Chronic Back Injury Causing Problems for MN Twins Infielder Again

The Minnesota Twins are down in Fort Myers (FL), trying to ride out their final week of 2025 Spring Training, before they pack up and fly northwest to the Missouri/Illinois border for their 2025 regular season opening three-game series vs the St. Louis Cardinals.

Unfortunately, Minnesota’s mission to stay healthy this spring has taken a hit in recent days and weeks. The injury epidemic started with ankle sprains for top minor league prospects (OF) Walker Jenkins and (OF) Emmanuel Rodriguez, back on March 1. Neither has returned to the field, as of March 21.

But then, the injuries started to spread to the big league roster, first hitting the bullpen. LHP Michael Tonkin hit the injured list with a shoulder strain, RHP Brock Stewart suffered a hamstring strain and oft-injured (RHP) Matt Canterino lost another season to shoulder surgery.

And most recently, the Minnesota Twins infield has been bitten by this sometimes debilitating injury bug. First (of course), it got starting third baseman, Royce Lewis. He will start the regular season on injured reserve. And on Thursday, another familiar injury popping back up resulted in 24-year-old (IF) Brooks Lee being scratched from the starting lineup vs the Boston Red Sox.

Last season, Lee revealed a chronic back injury he has been dealing with for years, and something that he expects to deal with for the rest of his life. It’s an injury that has caused significant discomfort for the former No. 8 overall pick, who vowed to better manage the chronic injury, going forward.

Chronic Brooks Lee back injury causing problems again

But this week, Brooks Lee’s back pain resurfaced. Manager Rocco Baldelli told Bobby Nightengale (Star Tribune) that, for now, Lee is considered “Day to Day” with back spasms, and that he would be re-evaluated Friday. Lee did not take the team bus to Clearwater (FL) on Friday, for the MN Twins afternoon matchup vs the Philadelphia Phillies.

“I saw him when he was coming in this morning, and he was OK. Then he mentioned something to the training staff that something was bothering him. We’re going to treat it in a day-to-day fashion...There is really nothing else to be done because we don’t think this is something more than potentially a muscle spasm. Let it rest and see where he’s at.”

Rocco Baldelli (via The MN Star Tribune)

Twins @ Phillies 3/21

Julien 1B
Gasper 2B
Jeffers C
Martin CF
Keirsey Jr. LF
Morales RF
Ford DH
Alvarez 3B
Winokur SS

Lopez P

12:05 pm

— Ted (@tlschwerz) March 21, 2025

This is worrisome, not just for the MN Twins 2025 season, but for the future of their infield and the outlook of Brooks Lee’s career. Assuming the California kid has taken extra care managing his chronic back injury, it’s especially concerning that he couldn’t even make it to the end of Spring Training, before needing to address the injury with therapy and time off.

Of course, it could just be coincidental timing, too. It’s possible this is a random spasm that will go away, then not return for months. We just don’t know… and neither do the Twins. But with Lewis already out beyond Opening Day, Minnesota’s infield depth is already being tested. If Lee has to miss regular season games, it puts Jose Miranda in line for more time at third base and Edouard Julien at second base.

Brooks Lee will be very good for Twins… if he can stay healthy

Brooks Lee is trying to prove his former top prospect status true, after a disappointing rookie season with the Minnesota Twins, where he hit .221 with a .585 OPS (3 HR, 27 RBI) in 172 at bats. Of course, 2024 would appear to be a blip on Lee’s professional and collegiate offensive career, where he has proven himself as a more than adequate hitter.

Brooks Lee told Gerrit Cole to go sit back down. pic.twitter.com/rVrMeGq6QG

— Ted (@tlschwerz) March 6, 2025

In my view, there is no concern over whether or not Brooks Lee can be a very productive starting infielder in the big leagues, if he can get/stay healthy. Not only has he been an incredible hitter, at every level, but he is one of the best defensive infielders in the Minnesota Twins organization, too.