Minnesota Twins

The Twins placed SP Joe Ryan on the Covid-IL prior to Wednesday's game against the Tigers. (Source: Do-Hyoung Park on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Devin Smeltzer will take Joe Ryan's place in the rotation and start Thursday's game against the Royals. The 25-year-old righty is having an excellent season with record of 5-2 while tallying a 4.05 ERA and 0.79 WHIP.

After missing major league action for a couple weeks, Trevor Larnach (groin) could be activated in time for Sunday's game per Dan Hayes of The Athletic. (Source: Dan Hayes on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Larnach has dealt with a right groin strain, which placed him on the injured list and lead to a rehab assignment with Double-A Wichita. The 25-year-old will likely regain his every day spot in left field once activated.

Byron Buxton went 0-for-4 on Wednesday but walked twice and scored two runs during the 14-4 route over the Athletics.

Fantasy Impact: The Twins superstar has reached base in four straight games including a pair of homers and five runs during that stretch. Buxton appears to be on his way to a career-high in homers with 11 long balls already this season. He just needs to avoid the injury bug so he can live up to his immense potential.

Sonny Gray (1-1) cruised to victory on Wednesday afternoon against the Athletics during the 14-4 win. The right-hander went six innings allowing two runs on six hits. He didn't issue any walks and struck out five.

Fantasy Impact: Gray extended past the five-inning mark for the first time this season on Wednesday to pick up his first win of the year. He has allowed only four total runs over his last three starts (14 1/3 innings) while striking out 20 during that stretch. The righty will look to build on his recent success next Tuesday against the Tigers in what could be the first of two starts next week.

Dylan Bundy threw just 54 pitches on Tuesday against the Athletics, going three innings. He allowed a pair of hits and no runs while walking two and registering three strikeouts.

Fantasy Impact: In his return from the COVID list, Bundy was on a pitch count during his first start in two weeks. He pitched well and should see a steady increase to his pitch count in his next scheduled outing on Monday against the Tigers in a two-start week.

The Twins optioned SS Royce Lewis to Triple-A St. Paul ahead of SS Carlos Correa's return from a wrist injury. (Source: Dan Hayes on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: In 11 games with Minnesota, Lewis batted .324/.342/.595 with two homers and four doubles. Fantasy managers should hold in dynasty formats, but he is also a good hold in redraft if there is room on the roster to stash him.

Carlos Correa is expected to return to the Minnesota Twins lineup on Tuesday after missing 10 games due to a right finger contusion. He was originally placed on the 10-day IL on May 10 (retroactive to May 6).

Fantasy Impact: A welcome return for the Twins starting shortstop as he will join his teammates for a road tilt against Oakland. Correa is hitting .255/.320/.372 with two home runs and 11 RBI so far this season. Fantasy managers surely hope that he hits the ground running and starts to produce the numbers they expected when they drafted him. Royce Lewis has filled in at shortstop admirably, hitting .286 with a home run and four RBI over Correa's 10-game absence, and looks like he will stay with the club for now.

Jorge Polanco went 1-for-4 at the plate including an RBI single in the third inning to start the scoring during the 3-1 win over the A's.

Fantasy Impact: Polanco has at least one hit in 14 of his last 16 games. He has a .295 average with six doubles and a pair of long balls during that stretch to raise his season average up to .240. The slugging infielder might not be able to recapture the 30-plus home run power of a year ago but remains a strong option at second base in fantasy leagues.

Chris Archer tossed four innings on Monday allowing one run on two hits to the A's. He did not factor in the decision of the 3-1 win while allowing a pair of walks and two strikeouts.

Fantasy Impact: Through seven starts this season, Archer still hasn't pitched long enough to qualify for a win maxing out at 4 1/3 innings pitched. His overall numbers are decent with a 4.10 ERA and 1.405 WHIP but if he can't stretch out to more than five innings it is tough to use him in fantasy leagues when he can never qualify for a win or quality start.

