FEBRUARY 21, 2023 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM
MINNESOTA TWINS 82-80 · 4TH IN AL CENTRAL
82-80 · 4TH IN AL CENTRAL
Jim Souhan: Twins' Gordon stronger, smiling and set for best season yet FORT MYERS, FLA. — Nick Gordon's development into a valuable super-utility player became one of the highlights of the Twins' 2022 season. To...
Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes: Ranking every MLB team's chances to sign him
Where will Shohei Ohtani play next year? It's the biggest question in baseball, and our MLB staff ranked every teams' chances.FEBRUARY 20, 2023
Predictions for the Twins, AL Central: What the projection systems, oddsmakers say Have the Twins closed enough ground on the Guardians? And do the White Sox still have the star power for a three-team race?
FEBRUARY 20, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Jhoan Duran vs. Carlos Correa highlights Twins camp The young righthander hit 102 miles per hour on the radar gun — in February.
FEBRUARY 20, 2023 • STARTRIBUNE.COM
Buxton easing into camp activities, on track for Opening Day FORT MYERS, Fla. -- It might take some time before Byron Buxton builds up to fully participating in all activities with his teammates this s...
FEBRUARY 20, 2023 • MLB.COM
What's it like facing Jhoan Duran? 'Not fun.' Duran touched 102 miles per hour in live batting practice on Sunday.
FEBRUARY 19, 2023 • TWINCITIES.COM
Jose Miranda - Prepping for everyday role at 3B Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said in December that Miranda is on track to open the season as the team's primary third baseman following the offseason trade of Gio Urshela to the An...
Impact Miranda saw most of his opportunities during his rookie season at first base or as a designated hitter, but he'll get the chance to return to the position where he spent most of his minor-league career now that Urshela is out West. Though Miranda didn't grade out well defensively in the corner infield in 2022, the Twins are optimistic that the decline in the field from Urshela to the 24-year-old won't be a substantial one. At the very least, Miranda should provide an overall upgrade from Urshela at the plate after overcoming a slow start to his rookie campaign to finish with an impressive .268/.325/.426 slash line over 483 plate appearances.
FEBRUARY 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
'Brothers for life': Correa, Buxton ready to lead Twins for long haul FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Great teams are built on elite up-the-middle talent, and in Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa, the Twins have anchored thei...
FEBRUARY 19, 2023 • MLB.COM
Jhoan Duran - Throwing live BP Duran (hamstring) threw live batting practice Sunday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.
Impact Duran pulled out of consideration for the World Baseball Classic after he suffered a mild hamstring injury in January, but he's recently been throwing bullpen sessions and is now facing live batters. The 24-year-old was dominant as a rookie last year and recorded eight saves and 18 holds with a 1.86 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 89:16 K:BB over 67.2 innings. Duran is likely the Twins' best reliever, but he could open the season splitting save chances with Jorge Lopez.
FEBRUARY 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Randy Dobnak - Throwing without finger pain Dobnak's oft-injured finger has been pain-free all winter, and he's been throwing bullpen sessions without issue, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. "I think we'r...
Impact Dobnak had ligaments called pulleys in his right middle finger rupture over the past two years, which has led him to appear in just 30 games during that span. Dobnak does not have great velocity, but he generated ground balls at a high rate before his injury. His success was largely due to his sinker, and the Star Tribune report says he's had to modify the pitch with more horizontal break due to the damaged finger. He'll need to re-establish himself at Triple-A before getting another shot at the majors, and his damaged finger raises serious doubts he can reclaim his prior form.
FEBRUARY 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Trevor Larnach - Looks healthy in batting practice Larnach has looked healthy in early spring practices and homered against Jhoan Duran recently in batting practice, Dan Hays of The Athletic reports.
Impact Larnach had an injury-plagued 2022 season as he had core muscle surgery June 27 and didn't play in the majors again. He worked his way back to Triple-A during a rehab assignment but then was sidelined by a wrist injury. It looks like he's healthy as spring training begins, so he's someone to monitor. He'll battle for a roster spot this spring and could win a starting DH role, but he could also begin the season at Triple-A. The 2018 first-round draft pick has 30-plus home run potential if he can make more contact.
