Yesterday morning, Ryan Kreidler and James Outman seemed like the most likely candidates to be forced off the Minnesota Twins' 26-man roster when Royce Lewis returns from the injured list. Lewis, who went 2-for-7 with two homers in two rehab games with Triple-A St. Paul last weekend, is expected to rejoin the Twins for the series opener against the Mets in New York on Tuesday, according to MLB.com.
However, after the Twins scratched outfielder Matt Wallner from yesterday's lineup due to a lingering rib injury, Minnesota may place Wallner on the IL as a corresponding move to activating Lewis. Wallner's injury doesn't appear to be too serious, but given his struggles, a stint on the 10-day IL could be just what he needs.
Matt Wallner's struggles are impossible for Twins to ignore
Wallner has been the Twins' least valuable player by far this season, per bWAR (-0.7). James Outman has the second-lowest bWAR on the team with -0.3.
In 81 plate appearances across 20 games this year, Wallner has hit .181/.272/.333 (71 OPS+) with an American League-leading 34 strikeouts. Wallner has also struggled defensively, posting -5 Defensive Runs Saved, tied for the worst in MLB with Twins shortstop Brooks Lee.
The Twins could also consider demoting Wallner to Triple-A rather than placing him on the IL. I'd still bet on Outman or Kreidler losing their roster spots, but Wallner is clearly lost at the plate and has been a liability in the field. If Wallner is still on the 26-man roster for Tuesday's game against the Mets, the outfielder will have to step up his game quickly to avoid being forced off the team soon.
If the Twins place Wallner on the IL or demote him to Triple-A, Minnesota's outfield will likely mainly consist of Trevor Larnach in left field, Byron Buxton in center and Austin Martin in left. Larnach has proved his doubters wrong thus far in 2026, hitting .265/.468/.412 (152 OPS+) with one homer, two doubles and seven RBI. Buxton got off to a slow start at the plate but has heated up recently, collecting nine hits, including three homers, in his last 26 at-bats while playing outstanding center field defense. Martin has easily been Minnesota's best hitter this year with a .311/.484/.444 (166 OPS+) slash line, one homer, three doubles and five RBI.
The Twins' series opener against the Mets, who have lost 11 straight games, at Citi Field is scheduled to begin at 6:10 p.m. CST on Tuesday. Righty Mick Abel (1-2, 3.98 ERA) is scheduled to start on the mound for Minnesota, and righty Nolan McLean (1-1, 2.28 ERA) is slated to start for New York.
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