Luke Keaschall Debut Forces Shuffling of Minnesota Twins Rosters

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Mickey Gasper : Minnesota Twins at St. Louis Cardinals
Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Twins are in Atlanta on Friday as they kick off a three-game series against the Braves. Both teams find themselves in unexpected spots to start the season. Each were projected to compete for a division title. Minnesota currently owns a 7-12 record while the Braves are 5-13.

After blowing a lead late against the New York Mets, the Twins were able to grab an extra innings victory on Wednesday. Surprisingly, Rocco Baldelli pinch hit Mickey Gasper for Willi Castro in the 8th inning. We found out after the game that Castro had suffered an oblique injury.

Luke Keaschall, Minnesota Twins
Credit: Chris Tilley-Imagn Images

News broke on Thursday evening that top infield prospect Luke Keaschall was coming up to the show for his major league debut, sparking questions over the Twins’ corresponding roster move. On Friday, when the roster move became official, the answer was career minor league utility man, Mickey Gasper heading to St. Paul.

Luke Keaschall call up official – Mickey Gasper optioned – Matt Canterino DFA’d

To make room for Keaschall on the 40-man, the Minnesota Twins DFA’d one time promising pitcher prospect Matt Canterino. On Friday night, the 23-year-old Luke Keaschall — who’s ranked as the No. 57 overall prospect (MLB.com) — will bat 8th in the Twins lineup.

Thankfully, the Twins do not feel like Will Castro’s his injury is serious enough for a trip to the injured list… at least for now. We’ll see how that story develops over the coming days, but the medical staff must feel pretty good because DFA’ing Canterino is risky. He has a lot of talent.

Mickey Gasper couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity for the 29-year-old career minor leaguer to finally catch on in the big leagues. Unfortunately, he failed to take advantage, batting .111 in 22 plate appearances (.384 OPS. Gasper managed just 2 hits and 4 walks to go with his 7 strikeouts.

With their two most flexible defensive players now out of the lineup, in Gasper and Castro, Luke Keaschall — who played infield and outfield in 2024 — has only played 2B and DH since undergoing Tommy John surgery in August, 2024. In fact, it wasn’t until Tuesday April 15 with St. Paul that Keaschall played his first full nine-inning game.

Other MN Twins infielders will get chances

Thus, it’s no surprise Luke Keaschall is making his debut as a DH. It’s something he proved he could handle down in the minors, where he was written into the lineup for much of last season, posting a .303/.420/.483 slash line across 103 games between Single and Double-A.

Edouard Julien has not been the player he was as a rookie in 2023, but looks much closer to it than last season. His .250/.304/.385 slash line leaves room for improvement, but offensively he may be as capable or better than Castro was or will be, when he gets healthy.

The final two Twins who are sure to be most impacted by Keaschall’s addition to the dugout are newly acquired Jonah Bride and regular DH Trevor Larnach. If Keaschall is going to be the designated hitter, Larnach could lose at bats. Harrison Bader and DaShawn Keirsey Jr. give the Twins a much better defensive outfield when paired together.

Related: Minnesota Twins Calling Up Latest Top Infield Prospect

Over the course of his career, Bride has spent the majority of his time at corner infield spots. He does have 35 big league games at second base as well. It’s been a slow start for him in 2025 (4-for-40), but he batted .276/.357/.461 in 71 games with Miami last year.

Ultimately Baldelli is going to rely on some youth and new faces to step up and bring the Twins back to a level of competitiveness. It’s not the path they planned, but with Keaschall in tow, could be a fun one to watch.

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