Luke Keaschall Sparks Twins Lineup
Top prospect Luke Keaschall energized a struggling Twins lineup upon his major league debut. The 2023 second-round draft pick has consistently performed well since moving from Arizona State to professional baseball. In his first seven games, the 22-year-old Keaschall recorded a batting line of .368/.538/.526, achieving more walks (five) than strikeouts (two) in 26 plate appearances. Additionally, he made history by tying a major league record with five stolen bases across his first five MLB games.
Injury Update on Keaschall
Unfortunately, Keaschall was placed on the injured list after a pitch from veteran Kyle Hendricks struck his forearm, resulting in a non-displaced fracture. At this stage, there is no indication that surgery will be necessary. However, head trainer Nick Paparesta informed the Twins media that Keaschall is expected to be sidelined for several months. He will undergo reevaluation in about a month.
Twins Riddled with Injuries
The injury to Keaschall adds to a growing list of health issues plaguing the Twins this season. Third baseman Royce Lewis has yet to step onto the field for a regular season game, while utility player Willi Castro is dealing with an oblique strain. Ace pitcher Pablo Lopez missed two weeks due to a hamstring injury. Although top infield prospect Brooks Lee is now healthy, he initially began the season on the injured list with a back problem.
Challenges with Team Depth
As for the relievers, Brock Stewart and Michael Tonkin started the year on the injured list due to hamstring and shoulder strains, respectively. Infielder Jose Miranda struggled early on, was sent to Triple-A, and has since landed on the minor league injured list with a left hand strain.
Adding Depth Through DFA Market
With Keaschall and Wallner both expected to miss significant time, along with injuries affecting multiple positions, the Twins have moved to the DFA market to add some depth to their roster. They recently acquired Jonah Bride and Kody Clemens from the Marlins and Phillies in cash exchanges. Both players lack minor league options, which could lead to a quick exit for one of them once Lewis returns, who has already played two rehab games in Triple-A and is hitting well.
Recent Performance and Optimism
Despite being three games under .500, the Twins’ offense has started to find its rhythm, hitting .276/.359/.432 over the last two weeks while going 8-4 during that stretch. Part of this resurgence can be attributed to catcher Ryan Jeffers, who has enjoyed a hot streak, prompting managerial changes in the catcher rotation away from veteran Christian Vazquez. Jeffers is currently hitting .308/.426/.538 over this period, better reflecting his capabilities from the previous season.
