With Byron Buxton serving as the Twins' primary designated hitter while he deals with hip and shoulder injuries, several other players have had to step up in his absence. James Outman and Ryan Kreidler have been handling the bulk of the center fielder duties lately. Additionally, Kody Clemens made his first career start in center field against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on Wednesday and will make his second start at the position against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park tonight.
Many Twins fans are upset with manager Derek Shelton's decision to play Clemens, 30, in center.
I understand wanting the bats in the lineup, but Clemens is the worst Twins center fielder since Mickey Hatcher.
— Mitch Olson (@MitchOl94631961) May 29, 2026
clemens really starting in center?
— dtothemoney (@drizzle26) May 29, 2026
Shelton should do whatever he can to work Clemens into the lineup regularly. Since May 10, the utilityman has slashed .286/.318/.508 (129 wRC+) with two homers, six doubles, a triple and seven RBI.
However, fans are still justified in being confused about Shelton's decision to play Clemens in center. While the son of legendary pitcher Roger Clemens hasn't played enough center for us to decide whether he can play the position at an average level, there's likely a good reason he hasn't started in center until this year.
Shelton's decision to play Clemens in CF over Martin is puzzling
Austin Martin has plenty of center field experience, yet Shelton would rather Clemens play the position. Martin has proved he's a below-average center fielder, posting -11 Defensive Runs Saved and -6 Outs Above Average across 388 2/3 career innings at the position. However, it's still difficult to imagine that Clemens would be much better in center with minimal experience.
Shelton may know that Clemens will prove to be a below-average defensive center fielder and is simply testing his ability to play the position. If Clemens can be even just decent in center, he would be much more valuable for Minnesota. Nonetheless, Clemens will likely never play center field when Buxton is cleared to play defense.
Hopefully, Clemens will prove the doubters wrong by showing he is a solid defensive center fielder. But I wouldn't get my hopes up.
Clemens is scheduled to make his second career start in center field in Game 1 of a three-game set between the Twins and the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on Friday. Right-handed starting pitcher Taj Bradley is scheduled to start for Minnesota. Right-handed starting pitcher Jared Jones, who hasn't made an MLB appearance since Sept. 27, 2024, due to undergoing a UCL internal brace procedure, is slated to start for Pittsburgh. The game is scheduled to begin at 5:45 p.m. CDT and will be available to stream on Apple TV.
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