Injuries & Moves: Duran (oblique) shut down
LATEST NEWS
March 18: INF Jose Miranda and OF Trevor Larnach optioned to Triple-A; RHP Jordan Balazovic reassigned to Minor League camp
Miranda had a strong spring, hitting .320 with four RBIs across nine games. With fellow left-handed batter Matt Wallner projected to start this season, Larnach didn't have a clear path to consistent playing time.
"Those guys had nice springs. They came in ready to play. They came in ready to compete," manager Rocco Baldelli said. "We’re fortunate to have some good players and some good depth, and I think those guys are going to help us. They’re going to help us win this year. We’re going to have to call upon them.
"We’re going to need them. We’re going to need them to be ready to play at a high level when we call them up. I assume that’s going to happen. You just don’t know when."
Balazovic recorded an 8.59 ERA over seven outings (one start) this spring.
The Twins now have 41 players in Major League camp.
March 18: OF Byron Buxton scratched
Buxton was a late scratch from Monday's 5-2 win over the Red Sox as a precaution after the Twins said the center fielder was experiencing lower back tightness on his right side. Manuel Margot slid over to center with No. 16 prospect Kala'i Rosario slotting in at left and batting ninth.
Following the win, manager Rocco Baldelli said that Buxton took some swings in the cages during the game.
INJURY UPDATES
RHP Jhoan Duran (right oblique strain)
Expected return: TBD
Duran planned to throw a live batting practice on March 16, but was shut down after the hard-throwing righty experienced cramping and tightness in his side. An MRI exam taken at the club's facility in Fort Myers, Fla., revealed a moderate oblique strain.
President of baseball operations Derek Falvey said on March 18 that the club should have a better idea of Duran's timeline within the week. (Last updated: March 18)
RHP Anthony DeSclafani (right forearm strain)
Expected return: TBD
President of baseball operations Derek Falvey announced on March 18 that DeSclafani would start the 2024 season on the injured list.
DeSclafani last pitched in a Minor League game on March 16, throwing 36 pitches over two innings. Following the outing, he felt some tenderness in the same spot that sidelined the right-hander in 2023. DeSclafani is slated to be evaluated by Dr. Meister in Texas before the Twins decide on a course of action. (Last updated: March 18)
LHP Caleb Thielbar (left hamstring strain)
Expected return: TBD
Despite feeling good in his build up, Thielbar experienced some tightness and tenderness during his last throwing session and was shut down, president of baseball operations Derek Falvey said on March 18. There is currently no timeline for the lefty, but he is expected to start the season on the injured list.
Thielbar threw live batting practice on the back fields on March 9 and March 12 to an assortment of Major League hitters, including a 24-pitch session on the latter day. He originally sustained the left hamstring strain during his conditioning exercises in late February. (Last updated: March 18)
RHP Zack Weiss (right teres major strain)
Expected return: Late March
Weiss is tracking toward pitching rehab games with Triple-A St. Paul, president of baseball operations Derek Falvey said on March 18.
Weiss suffered a strain to the teres major in the right rotator cuff in late February, and he isn't expected to engage in throwing activities until late in the first full week of March. (Last updated: March 18)
60-DAY INJURED LIST
RHP Josh Winder (right scapula stress fracture)
Expected return: June
Winder threw his first bullpen session of the spring on March 9, a 15-pitch session at normal effort involving only fastballs. He will continue to ramp up slowly until around Opening Day, at which point he expects a more normal Spring Training-like buildup will begin.
He is tracking behind in his buildup due to a stress fracture he sustained in his right shoulder area last fall, which he said was due to his workload throughout his 2023 season. After undergoing imaging in October, Winder was prescribed rest to allow the fracture to heal, after which he started to throw in January. President of baseball operations Derek Falvey indicated that the 60-day IL placement isn't an indication of any setbacks. (Last updated: March 13)