Injured MN Twins Top Prospect Nearing Return; Another Needs More Time
Injuries have been the story of the season for the Minnesota Twins, who just snapped a five-game losing skid on Monday. Health has been a problem across the roster, but especially on the pitching side.
New manager Derek Shelton has found a way to keep his 28-33 Twins hanging around in the playoff race. However, it’s become quite clear that any hope of relevance this summer will require reinforcements at Target Field.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot of depth to be had inside the MN Twins organization right now, especially since their two best prospects — outfielders Walker Jenkins (shoulder) and Emmanuel Rodriguez (thumb) — have been on the injured list for much of the past month.
However, amid a mass of positive Twins news Monday, were a couple of optimistic injury updates on both Rodriguez and Jenkins, as well. Let’s start with the latter, since Minnesota’s 2023 No. 5 overall pick is the closest to his return.
Top prospect Walker Jenkins nearing return
As long as Walker Jenkins plays well upon his return to Triple A, there’s little doubt we’ll see him in a MN Twins uniform at some point this summer. First, he’ll have to reacclimate himself at Triple-A St. Paul.
Thankfully, his return to the Saints lineup is coming very soon. According to Twins reporters who were there for Monday’s list of injury updates, both Jenkins and Alan Roden are scheduled to start rehab assignments next week.
On the farm, Zoll said Triple-A outfielders Walker Jenkins (left shoulder sprain) and Alan Roden (torn labrum) both could start rehab assignments next week.
The Athletic
Walker Jenkins “has been progressing really well” recovering from a left shoulder sprain suffered in early May. He’s on track to face pitchers in live batting practice later this week.
AaronGleeman.com
Jenkins played in just 25 games for the Saints this season, before suffering the shoulder injury in early May that currently has him on the IL. In that small sample size, Jenkins was was batting .256 with a .785 OPS at Triple A.
Prior to injury, he racked up six doubles and a pair of home runs, while walking more times (19) than he struck out (18). In other words, the 21-year-old has some work to do if he wants to get the call-up he’s been hoping for this summer.
If Jenkins can generate some positive momentum, there’s absolutely still a world where he’s moved across town after the All-Star break, especially if the Minnesota Twins tear it down to the studs at the trade deadline.
Having Alan Roden — who was part of the Louie Varland trade with Toronto that also landed the Twins Kendry Rojas — provides another 40-man outfield option as well, especially while we wait impatiently for both Walker Jenkins and Emmanuel Rodriguez to make their big league debuts.
MN Twins will have to wait on Emmanuel Rodriguez
While Jenkins is expected to resume game action next week, Emmanuel Rodriguez is further away. After recently undergoing thumb surgery, Rodriguez is now in the early stages of recovery. His return is expected still this year, though. His current timetable — per Aaron Gleeman (AaronGleeman.com) — is 6-8 weeks.
Emmanuel Rodriguez is in the early stages of recovery from a May 20 surgery to repair a torn left thumb ligament, which is expected to sideline him for a total of 6-8 weeks. Rodriguez, who has a history of thumb injuries, got hurt sliding head-first into first base.
AaronGleeman.com
The decision by Emmanuel Rodriguez to slide head-first into first base was questionable, at best, especially given his history of thumb injuries. Like Jenkins, Rodriguez played exactly 25 games for the Saints, prior to suffering his injury.
On the season, he is batting .247, but that can be deceptive because E-Rod always carries a strong on-base percentage (.417), already drawing 23 walks to 31 strikeouts.His .923 OPS is nothing to sneeze at, either.
Both Jenkins and Rodriguez have the ability to play all three outfield positions. They should each be considered long-term staples for the Minnesota Twins… but both will need to stay healthy in order to fulfill those expectations.
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