The Minnesota Twins have sent Alex Kirilloff to Triple-A St. Paul. In a corresponding move, the Twins selected the contract of left-handed pitcher Devin Smeltzer. (Source: @AaronGleeman)

Fantasy Impact: The hope is that Kirilloff can get consistent at-bats as he works his way back for a wrist injury. He does offer fantasy managers some positional versatility on their roster once he returns to the majors.

The Twins placed Chris Paddack on the IL with right elbow inflammation on Tuesday. The team called up Jharel Cotton from Triple-A to take Paddack's place on the roster. (Source: Do-Hyoung Park on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Paddack is reportedly seeking multiple opinions on his elbow and surgery is a possibility. That almost certainly means that Paddack's recovery is likely to take weeks, if not months, and fantasy managers should prepare themselves for a lengthy absence. The Twins should provide further updates as news comes out.

Luis Arraez tested positive for COVID-19 Thursday and will be placed on the COVID IL. (Source: Betsy Helfand on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: In addition to Arraez, Dylan Bundy and manager Rocco Baldelli have tested positive as COVID-19 has infiltrated the Twins clubhouse. Arraez will likely be out for at least ten days unless he can clear protocols earlier. Arraez is slashing .301/.378/.370 this year.

Max Kepler was removed from Tuesday's game against the Orioles with an illness, but tested negative for COVID. (Source: Betsy Helfand on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Kepler should be considered day-to-day and since he is negative for COVID he could return to game action today if he is feeling better. Monitor the situation if you play in a daily lineup league.

Miguel Sano missed several games last week with a sore knee, which turned out to be a torn meniscus that will require surgery. (Source: Dan Hayes on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Sano tried to play in Saturday's game after sitting out Wednesday through Friday. Sano did not complete the game which makes sense now that we know his meniscus is torn. There is no timetable for his return at the moment.

On Monday, the Twins placed OF Kyle Garlick on the 10-day IL with a right calf strain. (Source: Betsy Helfand on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: In 21 at-bats, Garlick has a slash line of .238/.385/.667 with three home runs. He had been a sneaky add in OBP leagues, but he can now be dropped in all formats save for those with excess IL slots.

The Twins have called up 3B Jose Miranda after placing Miguel Sano and Kyle Garlick on the IL. (Source: Betsy Helfand on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: The former Twins' minor league player of the year will receive his first taste of major-league action. He has struggled a bit in 2022, going 22-for-86 with a slash line of .256/.295/.442 through the first 21 games. However, last season, he slashed .343/.397/.563 with 17 home runs and 56 RBIs. Fantasy managers who roster him should activate him, and those who are looking for third-base help should take a flyer on the 23-year-old.

Gilberto Celestino went 2-for-4 with two singles and a run scored in Sunday's 9-3 win over the Rays.

Fantasy Impact: Celestino now has five hits in his last three games played, as he is amidst his best stretch of the year. However, the outfielder is mainly a spot starter for Minnesota and shouldn't be considered in fantasy.

Gary Sanchez went 1-for-5 with an RBI single in Sunday's 9-3 win over the Rays.

Fantasy Impact: Sanchez has been relatively inconsistent all season, and this was shown on Sunday when he followed up an RBI single in the first with three strikeouts at the plate to finish his day. On top of this, the power output hasn't been there to make up for the catcher's inconsistency, which is a huge blow to his fantasy value. Unless he improves upon his one home run this season soon, Sanchez isn't a strong fantasy option.

Josh Winder allowed two hits while striking out seven in six scoreless innings of Sunday's 9-3 win over the Rays.

Fantasy Impact: Winder was dominant in his first start of 2022 on Sunday, allowing just three baserunners all day. The righthander had largely been used in long relief situations this season, so it will be interesting to see what direction the Twins decide to go with him.

Ryan Jeffers went 2-for-5 with an RBI single and a double in Saturday's 9-1 win over the Rays.

Fantasy Impact: Jeffers now has had a two-hit performance in three of his last five games played for the Twins. The catcher has been very streaky to start 2022, and this inconsistency can leave him on waivers in fantasy.