In the meantime, some moves needed to be made, in order to round out the final opening night roster. So Saturday evening, the Wolves announced those transactions. First, they waived four depth players, Jules Bernard, Tristen Newton, Zyon Pullin and Alize Johnson.

Minneapolis/St. Paul – The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has waived guards Jules Bernard, Tristen Newton and Zyon Pullin and forward Alize Johnson. The Timberwolves roster stands at 17 players.

Minnesota Timberwolves Press Release – October 18, 2025 – 4:20 p.m. CDT

Minnesota Timberwolves convert contract of Johnny Juzang

But that was only the beginning. From there, the MN Timberwolves converted the contract of UCLA’s Johnny Juzang — a 24-year-old wing who fell out of favor in Utah after three seasons but shot his way into a two-way contract during his preseason tryout in Minnesota.

Minneapolis/St. Paul – The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has converted guard Johnny Juzang to a two-way contract. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not released.

Minnesota Timberwolves Press Release – October 18, 2025 – 4:20 p.m. CDT

Johnny Juzang off-screen 3 pic.twitter.com/Lx1GKPQzmI

— Timberwolves Clips (@WolvesClips) October 8, 2025

While Juzang’s signing this fall flew relatively under the radar, he certainly did not come in as a scrub with little NBA experience. After two successful years at UCLA (played one season at Kentucky in 2019-20), Johnny came out after his junior season back in 2022.

While he went undrafted, Juzang quickly earned a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz, out of the preseason. A few months later, in February 2023, he found his way onto an NBA court for the first time.

Juzang ended up playing 18 games that first season in Utah, a number that grew over the next two years, all the way up to 64 games played (18 starts) in 2024-25. In his final year wearing a Jazz uniform, Johnny averaged 8.9 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 19.8 minutes per game during his final season with the Jazz.

Wolves exercise rookie options on both Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr

All eyes will be on Rob Dillingham, when the season opens in Portland next week. How much will the 20-year-old play, how soon will Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch call his name off the bench? Those are only the start of the questions that surround the second year point guard out of Kentucky.

• Rob Dillingham 2024-25 Stats (49 Games) : 10.5 MPG | 4.5 PPG | 2.0 APG | 1.0 RPG | 1.1 TO

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves announced last week that their other 2024 first round pick, Terrence Shannon Jr has earned his spot in the regular season rotation and Finchy confirmed he will be called upon early and often, starting Wednesday in Portland.

But no matter their roles now, president of basketball operations Tim Connelly showed confidence in the future of both youngsters Saturday evening, when he exercised the first round options on their first round rookie contracts, locking them both in through the 2026-27 season.

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has exercised team options on guards Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr. 

Minnesota Timberwolves Press Release – October 18, 2025 – 4:26 p.m. CDT

Terrence Shannon Jr. explosive transition dunk, created by the Rob Dillingham block + assist pic.twitter.com/wCGFv3rMbX

— Timberwolves Clips (@WolvesClips) July 12, 2024

During the preseason, the 2024 No. 8 overall pick teetered between reckless to downright ugly, which isn’t exactly the step forward in development that Wolves coaches and executives were hoping to see when the team arrived at Mayo Clinic Square for the start of training camp last month.

• T.J. Shannon Jr. 2024-25 Stats (32 Games) : 10.6 MPG | 4.3 PPG | 1.0 APG | 1.5 RPG | 0.5 TO

TJ Shannon Jr, on the other hand, has been the anti Rob Dillingham, ever since the 25-year-old found his footing off the bench toward the end of last season. In 2025-26, the Minnesota Timberwolves hope to use him as both a high-minute stopper on defense, and offensive igniter on offense, if he can prove to be effective in that role.

Minnesota Wild shake up roster, Liam Ohgren sent down

In a flurry of afternoon roster moves, the MN Wild recalled defenseman David Jiricek and forward Tyler Pitlick from AHL Iowa. The former will replace the injured Zach Bogosian; the latter will take the spot of Liam Ohgren, who was sent down to the AHL Wild amid Saturday’s reshuffling.

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota Wild President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Bill Guerin today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has recalled defenseman David Jiříček (YIHR-ih-chehk) and forward Tyler Pitlick from the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League (AHL) and assigned forward Liam Öhgren (OH-gren) to Iowa.

