Wallner is absent from the lineup for Tuesday's game in Cincinnati.
The left-handed-hitting Wallner started each of the Twins' previous two games versus southpaws, but he'll take a seat Tuesday as the Reds send lefty Andrew Abbott to the hill. Willi Castro will patrol right field.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Matt Wallner: Sits against lefty
Rotowire
Wallner didn't start in Wednesday's 6-1 win over the Athletics due to left-hander Jeffrey Springs working the bulk of innings in relief behind right-handed opener Justin Sterner, Phil Miller of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
The left-handed-hitting Wallner has technically sat out against right-handed starting pitchers both of the past two games, but on both occasions, the Athletics deployed right-hander openers in front of left-handed bulk relievers. Wallner still should be a fixture in the lineup when the Twins face traditional right-handed starters.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Matt Wallner: Getting rest Tuesday
Rotowire
Wallner is not in the Twins' lineup Tuesday against the Athletics.
Wallner has played in three games since returning from a hamstring injury Saturday, but he will get to rest Tuesday. He recorded a hit in each game, going 3-for-11 with a home run. With the 27-year-old on the bench, Willi Castro has the start in right field as Brooks Lee takes over for Castro at second base.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Matt Wallner: Lifts homer in return
Rotowire
Wallner went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Saturday's 5-4 extra-innings loss to the Mariners.
Wallner returned to action Saturday after he missed a month and a half due to a hamstring strain. He made an early impact in his first game back, as his lone hit was a second-inning homer to open the scoring. The outfielder was able to play the full game in right field, and he should reclaim a majority of the playing time there moving forward. On the year, he's batting .262 with an .883 OPS, two homers, five RBI, eight runs scored and no stolen bases across 71 plate appearances. Wallner's return is likely to lead to a reduction in playing time for Kody Clemens.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Matt Wallner: Should return Saturday
Rotowire
Wallner (hamstring) is expected to be reinstated from the 10-day injured list Saturday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.
Wallner has been out since mid-April due to a hamstring strain but is just about ready to rejoin the Twins after going 8-for-25 with five homers during a six-game rehab assignment. The 27-year-old had a hot start to the campaign, posting a .263/.373/.474 slash line with five doubles, two triples and a homer in 18 games.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Matt Wallner: Continuing rehab to begin week
Rotowire
Wallner (hamstring) is slated to continue his rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul to begin the upcoming week rather than joining the Twins for the start of their 10-game road trip that begins Monday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.
The Twins aren't ruling out activating Wallner from the 10-day injured list at some point during the trip, but he'll likely need to play full games in the outfield on consecutive days at Triple-A St. Paul before he rejoins the big club. Wallner, who has been on the shelf since April 17 with a left hamstring strain, has thus far appeared in three games for St. Paul. He's made two starts in right field and one as a designated hitter while going a collective 5-for-12 with two home runs, a double and a walk.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Matt Wallner: Set to start rehab assignment
Rotowire
Wallner (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.
Wallner landed on the 10-day injured list April 17 due to a Grade 3 left hamstring strain. He progressed enough in his recovery to resume running in early May, and he's ready to take the next step in his rehab program by playing in games at Triple-A. Given how long he's been out, Wallner will likely need multiple games in the minors to get his timing back at the plate before the Twins activate him. Before he was shut down with the injury, Wallner slashed .263/.373/3474 with one home run and three RBI over 67 plate appearances.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Matt Wallner: Officially placed on IL
Rotowire
The Twins placed Wallner (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list Thursday.
A strained left hamstring forced Wallner to exit Tuesday's contest early, and he'll now be forced to spend at least 10 days on the injured list. The Twins haven't provided any details on the severity of his injury, so it's still unclear if he'll require more than a minimum-length stay. While Wallner is out, DaShawn Keirsey will likely receive the bulk of starts in right field, and Jonah Bride will fill the open roster spot after being acquired from Miami on Wednesday.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Matt Wallner: Going on IL with strained hamstring
Rotowire
Wallner will be placed on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
Wallner exited Tuesday's game against the Mets after tweaking the hamstring, and an MRI showed a strain, necessitating a trip to the IL. The severity of the strain isn't clear, so it's uncertain how long he might be shelved. DaShawn Keirsey started in right field in Wallner's place Wednesday and is likely due for an uptick in playing time in the immediate future.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Matt Wallner: Records second triple Monday
Rotowire
Wallner went 2-for-4 with a triple Monday against the Mets.
