MN Twins Top Prospect May Not Need Surgery After All

By    |  
Updated:
Follow Us
Luke Keaschall, Minnesota Twins
Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

It was a house of horrors early this season for the Minnesota Twins. Thankfully, the horizon is looking a bit brighter over the past week or two. Now just three games shy of .500 (13-16), the Twins are in Cleveland this week hoping to continue their late-April rebound and four-game winning streak.

Since Opening Day, manager Rocco Baldelli has been pulling every lever in the organization, just trying to keep the 2025 season afloat. One of the best pulls he made came about two weeks ago, when the Twins promoted their latest top infield prospect, Luke Keaschall.

Latest update on injured Minnesota Twins top prospect, Luke Keaschall

After setting the world on fire through six games, his seventh ended with a fractured wrist and a trip to the injured list. Before the injury, Keaschall had tied a major league record going a perfect 5-for-5 in stolen base attempts through his first five games. The injury happened when he was plunked in the arm by Angels righty, Kyle Hendricks.

Last season, Luke Keaschall slashed .303/.420/.483 in 103 games between Single and Double-A despite dealing with a torn UCL. He underwent Tommy John surgery midseason and was working his way back to full throwing health, prior to this latest setback.

Luke Keaschall trying to avoid surgery on fractured wrist

Since we found out the severity of Luke’s injury, the timeline has been measured in months, as opposed to weeks. While that still seems to be the case, it does sound like the Minnesota Twins may be feeling a bit better about Keaschall’s outlook.

In fact, Luke and Twins doctors have decided to try and avoid surgery all together, at least for now. This, according to what the No. 57 overall prospect in baseball (MLB.com) told the Star Tribune’s Phil Miller.

After consulting with a surgeon who repaired his left wrist a few years ago, Keaschall now believes he can avoid surgery on his fractured right ulna bone, though he will undergo weekly X-rays to make sure the fracture doesn’t require a plate to heal correctly.

“So, we are looking at weeks here. After about a month, we’ll have a better sense of where we’re at with him,” Paparesta said of the rookie infielder, who is wearing a soft splint to keep the arm immobile. “It’s probably going to be a couple months before he’s back into playing games.”

Star Tribune

Related: Minnesota Twins Re-Sign Oft-Injured (but Extremely Promising) Prospect

Keaschall is currently rocking a soft splint, rather than a cast. Apparently, the treatment plan calls for multiple stops in a hyperbaric chamber each day, and also utilizes a bone stimulator. The MN Twins are obviously doing what they can medically to speed up the healing process.

While they’re still projecting Keaschall’s return a couple months out, but it is notable that they’ll take another look at his injury and how his recovery is progressing in about a month. Could he start his way back, at that point? If so, maybe we are looking at six weeks total, before he returns. Clearly, that is cautious optimism and it’ll be a while before we know more.

Just 22 years old, Keaschall looked the part of a big leaguer during his brief time with the Minnesota Twins. Only two starts came at second base, but operating as a designated hitter didn’t slow down his hitting. In seven games for Minnesota Keaschall hit .368/.539/.526 with three doubles.

Other infielders must step up for Minnesota Twins

Part of the reason Keaschall was promoted at all came as a reflection of his abilities. Yes, the Twins have been walking wounded, but Keaschall joined the 40-man roster and intended to give the big league club a spark. Right now recently acquired infielders Jonah Bride and Kody Clemens are depth on the Minnesota 26-man roster.

Mickey Gasper was also recalled after being optioned. Can that trio hold the infield together, and hit well enough for the Twins to continue winning? I am skeptical. Don’t forget about Royce Lewis, though. He’s nearing a return, as well.

So far, however, Bride has been incredible, since being inserted into the Minnesota Twins lineup. Through six games, he’s gone 7-for-14, continuing his hot 2024, where he held a 122 OPS+ in 71 games for the Miami Marlins.

Thankfully, Carlos Correa has started to hit as he has gone 8-for-15 in his last four games. Byron Buxton has been even better. Brooks Lee just snapped a five-game hitting streak but is 8-for-21 in his last six starts. Ty France has dumped in valuable at bats as well.

Related: WTF is Happening to the Minnesota Twins?

It wasn’t supposed to be Keaschall doing the heavy lifting. It certainly wasn’t supposed to be Bride, Clemens, or Gasper doing much of anything at all. If the infield can perform to their expectations, they will be a big part of the Twins turnaround.

Mentioned in this article:

More About:
0What do you think?Post a comment.