Minnesota Wild Press Release – 3:00 PM, October 18, 2025

Related: Problems Up the Middle Could Cause Wild to Break Up Superstars

Prior to his demotion, Liam Ohgren played in all five of Minnesota’s games this season, averaging 09:10 time on ice. Unfortunately, his early season production (0 goals, 0 assists, -4 +/-) was not what Wild coaches and executives were hoping for from the 21-year-old.

After Ohgren played as well as he did during camp, and off a 2024-25 down in Iowa in which he scored 19 goals (37 points) in just 41 games, the talented young Swed was supposed to be taking the next step in his development and helping to provide an offensive punch on the fourth line that most NHL teams do not have.

Ohgren scores immediately for Iowa Wild

So, Guerin sent him down to Iowa to hopefully get right. And if scoring seven minutes into your first game back in the AHL isn’t the start of something good… then I don’t know what is. But that’s exactly what Liam Ohgren did for the Minnesota Wild affiliate on Saturday night.

Yep, he's back! 🎯 #WildTerritory pic.twitter.com/JqvKdRLAxo

— Iowa Wild (@IAWild) October 18, 2025

That is why, at least in large part, the MN Twins have come out losers in nine of their last ten games. On Sunday, they tried to counter by using a left-handed opener against Milwaukee’s lefty-heavy top of the lineup… and it failed miserably.

Manager Rocco Baldelli made it clear after the game that he won’t hesitate to use the opener strategy again, something he clearly expects to do more of, while Pablo and Zebby recover from their shoulder injuries.

Connor Gillispie becomes Minnesota Twins latest waiver claim

But whether it’s at the beginning, middle or end of the game, the Minnesota Twins are starting to come to the reality that they will need more arms available, whether that be in the bullpen or rotation.

So on Monday, they snagged righty pitcher, Connor Gillispie, off waivers. The 27-year-old was there after, being cut from the Miami Marlins 40-man roster over the weekend. MLB waiver rules force the Twins to add Gillispie to their 40-man roster, taking up their final vacant spot, but he’ll actually start his Twins career in St. Paul.

Twins roster move: RHP Connor Gillispie was claimed off waivers from the Marlins and optioned to Class AAA.

Gillispie, 27, had an 8.65 ERA in six starts for Miami. That fills the last open spot on the Twins’ 40-man roster.

— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) June 23, 2025

The Minnesota Twins have done plenty of roster shuffling in recent weeks. They claimed Joey Wentz (Pittsburgh) back on June 11, the same day they moved Pablo Lopez off the active 40-man and onto the 60-day injured list.

What can Gillispie off the Twins?

Last season, Connor Gillispie made his big league debut out of the bullpen with the Cleveland Guardians. He pitched just eight innings over three games, but finished with respectable numbers 2.25 ERA and 1.125 WHIP, albeit a small sample size.

This year, however, Gillispie came up as a starter for the Miami Marlins, posting a brutal 8.65 ERA (5.69 FIP) across 26 innings. He did have some success early this season, back in April, but he’s mostly disappointed since.

Great outing for Connor Gillispie. Command was awesome, and had some HUGE strikeouts.

5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K

Clutch strikeout here of Lindor on a cutter to end the 5th. pic.twitter.com/zY68XKcX7q

— Jeremiah Geiger (@JeremiahGeiger2) April 2, 2025

Unfortunately, Connor Gillispie — who joins Jonah Bride as the second former Marlin to be acquired by Minnesota this year — hasn’t performed much better down the minors.

In eight games (seven starts) with Triple-A Columbus, the former 9th round draft pick out of VCU has posted a 4.28 ERA in 33.1 innings, with just 5.9 SO/9, which is way down from the 8.8 SO/9 during his career. His walks (4.3 BB/9) are way up too.

Minnesota Twins desperate for pitching help

This is an unfortunate cry for depth from the Minnesota Twins. Andrew Morris would have been next in line to start big league games, if needed. Then this weekend, he landed on the Saints’ injured list.

Pierson Ohl was promoted to St. Paul on Monday, where he will be inserted into the rotation. His prospect does not shine like those who recently have come up and struggled (David Festa, Simeon Woods Richardson, and Zebby Matthews).

Related: Expect More Minnesota Twins “Openers”

It remains to be seen if Gillispie will work his way into the Minnesota Twins plans.They could have rostered Richard Lovelady for the bullpen, and turned to Wentz if in need of a starter. Lovelady recently opted out of his minor league deal with the Twins, after posting a 1.31 ERA across 20 2/3 innings with the Saints.

He signed Monday with the New York Mets.

Minnesota Vikings sign another tight end, release Matt Harmon

That’s because it came just days after an earlier report dropped that the 28-year-old Oliver was not interested in signing a new deal anytime soon. In other news, though, the Vikings also swapped out one of their 2025 undrafted free agent signings, OLB Matt Harmon, for 2020 UDFA, TE Giovanni Ricci.

The #Vikings have signed TE Giovanni Ricci (@G_Ricci10) and released OLB Matt Harmon. pic.twitter.com/1SVOw0idVS

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) June 10, 2025

The 28-year-old Ricci played three seasons with the Carolina Panthers, but he hasn’t recorded an NFL appearance since 2023. The former Western Michigan standout takes the place of an outside linebacker in Matt Harmon, an undrafted rookie the Minnesota Vikings signed prior to rookie training camp.

Who is new Viking, Giovanni Ricci?

Giovanni Ricci was forced to sit out the entire 2024 season — following three seasons in Carolina where he caught 9 passes on 12 targets for 102 yards and 0 touchdowns (36 starts) — thanks to a knee injury he suffered at Cleveland Browns training camp last August.

In case anyone was wondering, Giovanni Ricci has been pleasantly surprising in camp so far for the #Browns.

He’s definitely answered some of the TE3 questions that the team had entering training camp.
pic.twitter.com/VzownGX0uV

— Matt Wilson (@CoachWilson66) August 9, 2024

Most of Ricci’s playing time with the Panthers came on special teams, where he totalled 644 snaps (PFF) over three seasons. After being released by the Browns last summer, no other team was willing to give him a shot during the regular season.

Finally, just a week before the Super Bowl (on February 3, 2025), Ricci signed a futures contract with the New England Patriots. Two and a half months later (April 29), they released him. Now, he’ll get his latest shot in the league this week at minicamp. It’s his first opportunity with the Minnesota Vikings.

Related: Former Minnesota Vikings Running Back Lands Tryout in New Orleans

In all likelihood, the main reason for this signing is the ongoing recovery of newly drafted Gavin Bartholomew (Pitt), who’s been out with an undisclosed injury.

Unfortunately for career minor leaguers (OF) Ryan Fitzgerald and (UF) Mickey Gasper, they will not be around when the Royals roll in this weekend. They no longer have Thursday night off, either.

Twins send Ryan Fitzgerald, Mickey Gasper down to Triple A

Instead, Fitzgerald (30 y/o) and Gasper (29 y/o) will be across the river, in St. Paul, playing for the Triple-A Saints, after both players were sent back to the minors this afternoon. Prior to Thursday’s roster move, the Minnesota Twins active roster had been expanded to 27 players, due to their doubleheader Wednesday. After the moves, the 26-man roster sits at just 25.

We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/ZTRie5zhaK

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) May 22, 2025

Most likely, the Twins wanted both Gasper and Fitzgerald available for the Saints today, thus why they pulled the demotion trigger early on both guys. Ryan Fitzgerald — who was called up for his MLB debut — played in two games and got three at-bats, while up with the Minnesota Twins. He scored one run, but did not record a hit or strikeout.

Gasper has not seen the MLB field since May 2. He was called up as the Twins’ 27th man for the doubleheader, but never saw the field. Gasper hit .176 (.488 OPS) with 4 walks and 3 RBI in 17 big league games prior to that early May demotion. Since being sent down.

The 29-year-old utility man has been crushing Triple A pitching, putting out a .333 batting average (1.170 OPS with 7 triples, 5 doubles and 15 RBI, in the same exact 17 games. How about that for a turnaround…

Carlos Correa set to return to Minnesota Twins active roster

According to multiple reports, the corresponding roster move that’ll eventually put the MN Twins back at 26 active players is expected to (eventually) be the activation of Carlos Correa off the 7-day concussion list. Why the delay? C4 is not eligible to return until Friday, per MLB concussion protocol.

