Tuesday was a banner day for the Minnesota Twins on the injury front, which is saying a lot given how things have gone so far this season.
Minnesota lost as many as six key players over the first month of the season, with Royce Lewis being perhaps the most critical loss. He remains out for at least another month, but everyone else seems to be working their way back.
Carlos Correa returned to the lineup on Monday, Caleb Thielbar and Max Kepler have also returned, and the Twins activated star closer Jhoan Duran on Tuesday.
News of Duran's return was joined by more good injury news, as Twins fans were gifted to a massive -- and positive -- update on top prospect Brooks Lee.
It sounds like Brooks Lee might be back in action for the Twins soon
Lee joined a slew of key players who started the season on the IL, as back spasms were initially blamed for setting him back. It was later revealed that he had a herniated disk in his back and that his timeline for returning was all screwed up.
Things seem to be turning around, though.
KTSP's Darren Wolfson dropped an update on Lee while chatting with the SKOR North guys, and it's all good news.
"He's hitting, taking some ground balls and light catching. He will start running ," Wolson reported. "If everything goes as planned, he's start playing in rehab games on May 15th likely in Fort Myers. The Twins are admittedly taking it slow with him but his back is feeling just about 100 percent as of yesterday."
This is just the latest 'pinch me' moment Twins fans have had, as good vibes are truly flowing. An offense that was historically bad has suddenly come to life, a team that appeared hopelessly under .500 is on an eight game winning streak, and now there's positive momentum building around Lee.
His injury couldn't have come at a more inoportune time. Had he not been dealing with a herniated disk, chances are Lee would have gotten called up after Lewis was placed on the IL. Even if he hadn't been called up then, he certainly would have been a replacement for Max Kepler or Carlos Correa when they hit the IL with injuries of their own.
This latest update might put him back on track to get called up before Lewis returns. It seems like the Twins might not get their star third baseman back until closer to the All-Star Break and there's going to be no rush to get him back before he's ready.
Lee could fill that gap once he's healthy, which has ended up turning into a rich-getting-richer situation. Jose Miranda has turned back the clock to look more like the guy he was in 2022 and the Twins could end up with a logjam of Lewis, Miranda, and Lee -- a beautiful problem for the team to have.