Wallner lined a Clay Holmes sweeper off the right-field wall in the fourth inning for a triple, his second three-base hit of the campaign already. The lefty-hitting outfielder is on the strong side of a platoon in right field, and Wallner is slashing .250/.364/.464 with one home run, five doubles, three RBI, and seven runs scored through his first 66 plate appearances (17 games).
... See More... See Less
Twins' Matt Wallner: Hits first homer of season
Rotowire
Wallner went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's victory over the Royals. It was his first homer of the season.
It was just his fourth career home run against a left-handed pitcher, which bodes well for him getting more at-bats against southpaws. Wallner is hitting leadoff against right-handed starters and batting .289 overall with a .912 OPS.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Matt Wallner: Sitting out versus left-hander
Rotowire
Wallner is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the White Sox.
The Twins are facing lefty Martin Perez, so manager Rocco Baldelli is rolling out a lineup of all right-handed or switch hitters. Harrison Bader is in right field in place of the left-handed-hitting Wallner, who went 1-for-11 with a double in the first three games of the season.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Matt Wallner: Begins season in leadoff spot
Rotowire
Wallner started in right field and batted leadoff in Thursday's loss against the Cardinals. He went 0-for-4 with a walk.
Wallner usage in the leadoff spot against right-handed starters in spring training carried over into the regular season. He had a chance to tie the game with a runner on in the top of the ninth inning but struck out. Wallner will likely sit against most left-handed pitchers -- he had a .275/.387/.566 slash line against righties last year over 217 plate appearances, but just a .184/.295/.316 line in 44 PAs against southpaws.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Matt Wallner: Healthy heading into spring
Rotowire
Wallner is not expected to have any issues related to his season-ending September left oblique strain by the time spring training begins, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
It wasn't thought that this would be a long-term concern, but it's still good to hear his injury won't have more serious ramifications. After starting the 2024 season in Triple-A, Wallner found his stroke in the second half and hit .272 with a .914 OPS and 10 home runs over his final 55 games.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Matt Wallner: Sent to IL with oblique strain
Rotowire
The Twins placed Wallner on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with a left oblique strain, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Wallner suffered the injury during a pinch-hitting appearance in Tuesday's loss to the Marlins, and it will cost him the remainder of the regular season. He would be eligible to return during the ALDS if replacing an injured player, although neither the Twins making it that far nor Wallner being healthy by then is guaranteed. Austin Martin has rejoined the active roster in Wallner's place.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Matt Wallner: Battling oblique tightness
Rotowire
Wallner was removed from Tuesday's game against the Marlins due to left oblique tightness, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.
Wallner was grabbing at his left side after striking out during his pinch-hit appearance in the sixth inning. The Twins have now confirmed the issue to be in the 26-year-old's oblique, though the team will have to wait until Wednesday to determine the severity of his injury. If he needs to sit down for a game or two, Jose Miranda may be in line for more work as Minnesota's DH.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Matt Wallner: Exits grabbing left side
Rotowire
Wallner left Tuesday's game against Miami with an apparent injury to his left side after striking out as a pinch hitter, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.
Wallner struck out and grimaced and grabbed his left side as he walked back to the dugout. Trevor Larnach then replaced him in right field.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Matt Wallner: Takes seat against southpaw
Rotowire
Wallner is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Guardians.
Wallner will hit the bench along with fellow left-handed hitters Trevor Larnach and Edouard Julien while the Guardians send southpaw Matthew Boyd to the hill. Willi Castro and Manuel Margot will serve as the Twins' starters in left and right field, respectively, while Ryan Jeffers gets a day off from catching and serves as Minnesota's designated hitter.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Matt Wallner: Not starting against lefty
Rotowire
Wallner isn't in the Twins' lineup for Tuesday's game versus San Diego.
Wallner and his career .476 OPS against lefties will take a seat Tuesday as the Padres send southpaw Martin Perez to the mound. His absence will move Royce Lewis into the DH spot while Jose Miranda starts at third base.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Matt Wallner: Sitting versus southpaw
Rotowire
Wallner isn't in the Twins' lineup for Thursday's game versus Texas.
Left-hander Cody Bradford will throw the first pitch for the Rangers in Thursday's series opener, so the left-handed bat of Wallner will step out of the lineup. In his absence, Jose Miranda will serve as the Twins' designated hitter and bat fourth.