#MNTwins option Ryan Fitzgerald to Triple-A St. Paul and returned 27th man Mickey Gasper. Both playing tonight.

No corresponding move today but it’s safe to say Carlos Correa is expected to return for Friday’s game against Kansas City.

— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) May 22, 2025

On Wednesday, reports broke that Correa was feeling much better, and that he had mostly passed all tests and protocols, even resuming baseball activities. Thus, today’s news isn’t surprising. The question now becomes… what Carlos Correa will we see step back into the batter’s box on Friday?

Related: Royce Lewis is Back and Better Than Ever… on Defense

That’s the question, because prior to his collision with Byron Buxton, which caused both players’ concussions, the 30-year-old former top 5 MVP candidate was just starting to dig himself out of the .236 BA, .605 OPS, 69 OPS+ hole he had dug himself into, to start the 2025 season.

Speaking of Buck, Hayes is being told by Minnesota Twins trainers that he too is “trending in the right direction”.

Everything Nick Paparesta said about Carlos Correa on Weds was positive. Concussion symptoms were gone after he’d performed a bunch of baseball activity. He said Byron Buxton also is trending the right direction, but was a step behind Correa. #MNTwins

— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) May 22, 2025

But on Sunday, they made a more surprising roster move, sending lefty reliever Danny Coulombe to the injured list with a ‘left forearm extensor strain’. In his place, the Twins have recalled starting pitcher Zebby Matthews to start on Sunday afternoon, a move that was reported on Saturday.

Minnesota Twins roster moves made official on Sunday

In another official move that was announced alongside the Coulombe for Matthews swap, Minnesota transferred infielder Luke Keaschall — and his right forearm fracture — to the 60-day injured list. That made room on the 40-man roster for the much anticipated MLB debut of young slugger, Carson McCusker, whose closest MLB comp is… Aaron Judge. But more on him momentarily.

We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/212QB3DqDq

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) May 18, 2025

The surprising injured list stay for Danny Coulombe significantly hurts the Minnesota Twins bullpen, which now needs another arm in the very near future. Not only was Coulombe the only lefty in the bullpen, but he had pitched 16.2 scoreless innings for Rocco Baldelli & Co this season, prior to his injury.

Not only is his ERA+ incalculable, but his 0.600 WHIP and 1.18 FIP are nearly just as impressive. The 35-year-old former 25th round draft pick in 2012 has already amassed 1.1 WAR, 5th most among MLB relievers, in part thanks to his 19 strikeouts vs just 2 walks allowed.

#MNTwins Danny Coulombe now has an elite 19 K and only 1 BB this season. He's amongst the top 1% in baseball for K/BB. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/kUYjeKzwua

— Talkin' Twins (@TalkinTwins) May 11, 2025

Danny Coulombe, placed on the 15-day IL with a left forearm extensor strain, said he’s been pitching through it all year.

“When you’re 35, you’re not going to feel good all the time.”

He’s optimistic it will be a short absence.

— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) May 18, 2025

Onto the exciting news that was made official today, but yet another move that was actually reported on Saturday. He isn’t in the starting lineup Sunday afternoon in Milwaukee, but 6’8″, 250 lb right-handed slugger Carson McCusker is now on both the 40-man and active 26-man Minnesota Twins roster.

Here comes Carson McCusker…

Why has the fanbase been waiting so impatiently to see McCusker in a Twins uniform? Well, because the 27-year-old‘s closest comp is Aaron Judge. And not just because of his overwhelming human frame.

Related: New Minnesota Twins Promotions Bring Two Debuts

Yes, McCusker look like the right-handed version of the New York Yankees superstar, when he’s standing in the batter’s box, but Carson McCusker’s been hitting the baseball a lot like Judge recently too.

In 38 games this season down at Triple A St. Paul, the former undrafted kid out of Oklahoma State is hitting an absurd .350, with a 1.061 OPS built on 10 HR, 11 doubles, 13 walks and 36 RBI. He’s also struck out 46 times… but with these numbers, who’s counting?

6'8, 250. The guy our broadcaster, @TheVoiceBTV, dubbed McCrusher. Undrafted, to Indy ball, to slashing .350/.412/.650 with us. Top 10 in 8 different major offensive categories & 2nd highest exit velo in the Minors. Congrats to @carson_mccusker @exploreminn call up to #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/lHNRZMnDfK

— St. Paul Saints (@StPaulSaints) May 18, 2025

While McCusker was undrafted after college, he was selected in the 26th round of the 2017 MLB Draft, out of Folsom Lake Community College, in Folsom (CA). Instead, he chose four years at Oklahoma State, where he slashed .294/.367/.519 (.886 OPS).

That wasn’t good enough to get a phone call during the 2021 MLB Draft, though. After going undrafted, McCusker played two summers of Independent League baseball, in the Frontier League.

Related: Origin of Minnesota Twins Spartan Helmet Celebration Revealed

Then in 2023, at 25 years old, he finally got his shot in affiliated ball, signing with the Minnesota Twins. Now, after 207 minor league games in the organization between single A and triple A, the right-handed hitting monster batted .290 with a .886 OPS (43 HR, 147 RBI).

Two years later, even if it doesn’t come Sunday, Carson McCusker will soon get his first opportunity to prove he can hit anywhere, including the big leagues.

Now above .500 for the first time all season and in the midst of a ten game winning streak, however, the Twins have decided to make the first major change to their rotation, outside of a quick injured list stint by Pablo Lopez earlier in the year.

Simeon Woods Richardson demoted by MN Twins

Minnesota knocked off the Baltimore Orioles in both games of their doubleheader on Wednesday, the Minnesota Twins optioned their late-game starter, Simeon Woods Richardson, down to Triple A St. Paul, after forced his offense to make up for the 6 earned runs off 8 hits (2 HR) and 2 walks, in just 4 innings of work.

Kody Funderburk, who was called up as Minnesota’s emergency 27th man for yesterday’s doubleheader, will now remain on the Twins 26-man roster. The 28-year-old worked 1 1/3 innings scoreless of scoreless work during Wednesday’s doubleheader.

We have made the following roster move: pic.twitter.com/NV43lQMkBC

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) May 15, 2025

Funderburk provides Baldelli a second lefty, pairing with Danny Coulombe, out in the bullpen. He has made three big league appearances this season and has thrown 5 1/3 innings. At Triple-A St. Paul Funderburk has appeared in 10 games with a 2.19 ERA across 12 1/3 innings. He has a 16/5 K/BB on the farm.

Related: 45-Year-Old Former Minnesota Twins Pitcher Signs With New AL Central Team

Minnesota would love Funderburk to put together a season that he has looked capable of from St. Paul. He allowed just a single run in 12 innings as a rookie back in 2023. Last season’s 6.49 ERA (4.55 FIP) across 34 2/3 innings wasn’t good. That’s also not reflective of what he has shown capable of.

What’s wrong with Simeon Woods Richardson?

Unfortunately for Woods Richardson, this week’s start was just the latest in a line of less-than-efficient outings for the young 24-year-old right-hander, ballooning his ERA up to 5.02 and FIP to 5.28.

Cedric Mullins got him for a grand slam, and Heston Kjerstad immediately followed with a solo shot. It was the culmination of a tough outing, and the 24-year-old goes back to St. Paul owning a 5.02 ERA for the Twins.

In his last five starts, Woods Richardson has pitched into the fifth inning just once. Although yesterday was the first time he had allowed more than four runs during a start, his last five turns have resulted in a 5.48 ERA (6.15 FIP). Opposing batters own an .871 OPS against him in that stretch as well.

The Entertainer has left the building!! pic.twitter.com/MWEY3208Ol

— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) May 14, 2025

The reality is that Woods Richardson’s best outings haven’t been good enough to avoid making a change. Not when the Minnesota Twins have potential horses like David Festa and Zebby Matthews chomping at the bit, in St. Paul.

Last season, SWR owned a 4.17 ERA (4.12 FIP), which might have been the very best he has to offer, at this point in his career, especially considering he was able to thread the ERA needle while posting a 1.540 WHIP. That’s way too many men on base, no matter how many he was allowing to come in.

New starter coming for Minnesota Twins

The stay for Funderburk may be brief as Minnesota will need to replace Woods Richardson in the starting rotation, by the time his next start comes around. Star Tribune beat writer Bobby Nightengale is reporting that Zebby Matthews will be promoted and make the start on Sunday in Milwaukee.

“Zebby Matthews, who has posted a 1.93 ERA in seven starts for the St. Paul Saints, is expected to fill Woods Richardson’s slot in the rotation, the Minnesota Star Tribune learned. The Twins haven’t announced their starter for Sunday at Milwaukee.”

Bobby Nightengale – Star Tribune

Zebby Matthews, who’s been dealing for the Saints, has certainly earned this opportunity. Zebby currently owns a 1.93 ERA in seven Triple-A starts. His 38/9 K/BB follows the command and control profile he has become known for down on the farm.

Matthews has not yet appeared in the majors this season. Last year he posted a 6.69 ERA (5.71 FIP) across nine starts as a rookie. His 43/11 K/BB in 37 2/3 innings absolutely worked. It was the 11 longballs that did him in. Matthews’ 4th and 9th starts accounted for 15 of his 28 total earned runs.

David Festa, who hasn’t pitched since May 6th, was skipped during his last turn due to arm fatigue. He previously filled in for Pablo Lopez earlier this year. Festa is scheduled to start on Saturday for St. Paul.

Related: Origin of Minnesota Twins Spartan Helmet Celebration Revealed

The demotion isn’t a death sentence for Woods Richardson, by any means. Now, his job is to go down, and get better, then fight his way back, which won’t be easy, given the high-end talent that Matthews represents.

After losing four-straight, including three of four in Cleveland, the MN Twins open a new series on Tuesday evening against the Baltimore Orioles, after taking two of three in Fenway over the Boston Red Sox this weekend. Over the past three weeks the Twins have been riding a rollercoaster of winning and losing stretches.

• 4/13-4/16: WON 3-of-4 (Tigers, Mets)
• 4/18-4/20: LOST 3-Straight (Braves)
• 4/22-4/28: WON 6-of-7 (White Sox, Angels, Guardians)
• 4/29-5/2: LOST 4-Straight (Guardians, Red Sox)
• 5/3-5/4: WON 2-Straight (Red Sox)

To this point, the Twins’ have kept their season afloat without 2017 No. 1 overall draft pick Royce Lewis, a key piece to their lineup puzzle both now and in the future. But that will not be the case, going forward.

Minnesota Twins activate Royce Lewis, Willi Castro

On Monday, Minnesota’s lineup got a whole lot better when both Lewis and 2024 All-Star utility man, Willi Castro were officially activated off the injured list. In corresponding roster moves, the Twins optioned infielders Edouard Julien and Mickey Gasper to Triple A.

We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/NoHdfJ3yYu

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) May 5, 2025

Royce Lewis, who turns 26 years old in June, will step into the batter’s box on Tuesday at Target Field with all sorts of questions. Beyond his chronic inability to stay healthy early in his career, Lewis fell off a productivity cliff during the second half of 2024, finishing with a disappointing .233 batting average and 74/28 K/BB ratio.

Related: Other MLB Teams Eyeing Up Minnesota Twins Ace Pitcher Already

Yet, even at his worst, Royce Lewis put up a respectable .747 OPS and 106 OPS+ last year. In an injury riddled first three seasons of his MLB career, Royce Lewis has hit .268 with an impressive .825 OPS and 126 OPS+. Optioning Julien means Brooks Lee and Willi Castro will split time at second base.

Castro will also spell Lewis plenty at third base. Prior to his injury, Willi Castro was struggling at the plate, hitting just .227 with a .655 OPS and 84 OPS+. In 2024, the 28-year-old Puerto Rican made the AL All-Star Game as a Utility Fielder, a new position added to the roster last year.

Castro, Lewis replace Mickey Gasper and Eddie Julien

With two-plus seasons as a member of the Minnesota Twins, Castro holds a .249 batting average, .725 OPS and 101 OPS+. He’s a swiss army knife who can play anywhere on the field, outside of catcher. Unfortunately, he isn’t a plus-fielder at any position, something that bares its ugly head every once in a while.

But no matter, because the Twins want and need fielders with position flexibility. And when it comes to utility players in the MLB, they don’t get much better than Willi Castro. Without a doubt, he’ll fill the role better than Mickey Gasper, who batted .176 with a .488 OPS in 34 at bats for the Twins, in Castro’s absence.

