Before the season even started the Minnesota Twins were getting chewed up by the injury bug.
Jhoan Duran, Caleb Thielbar, and Justin Topa all hit the IL prior to Opening Day rolling around, something that out Minnesota's bullpen depth to the test right away. Thankfully the unit has not only managed to tread water but thrive in the absence of three key arms, which is a pretty great sign for how things will go once they return.
That's the big question everyone wants an answer to, and it seems we're getting closer to figuring out what an exact timeline for each pitcher's return will be. Each pitcher started the season on the 10-day IL retroactive to March 26th, which means they're all eligible to return on Arpil 8th.
It doesn't sound like anyone will be back on that exact date, but it might not be that much longer until we see them start to trickle back into the bullpen.
Twins get key injury updates on Jhoan Duran, Caleb Thielbar, and Justin Topa
While we won't be seeing any of the three relivers in the next series against the Dodgers, it does sound like they're all making their way back. Thielbar is the closest to returning, something that Derek Falvey noted during the team's home opener.
He threw live batting practice, which is the surest sign yet that he'll be the first pitcher back. He didn't make any appearances during Spring Training, though, which could push his timeline back but it does sound like he's going to get a rehab assignment at St. Paul this week.
Caleb Thielbar (hamstring) threw live batting practice today to Austin Martin and Manuel Margot and said he came out of it feeling good.
— Betsy Helfand (@betsyhelfand) April 6, 2024
The next step for him is likely a rehab assignment in St. Paul.
He did not pitch in a game during spring training.
As for Duran and Topa, the updates weren't that great on Thursday but things are trending int he right direction.
Duran reportedly no longer feels any pain while throwing and Topa was playing catch without any discomfort. Both threw from a distance as well -- Topa from 75 feet and Duran from 105 feet -- but neither are pitching off the mound yet.
Everyone is eligible to return from the IL next week but it's unlikely that anyone actually gets moved to the 26-man roster. The good news is that the Twins bullpen is off to a tremendous start, ranking as the second-best unit in the league just behind the Detroit Tigers.
It was uncertain how things would go without three key relievers, but as Rocco Badelli pointed out the right guys are stepping up. Minnesota's bullpen has posted a 1.09 ERA and 0.890 WHIP, and it's a unit that is only going to get better once Duran, Thielbar, and Topa get healthy.