FEBRUARY 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Byron Buxton - No limitations to open camp Buxton (knee) reported to Twins camp Friday and doesn't have any limitations to begin spring training, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.
Impact The 29-year-old underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in late September but apparently had no issues during the rehab process, and he looked good during a workout Saturday. President of baseball operations Derek Falvey said the organization will "take it slow in the early going" with Buxton this spring, which is hardly surprising given the center fielder's injury history. Falvey reiterated that Buxton reported to camp with no issues, but it's worth keeping an eye on his status throughout the spring. He was limited to 92 games last season and hit .224 with a 30.4 percent strikeout rate, but he also clubbed a career-high 28 home runs.
FEBRUARY 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Altercation results in broken jaw for Twins pitching prospect Jordan Balazovic Derek Falvey announced Saturday that Balazovic is out after he sustained a broken jaw in "an altercation away from the field."
FEBRUARY 19, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM
List of reasons why Twins will be winners runs as long as a river ... with one big 'if' They still lack a true ace and proven middle-of-the-order run producers, but the early read on this deep Twins team is that it can win big t...
FEBRUARY 18, 2023 • STARTRIBUNE.COM
Pitching prospect Balazovic out with broken jaw FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Twins pitching prospect Jordan Balazovic will be delayed in his buildup for the 2023 season after sustaining a broken ja...
FEBRUARY 18, 2023 • MLB.COM
Jordan Balazovic - Suffers broken jaw Balazovic broke his jaw in an off-site altercation last Saturday and underwent surgery, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.
Impact The nature of the altercation is unclear. Neither is Balazovic's timeline as far as his return to game action, though he's expected to be able to play catch within 10 days.
FEBRUARY 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Twins righthander Jordan Balazovic has broken jaw following 'altercation' It's the latest setback for a top prospect whose career has been tripped up over the past three years.
FEBRUARY 18, 2023 • STARTRIBUNE.COM
AL Central 2023 preview has Twins closing in on Guardians; The week in baseball What AL Central team improved the most over the offseason?
FEBRUARY 18, 2023 • CLEVELAND.COM
New pace of play will see Twins manager Rocco Baldelli 'manage differently' The deliberate style of past seasons will fall victim to baseball's new rules in 2023.
FEBRUARY 18, 2023 • STARTRIBUNE.COM
'We want to win big:' Carlos Correa reports to Twins spring training The signing of the shortstop to a long-term deal, manager Rocco Baldelli said, means the team has an arrow heading up.
FEBRUARY 18, 2023 • STARTRIBUNE.COM
Amid scrutiny over ankle, Correa confident in health routine FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Perhaps no single joint in professional athletics was the subject of more scrutiny and speculation over the course of th...
FEBRUARY 17, 2023 • MLB.COM
Correa's mentorship of young Twins a 'thing of beauty' FORT MYERS, Fla. -- It’s undeniable that the Twins would have been much worse off on the field had they not miraculously brought back Carlos...
FEBRUARY 17, 2023 • MLB.COM
Nick Gordon - To work out all over diamond Gordon will get work at every position but catcher and pitcher this spring, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.
Impact That includes first base, a position Gordon has yet to play at the professional level. That's notable, because the Twins are counting on the injury-prone Alex Kirilloff at that spot. The 27-year-old Gordon took a nice step forward in 2022, slashing .272/.316/.427 with nine home runs and six stolen bases over 136 games. Gordon also put up solid Statcast numbers, boasting an average exit velocity in the 80th percentile. He might not have a set starting job, but Gordon could be a near-everyday player in a super-utility role.
FEBRUARY 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Twins' Correa: `Money is just a number in your bank account' Carlos Correa reported to the Minnesota Twins after agreeing to stay for a $200 million, six-year contract.
FEBRUARY 17, 2023 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM
Why Chris Paddack was open to contract extension talks after second surgery With an opportunity to reduce the pressure on himself to return more quickly and perform for his next contract, Paddack opted for security.
FEBRUARY 17, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM
