Another Minnesota Twins Infielder Injured Sunday

The Minnesota Twins wrapped up their 11th Grapefruit League victory on Sunday, bringing their spring training record to 11-15-3 in 2025. There are only two games remaining on the exhibition schedule down in Florida, before the Twins fly north to St. Louis for their opening regular season series vs the Cardinals.

Prior to the game, the Twins provided a couple of injury updates that helped bring clarity to what will soon be their finalized Opening Day roster. Among the likely bubble players expected to make the 26-man was newly acquired utility infielder and catcher, Mickey Gasper.

MN Twins Mickey Gasper injured on poor play

Unfortunately he got a bit overzealous on defense Sunday, while playing second base against the Boston Red Sox, and it cost him. It happened in the second inning, when Gasper tracked a ground ball up the middle way too far beyond the other side of second base.

Instead of letting Brandon Winokur make an easy play from shortstop, Gasper cut off his teammate unexpectedly, resulting in Winokur’s left cleat cutting through his teammates leg. Gasper told Phil Miller (Star Tribune), as he walked off the field in crutches, that his self-inflicted spiking resulted in six stitches.

Mickey Gasper may have cost himself an Opening Day roster spot on this play after needing stitches. pic.twitter.com/AmDSMDE1f2

— Ted (@tlschwerz) March 23, 2025

Rocco Baldelli on Mickey Gasper's six-stitch cut: "It's about as bad a cut as I've seen on a baseball field, but it also was stitched up and right now it's closed. We'll keep it clean and let it heal and see what he's capable of this week." #MNTwins

— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) March 23, 2025

Rocco Baldelli has seen what Mickey Gasper — who at 29 years old finally made his big league debut last season — can do during a very good Spring Training. Earlier today, Gasper started the game with a solo home run, his second of the spring, which pushed his slash line up to a pretty ridiculous .308/.417/.487, in 39 at bats. His production and positional versatility is why the Twins were likely inclined to roster him in the first place.

Related: MN Twins Opening Day Roster Starting to Take Shape

Though the ankle injury shouldn’t have lingering effects, the reality is that the body needs time to heal. It seems unlikely that Gasper’s skin would seal in the four days allotted before Opening Day in St. Louis. There’s no sense in putting him out there only to have them come open again.

That's how you start a game, Mickey 👏 pic.twitter.com/tsQ2fVNSOc

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) March 23, 2025

The injury is unfortunate for Gasper. He got just 23 plate appearances across 13 games last year for Boston, but is still searching for his first hit. Across 407 minor league games, Gasper owns a .392 on-base percentage, and he posted a 1.062 OPS in 48 Triple-A games last season. There may still be an opportunity with Minnesota, but it’s a larger uphill battle at this point.

What are the Minnesota Twins roster options?

After Royce Lewis went down with a hamstring injury there was a path for Gasper to make the Opening Day roster. The reality that Brooks Lee will begin on the injured list all but guaranteed it. Now with an additional opening, the Twins will need to figure out their plans.

Austin Martin and DaShawn Keirsey Jr. were the most likely bubble candidates with two players for just one spot. They could now both be kept as additional outfield options. Martin isn’t really an infielder anymore, and Willi Castro could then focus solely on the dirt.

That may leave Rocco Baldelli’s roster construction a bit lopsided with both Lewis and Lee unavailable. The only other versatile infielder remaining in camp is Armando Alvarez, who signed a minor league deal this offseason. He made his major league debut with Oakland at 29 years old last season, but hit just .200/.243/.257 this spring. Mike Ford is around, but plays only first base.

Related: Minnesota Twins Pitcher to Begin Season on Injured List

It’s possible the Twins opt to find another option on the waiver wire. They could recall a previously optioned 40-man player, but the only minor league options there are catchers Diego Cartaya and Jair Camargo. This is an unfortunate way for an otherwise fun spring to end for Gasper. The third notable infield injury also puts Minnesota in something of a bind.