Minnesota Twins

Byron Buxton visited with Twins doctors and was seen "moving around about as well as they had seen him move around in a long time." (Source: Betsy Helfand on X)

Fantasy Impact: The 29-year-old did not play a single game in the outfield in 2023, but he may be well enough to get out there in 2024. It's still unclear what the Twins' plan for Buxton is and it will likely still be conservative as he has played 90 games just once since 2017.

The Minnesota Twins have exercised their 2024 club option on infielder Jorge Polanco. (Source: Dan Hayes on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: It was widely expected the Twins would exercise their $10.5 million club option on their prized second baseman. Polanco started the season with an injured knee but went on to hit .255 with 14 home runs, four steals, and a .789 OPS across 343 plate appearances in the 2023 campaign.

The Minnesota Twins have exercised their 2024 club option on outfielder Max Kepler. (Source: Dan Hayes on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: It was widely expected that the Twins would exercise their $10 million club option on Kepler after he enjoyed a nice season at the plate in 2023. The veteran hit a career-high .260 with 24 home runs and a stolen base across 130 appearances.

Alex Kirilloff has been removed from the ALDS roster due to an unspecified injury.` (Source: Do-Hyoung Park on X)

Fantasy Impact: More information on the injury should come soon, but Kirilloff will be replaced by Byron Buxton. He will also not be eligible for the ALCS roster if the Twins advance.

Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa will return from a foot injury to hit sixth in Tuesday's Game 1 versus the Blue Jays. (Source: MLB.com)

Fantasy Impact: It's the first start of the season out of the six-hole for Correa who endured a down season at the plate. The veteran dealt with plantar fasciitis for much of the season while hitting a career-worst .230 with 18 homers and a .711 OPS across 135 games played.

Pablo Lopez is expected to take the mound for the Twins in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series against the Blue Jays. (Source: Jamie Campbell on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: It was a very solid regular season for Lopez where he posted a strong 3.66 ERA. It is likely he will be followed by Sonny Gray in Game 2.

Sonny Gray turned in a solid performance on Thursday, pitching four innings while allowing three hits and one earned run.

Fantasy Impact: Despite the loss, Gray managed to strike out four batters and only walked one. This outing adds to his already impressive season stats, which include a 2.74 ERA, a 1.14 WHIP, and a 9.0 K/9 rate. Gray has been a reliable starter throughout the season, boasting a 3.33 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a .293 BABIP. Despite the lack of wins in this particular game, fantasy owners can continue to rely on Gray's consistent production moving forward.

Wallner's season-long stats have been solid, with a .249 batting average, 13 home runs, and 39 RBI in 72 games played.

Fantasy Impact: While his strikeout rate remains a concern, his ability to drive in runs and hit for power makes him a valuable fantasy asset moving forward.

Bailey Ober put on a dominant performance against the Athletics on Tuesday, allowing only two hits and no earned runs over five innings pitched.

Fantasy Impact: He showcased excellent control, issuing zero walks while striking out eight batters. With this impressive outing, Ober earned his eighth win of the season. Looking at his season-long stats, he has been a reliable starter for the Twins, posting a 3.53 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP in 25 games started. His 8.96 K/9 and 4.72 strikeout-to-walk ratio further demonstrate his ability to miss bats and limit free passes. Fantasy managers should feel confident in starting Ober moving forward, as he has shown the potential to provide quality outings and contribute to multiple fantasy categories.

Twins outfielder Trevor Larnach is out of the starting lineup Tuesday versus the A's. (Source: MLB.com)

Fantasy Impact: Larnach started in left field and went 1-for-3 with a pair of RBI on Sunday against the Angels but will take a seat on Tuesday versus the A's. He has split his season between the Twins and Triple-A St. Paul, hitting .212 with six homers and a stolen base across 53 games in the big leagues.

Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers is on the bench Tuesday versus the A's. (Source: MLB.com)

Fantasy Impact: Jeffers started behind the plate and went 2-for-4 with a homer, a triple, three RBI, and a pair of runs scored in leading his club to a 9-3 win over the Angels. He will give way to Christian Vazquez on Tuesday while he's hitting .270 with 12 homers and three stolen bases across 317 trips to the plate.

Twins catcher Christian Vazquez is back in the starting lineup Tuesday versus the A's. (Source: MLB.com)

Fantasy Impact: Vazquez didn't appear in a 9-3 win over the Angels but will get back into the starting lineup to open a series with the A's on Tuesday. The veteran is hitting .221 with six home runs across 97 appearances on the season.

Twins infielder Donovan Solano is back in the starting lineup Tuesday versus the A's. (Source: MLB.com)

Fantasy Impact: Solano sat out Sunday's win over the Angels but will return and hit third while manning third base on Tuesday. The veteran has had a nice season, hitting .278 with five homers and a .755 OPS across 421 trips to the plate.

Jhoan Duran had a mixed performance in Friday's game against the Angels, as he picked up the save but struggled with his control.

Fantasy Impact: Duran allowed two hits and two walks, resulting in one earned run. He did manage to strike out one batter, but his 34 pitches in just one inning pitched is concerning. Despite this outing, Duran's season-long numbers remain solid, with a 2.54 ERA, a 1.16 WHIP, and an impressive 12.1 K/9. However, his 3.38 strikeout-to-walk ratio suggests that he will need to improve his command moving forward.

Twins outfielder Jordan Luplow has been recalled be the club from Triple-A on Friday. (Source: Do-Hyoung Park on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: The Twins originally announced they had designated Luplow for assignment but instead, he was optioned to Triple-A. He was recalled from the minors on Friday with Royce Lewis hitting the injured list while he has hit .235 with two homers and two stolen bases across 51 at-bats with the Twins on the season.

Minnesota Twins infielder Royce Lewis has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain. (Source: Do-Hyoung Park on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Lewis has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 hamstring strain, the best-case scenario in this situation. The oft-injured former top prospect has been a monster for the Twins in limited action this season, hitting .309 with 15 home runs, six stolen bases, and a .392 wOBA across 58 appearances on the campaign.

Willi Castro had a solid performance in Wednesday's game against the Reds, going 2-for-4 with a solo homer, two runs, and a steal.

Fantasy Impact: This game adds to Castro's season totals of nine home runs, 32 stolen bases, and a .252 batting average. While his strikeout rate remains a concern, Castro's ability to contribute in multiple categories makes him a valuable asset in fantasy baseball leagues.

Despite a 4.28 ERA, Maeda's 9.9 K/9 and solid strikeout-to-walk ratio of 4.31 suggest he can provide valuable strikeouts and control for fantasy owners down the stretch.

Fantasy Impact: With a strong performance like this, Maeda could be a reliable option for fantasy teams in need of pitching help.

Twins outfielder Michael Taylor is not in the starting lineup Tuesday versus the Reds. (Source: MLB.com)

Fantasy Impact: Taylor had a tough night in going 0-for-3 with a pair of strikeouts on Monday and will take a seat for the middle game of a three-game set against the Reds on Tuesday. The veteran has provided some power and speed with 20 homers and 13 stolen bases on the season but is also hitting just .227 across 121 appearances.

Edouard Julien had a standout performance in Sunday's game against the White Sox, contributing significantly to the Twins' 4-0 win.

Fantasy Impact: Julien went 1-for-4 at the plate, but made his hit count by launching a home run and driving in three runs. This display of power and run production is a positive sign for Julien's fantasy outlook going forward. Although his season-long numbers have been solid, with a .264 batting average, 14 home runs, and 30 RBI in 98 games played, this performance shows that he has the ability to come through in clutch situations. Fantasy managers should take note of Julien's potential to provide timely hits and drive in runs, making him a valuable asset in deeper leagues.