The Twins have started off slow in 2025, having won just five games in their first 16 amidst a tough AL Central division.
Despite the exceptionally poor start, the Twins are still a force to be reckoned with. They have a blossoming pitching staff and an offense that, on paper, should be among the best in the American League. There are just a few obstacles that get in the way of this, with arguably the most major barrier being something that has long affected the Twins: injuries.
Injuries have been a thorn in the Minnesota Twins' side over the past few years. In 2024 alone, the Twins missed loads of potential production from notable starters such as center fielder Byron Buxton, shortstop Carlos Correa and starting pitcher Joe Ryan.
Concerns about injuries continued even before the start of the 2025 season for the Twins when third baseman Royce Lewis, who has dealt with a sleuth of injuries since 2021, landed on the injured list due to a moderate hamstring strain during spring training. Lewis is slated to begin a rehab assignment in a couple of weeks, according to Phil Miller of the Minnesota Star Tribune.
More recently, Pablo Lopez joined the list of casualties with his own hamstring strain, landing on the 15-day injured list on April 11 following a loss to the Royals the previous night.
It's not hard to imagine that missing crucial players over a stretch of the season is rather detrimental to a team's playoff push. This was most evident when the Twins collapsed toward the end of the 2024 season when it seemed they were playoff-bound in August.
Every team has to deal with injuries from time to time, almost to a point where it's a given. However, it seems with the Twins, it's always to integral players. It doesn't help that Minnesota's best players seem to have an extensive history of injuries.
In order for the Twins to win the AL Central, they will need the players listed above to perform at a high level and be healthy.