Minnesota Twins

He's the Twins' everyday shortstop for the rest of the season and he's already hitting. At 38% rostered, there's still a window in 10-12 team leagues to grab him. The speed-power combo plays at the big-league level — he's a legit two-category contributor and not just a prospect flier.

The Twins' top prospect is knocking on the door. The 21-year-old lefty-swinging outfielder is batting .421 in August at Triple-A with a two-homer game in his last outing, and Minnesota just promoted No. 2 prospect Kaelen Culpepper — Jenkins could be next in line. He pairs elite pitch recognition with a smooth swing that profiles as a perennial .290-.310 hitter with gap power. Stash in 14+ leagues if you have a bench spot.

Culpepper's debut homer in his second career at-bat was not a fluke — his .367 OBP, 14 homers, and 17 steals at Triple-A are the real foundation. Minnesota views this as his everyday shortstop job, not a September cameo. The 39:64 BB:K ratio across 343 plate appearances is the kind of hit-tool signal that ages well in the majors. Add in all formats; ownership will exceed 50% after this week's FAAB process closes.

A mild left-glute strain will sideline Ryan until at least Aug. 20. The diagnosis is encouraging, but the injury follows arm fatigue, back discomfort, a velocity dip, and 17 runs allowed in 15 1/3 second-half innings. Hold everywhere and wait for a pain-free bullpen update before planning his return.

A recent public Yahoo snapshot had Culpepper at 4% before the call-up; that number will move quickly. Minnesota says he is the primary shortstop, so add in 12-team OBP and 14-team formats rather than waiting for his first hit. Bid 8-12% in OBP and 5-8% in average leagues.

Jenkins is healthy at Triple-A and remains only 5% rostered in a recent public Yahoo snapshot. He was hitting .308 with a .912 OPS, four homers, and seven steals over 130 at-bats after returning from a shoulder sprain, and his latest 10-game run reached .325/.475/.600 with two homers and two steals. Aug. 14 is the key calendar date for preserving 2027 rookie eligibility. Stash now in 15-team leagues or any format with an NA spot, but understand Minnesota has not promised a promotion or an everyday role.

Started @ Milwaukee Brewers (4W-8L, 5.22 ERA)

Right hip impingement — back on the IL for the second time this season after Buxton left a July 29 game against Kansas City in the fifth inning. He first went on the IL in late June, returned July 20, and lasted only nine days before the impingement flared again. He is eligible August 8 and is traveling with the team, which suggests the Twins believe a return around that window is possible.

Started @ CLE (1W-1L, N/A ERA)

Lewis returned to play July 20 after missing July 18 with left hamstring soreness, but his July slash (.214/.298/.429, 2 HR in 11 games) suggests the injury is impacting him even when active. Given his extensive hamstring history, each day-to-day designation carries real IL escalation risk — check today's lineup before finalizing.

The Twins' No. 1 prospect is back at Triple-A after recovering from a shoulder sprain, and multiple beat reporters are now describing his MLB debut as imminent. Jenkins is slashing .306/.404/.497 with 5 HR and 7 SB in the minors this season, showing off the elite hit tool that made him the No. 5 overall pick in 2023. He was selected for the All-Star Futures Game and a Sports Illustrated piece listed him as the top Twins prospect most likely to get the call after the break. Grab him now in all 12-team leagues — a 21-year-old with this pedigree does not stay on the wire once the call comes.

Left hamstring soreness surfaced July 18 before the game vs. Cubs; Lewis was held out and listed questionable for July 20. Manager Derek Shelton said he felt 'somewhat better' by game time but kept him out as a precaution. Given Lewis's extensive hamstring injury history — multiple IL stints — an IL placement by July 21 is a real possibility if he misses today's game.

The Twins' #1 prospect and MLB's #14 overall just played in the All-Star Futures Game, slashing .272 with an .820 OPS across 31 Triple-A games alongside a near-even K/BB ratio that signals genuine readiness. Minnesota sits 2.5 games out of a playoff spot and is actively looking for an outfield jolt — a post-break callup is in play per multiple beat reports. With Royce Lewis potentially heading to the IL, the roster window is opening faster than expected. Claim him now in all 14-team leagues before the inevitable spike.

The premier catcher return of the second half. He was one of the best fantasy catchers before the hamate fracture on May 18, and his first game back looked sharp: double, walk, five plate appearances. Available in most standard leagues at around 45%. Top target in any trade involving a breakout catcher whose numbers may not hold.

Right hip strain placed him on the IL retroactive to July 6. The Twins have held to a Friday (July 17) target return for his second-half debut at Wrigley, with no pushback reported. He was slashing .271/.328/.575 with 25 HR and 45 RBI in 75 games before going down and was voted into the All-Star Game as a starter.

The Twins officially have no designated closer per manager Shelton, but Gomez leads Minnesota with 6 saves in 6 opportunities — the role is his. A cash-considerations pickup from Tampa Bay in early May that's turned into one of the quietest great moves of the season. Add everywhere he's available.

Ober returns to a Twins rotation that needs him and brings with him extra rest from the IL + the All-Star break — effectively eight-plus days off before his next start. He was posting a 3.41 ERA before going down and steps back into a mid-rotation role immediately. Only relevant if he cleared waivers in your league during his absence.

Re-aggravated his right hip sliding into second base July 6 vs. New York. IL retroactive to July 6; Twins target a July 17 return at Chicago. Was batting .275 with 25 HR, 45 RBI, 57 R, and 7 SB. GM expressing full confidence in a complete recovery.

Right hip strain, third IL stint of the season. Aggravated while stealing a base Sunday, July 7. No clear timetable — budget for at least two weeks minimum.

Matthews has reeled off three quality starts in a row with a 2.25 ERA over his last 20 innings. Still available in 62% of leagues — if you have a spot, grab him before he crests 50% owned after the break.

Clemens was an afterthought in March but has quietly become a legitimate fantasy contributor batting in the top third of Minnesota's order. The power is hard-contact-driven — 9.5% barrel rate is not a flyball-luck situation — and the 14-homer, six-steal combo in 74 games is a rare mixed-league profile. Minnesota faces the Guardians and Angels in Week 16, two rotationally thin opponents, and Clemens' consistent volume makes him worth adding in 10–12 team leagues before the waiver deadline.

Since trading Jhoan Duran before last season, Minnesota has accumulated 17 saves across 11 different relievers. This is the most fragmented save situation in baseball with no resolution on the horizon. Do not spend roster space on any individual Twins arm — stream save opportunities only when the Twins are a clear favorite in a given game.

Arthroscopic right elbow surgery announced June 24 following a second recovery setback from elbow inflammation. No UCL or flexor tendon damage was found, but a return timetable won't be known until after surgery. With three months of regular season remaining, his 2026 return is extremely unlikely.

Shares Minnesota's save situations with Yoendrys Gomez and at least three other candidates in a full bullpen-by-committee that has showed no sign of resolving. Not worth a roster spot in standard formats. Check Closer Monkey daily if you're in a very deep league where any save opportunity has value.

Minnesota's closer situation has as many as five active candidates, with Rogers and Yoendrys Gomez as the current front-runners. Nobody is owning the job yet. Speculative roster hold only — check the Ledger daily for shifts in usage patterns.