Twins News: Joey Gallo placed on IL, but a top prospect is about to replace him

It took a few days but the worst fear of Twins fans was realized on Tuesday. Joey Gallo is headed to the injured list after hurting the right side of his body last Friday. 

If that sounds like a generic or vague injury description, it’s because it is. Gallo exited Friday’s home opener win over the Houston Astros with right side soreness. He’s been held out of the lineup ever since, missing the remainder of the series against the Astros and the first two games against the Chicago White Sox.

Prior to the second game of the Sox series on Tuesday, it appeared that Gallo might be working his way back. He was swinging inside of the Twins clubhouse before the game and in what seemed to be an indication that he’d make his way back into the lineup. 

It turns out that’s not the case. 

Shortly after everyone got all excited about Gallo possibly coming back, the Twins placed him on the IL. 

While it’s nothing to be excited about, Gallo hitting the IL to recover may have opened the door for a hotly anticipated Twins prospect to make his Major League debut. 

Shortly after Gallo was placed on the injured list, Edouard Julien was pulled from the St. Paul Saints game on Tuesday. Minnesota didn’t announce a corresponding roster move but it doesn’t take Detective Clouseau to put two and two together. 

It’s a move that is identical to one made to Max Kepler on Saturday. To make up for Kepler’s loss, the Twins promoted Matt Wallner who is considered to be a Top 5 prospect in the Twins farm system. 

Julien is even better, and seems second to only Brooks Lee in terms of prospects that Twins fans are excited to see and are hoping will make an impact on the team’s future.