw his live batting practice session as scheduled, but he still ended up taking the mound. The right-hander has been slowed the past few days by the back issue but could be good to go for the start of the season.

Schmidt won't start Monday's spring game as scheduled due to shoulder soreness, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander has been having some issues in his recovery between outings, with manager Aaron Boone saying that Schmidt has not been "getting all the way back to how he normally would." According to Erik Boland of Newsday, Schmidt isn't headed for medical testing and is still expected to throw a bullpen session Monday, so it's possible he's ready to go for the start of the season.