The Minnesota Twins were having an injury free spring training until the wheels started coming off at the end of camp. With third baseman Royce Lewis suffering another soft tissue injury (hamstring) and a reoccurrence of infielder Brooks Lee’s back issues, the complexion of the opening day starting infield has changed drastically.

And with Brock Stewart and Michael Tonkin dealing with sore shoulders, the Twin bullpen will be a little shy of quality arms to start the season. So, what kind of team does manager Rocco Baldelli have to work with starting tomorrow. Here is a rundown of the Twins 2025 Opening Day roster.

Catcher

Ryan Jeffers, Christian Vazquez: This tandem will anchor the team from the catching position for the third straight season. But I believe that 2025 is the year that playing time between the two is no longer going to be split 50-50. With Jeffers continued hitting prowess and Vazquez’s downward cycle in this area, this will probably be more of a 60-40 split.

Infield

First baseman, Ty France: The 2022 All-Star will look to springboard off of his successful spring training performance. The hottest hitter on the team right now, France will be counted on to add some much-needed punch to the middle of the order. Fielding at this position will take a dip from last season with the departure of Gold Glover Carlos Santana.

Second baseman, Willi Castro and Eddy Julien: This will be Lee’s position when he returns from the injured list. In the meantime, Castro will start off here but with his use as the team’s super backup, Julien will get plenty of chances to prove he has recovered from his sophomore slump.

Third Baseman, Jose Miranda: Will man the hot corner until Lewis returns. Miranda will also see some time at first base and DH. Must prove that he can hit with consistent power at the Major League level. Fielding is suspect at third base so he must work hard to not be a defensive liability at this position. Castro will be used here as needed

Shortstop, Carlos Correa: Healthiest he’s been in three years. Must avoid the plantar fasciitis problems that have plagued him in the past. If Carlos plays 120+ games, the Twins will be a contender. Must start the season stronger than he has the last three seasons. Lee and Castro will provide backup.

Utility, Mickey Gasper: Gasper played his way on to the opening roster with his spring power surge. He is competent at catcher, first and second base, so his versatility will come in handy. Will have to fight for his spot on the roster when Lee and Lewis return.

Outfield

Trevor Larnach, Byron Buxton, Matt Wallner, Harrison Bader, DaShawn Keirsey Jr: Larnach, Buxton, and Wallner will be the opening day starters. Larnach might be poised for a breakout season. The key for Buxton is always to stay healthy. Wallner will hit a ton of dingers from the one hole but must cut down on his strikeouts.

Bader will be an excellent defensive back up for Buxton, and he has plenty of speed. But his offensive numbers have tumbled the last few seasons so he will look for more consistency in this area. Keirsey took the final roster spot after the injury to Lee. He will need to continue his hot hitting from the spring to have any chance to stay on this roster full-time. Austin Martin will also be pushing him from Triple-A.

Pitchers

Starting Pitchers, Pablo Lopez, Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, Chris Paddack, Simeon Woods Richardson: Lopez must find his consistency if he is to remain the number one starter. If Ryan can stay healthy or Ober climbs the next step, either could be the team’s ace of the future. Jury is still out on Paddack after a couple of injury filled seasons. Woods Richardson came on strong in 2024 after it appeared that his career was washed out.

If anyone stumbles, the trio of David Festa, Zebby Matthews, and Andrew Morris are waiting in the wings at Triple-A St. Paul. Festa and Matthews both pitched at the Major League level last season and Morris had a terrific spring.

Relief Pitchers, Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax, Cole Sands, Danny Coulombe, Louis Varland, Jorge Alcala, Justin Topa, Randy Dobnak: The Twins are concerned with Duran’s loss of velocity. So much so that many feel that Jax will steal multiple save opportunities from him this season. Jax has been among the most consistent relief pitcher in MLB over the past three seasons. Sands took a giant leap forward in 2024 and can now be counted on to pitch in crunch time. As the lefty presence in the bullpen, Coulombe will be counted on to neutralize opposing teams premier left-handed hitters.

Now that Varland will be used as just a reliever, his ceiling is unlimited. He throws tremendous heat. Alcala has all of the tools but has not been able to stay healthy. Same for Topa who has been injured almost the entire time since they acquired him from Seatle before last season. The veteran Dobnak made the roster due to the injuries to Stewart and Tonkin. He’s a gamer, but he’ll be hard pressed to remain on the roster when both return from the injured list.

The Minnesota Twins open up their 2025 Season tomorrow on the road against the St. Louis Cardinals. Game time is scheduled for 3:15 pm CST. Play Ball!