We haven't even reached Opening Day yet and the injury bug is already feasting on the Minnesota Twins.
On Monday the Twins announced that four pitchers would be hitting the IL to start the season: Anthony DeSclafani, Jhoan Duran, Caleb Thielbar, and Matt Canterino. There's already growing concern that DeSclafani's season is already over, although he's undergoing further testing to see exactly how bad things are.
It's not promising that we've already reached this phase, but the upside is that the Twins have a deep enough roster to navigate the beginning of the season.
Minnesota Twins Opening Day roster projection after Anthony DeSclafani injury
Twins Opening Day starting rotation
It could be argued that the starting rotation is the area most significantly impacted by the barrage of injuries, but the Twins have a pretty good contigency plan in place. Even before DeSclafani was potentially lost for the season, Louie Varland was giving him a run for his money as the fifth starter.
Now the role seems to be firmly his to lose, and based on what we've seen so far that might not end up happening.
Varland has been lights out so far this spring, posting a 0.640 WHIP while striking out 11 batters and allowing zero runs on six hits across 11 innings of work. We saw him begin to take some steps last year, specifically after he returned to the MLB roster and came out of the bullpen, but it appears he's starting to turn a corner.
Pitcher | Throws |
|---|---|
Pablo Lopez | RHP |
Joe Ryan | RHP |
Bailey Ober | RHP |
Chris Paddack | RHP |
Louie Varland | RHP |
Just Missed The Cut:
- David Festa
- Simeon Woods Richardson
Previous projections had four potential starters vying for a roster spot, but injuries have shurnk that list considerably. Matt Canterino is starting the season on the IL as well, which leaves rookies David Festa and Simeon Woods Richardson as the only other guys in the pipeline.