Top Twins Prospect Recovering from Thumb Surgery: Here’s What We Know

Last season the Minnesota Twins saw more than a couple of prospects blitz through their minor league system. Starting pitcher Zebby Matthews made it all the way to the big leagues. So did fellow starter, David Festa.

Some of Minnesota’s best hitting prospects, specifically No. 1 organizational prospect Walker Jenkins, are further away from the big leagues. Others, like Brooks Lee, is already with the Twins. Then, there’s outfielder, Emmanuel Rodriguez, who finished at Triple-A St. Paul and is expected to make a serious run at a 26-man roster spot, out of 2025 Spring Training.

Emmanuel Rodriguez on the mend after offseason thumb surgery

In fact, had his 2024 season not been marred by injury, Rodriguez very well may have debuted with the Minnesota Twins in 2023, just like Lee did. Instead, “E-Rod” started his offseason with a thumb surgery — or “cleanup procedure” — that president of baseball operations Derek Falvey believes will be 100% healed by spring.

“He’s such a unique profile. It’s almost impossible to look at that profile and say how it’s going to translate to the big leagues because no one else has it. He’s very, very unique and he’s so young, he’s still growing and still getting better. I’m excited about next spring training because I’m looking forward to a healthy version with a little bit more experience.”

Derek Falvey on Emmanuel Rodriguez (Star Tribune)

Walker Jenkins and Brooks Lee were the two most notable prospects for the Twins, entering 2024. That didn’t stop Emmanuel Rodriguez from being a consensus top-100 player, whose rise continued, even after his injury issues. The young outfielder can play solid defense, hit for power, and get on base.

E-Rod could have made Minnesota Twins debut already

Rodriguez started his 2024 campaign at Double-A Wichita. He did move up one level, by season end, but E-Rod played just 47 total games last year. His .280/.459/.567 slash line (1.026 OPS) was more than impressive, and it’s why Minnesota believes he can contribute at the highest level next season, as long as his thumb is fixed.

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The injury originally occurred at the end of May. He took about a week off and returned to action on June 5. Another aggravation in that game meant shutting him down for another month. Rodriguez played two games in the Complex League, in early July, but remained in Florida rehabbing until August 30th. After one game in Fort Myers, he was promoted to Triple-A, where he remained for the final weeks of the minor league season.

Emmanuel Rodriguez, who just returned to Wichita's lineup, has exited in the fifth inning.

Tough to say, but it appeared he may have aggravated the hand injury he was coming back from on a slide. You can see toward the end of this clip that his right thumb had been bandaged. pic.twitter.com/kBTMxaSkvv

— Tom Froemming (@TFTwins) June 6, 2024

Emmanuel Rodriguez with an inside-the-park GRAND SLAM for his first Triple-A HR⚡️#MNTwins pic.twitter.com/UBhAGY7z5A

— Twins Player Development (@TwinsPlayerDev) September 8, 2024

Less starts and stops should give E-Rod a better chance to settle in next season. Max Kepler is gone and a corner outfield spot could open up for him, depending on the play of Trevor Larnach and Matt Wallner. As of today, it stands to reason that Emmanuel Rodriguez will start his 2025 season back with the Saints.

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But who knows what a great offseason + Spring Training could bring. And even if he doesn’t make the Minnesota Twins roster, right away, he will be just one quick call and uber ride to his big league debut.