Mickey Gasper finally got his first big league hit and his family got to see it!pic.twitter.com/0pjbt3WTKF

— Tyler Milliken (@tylermilliken_) March 29, 2025

Related: Umpire Cusses Himself Out on Hot Mic After MN Twins’ Successful Challenge

Eddie Julien heads back down to St. Paul after riding the MLB struggle bus yet again. We all knew the 26-year-old second baseman would bring down the defense, but he was supposed to bring a bat on offense that made you forget about all that. Instead, we’ve wanted to forget he ever got called up in the first place.

In 91 at bats in 2025, Eddie Julien is batting below the Mendoza Line, at .198, with a .607 OPS and 71 OPS+ (-0.4 WAR). If the Canadian kid can’t figure things out soon, he will be out of opportunities with the Minnesota Twins.

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.

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.

Luke Keaschall has been called up by Twins, will bat 8th as DH vs Braves tonight. Mickey Gasper has been optioned to AAA St Paul. RHP Matt Cantetino has been DFA’d off 40-man roster to make room. Willi Castro recovering, stays on roster for now.

— Phil Miller (@MillerStrib) April 18, 2025

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.

Luke Keaschall's first Triple-A @StPaulSaints homer was a no-doubter 😤

MLB's No. 57 prospect has soared up the @Twins' system since being a second-round pick in 2023. pic.twitter.com/r1aL4kRyAI

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 12, 2025

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.

Man Jonah Bride was a pulled fly ball expert in 2024 pic.twitter.com/YptSPf4Hs3

— FreeMNTWINS (@freemntwins) April 17, 2025

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.

Joel Eriksson Ek and Kirill Kaprizov are back on the ice, after both top forwards missed more than a month with lower body injuries. On defense, Jake Middleton and Jared Spurgeon are both expected to be active, after late-season injury scares of their own.

But not only are the Minnesota Wild fully healthy, on paper, but the blue line seems likely to get a major skill upgrade, as well. Former University of Denver superstar Zeev Buium — the No. 12 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft and current No. 2 overall prospect in all of hockey (The Athletic) — has been practicing with the team for a few days… and he’s been reportedly running the Wild’s top power play unit.

Minnesota Wild recall top goalie prospect Jesper Wallstedt

Zeev isn’t the only top prospect traveling with the team to Vegas this weekend. On Friday, the MN Wild called up another valuable youngster, this time from Iowa, goalie Jesper Wallstedt, who will be the team’s emergency net-minder for round one.

#mnwild have recalled Jesper Wallstedt to be third goalie in playoffs

— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) April 18, 2025

Jesper Wallstedt has had a very difficult year of professional hockey. The Minnesota Wild entered the season with a three-goalie rotation between Filip Gustavsson, Marc-Andre Fleury and Wallstedt. Within just a week or two, however, Gustavsson had cemented himself as the clear No. 1, ahead of both the HOFer and top prospect.

That put President of Hockey Operations Bill Guerin in a pickle. Wallstedt needed reps in net and it was looking increasingly obvious that those opportunities were going to be few and far between in the NHL.

Tough year for Wild’s top goalie prospect

So, Billy made the only logical move and sent Jesper Wallstedt down to Iowa. Unfortunately, that is not where the 22-year-old wanted to be… and his play showed it. Wallstedt — who has been up and down from Iowa a couple times since his early-season demotion — allowed four or more goals in four of his first seven AHL games (starting Nov. 7), including a brutal 8 goals allowed showing Nov. 16 vs the Texas Stars.

Related: Minnesota Wild Goalie Prospect Takes Tumble Down Prospect Rankings

When the dust settled on his 2024-25 season, Jesper Wallstedt played 27 AHL games, posting a career-worst 3.59 GAA and .879 save percentage. Thankfully, the season eventually ended. Now, he gets to hang out with Gus and Flower, while he tries to regain his confidence going into a crucial offseason.

JESPER WALLSTEDT WENT FULL MARC ANDRE FLEURY pic.twitter.com/xOyvo51qtn

— Spoked Z (@SpokedZ) October 14, 2023

Going forward, the Minnesota Wild hope and pray that this awful year for the NHL’s former No. 1 goalie prospect was just a speed bump in the road to what previously looked like an incredibly bright future.