FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Major League Opening Day is set for Thursday, but the Minors get rolling right after that, with Triple-A getting under way on Friday. As the Twins set their roster for the big league team¡¯s season, plans are also coming into place for prospects.
General manager Jeremy Zoll gave updates Tuesday on the plans for three top Twins prospects who have health considerations to manage.
OF Walker Jenkins (Twins No. 1, MLB No. 3): Jenkins sustained a sprained left ankle early in camp and has been brought along slowly. Zoll said that while it¡¯s possible he will not be on an Opening Day roster, it should not be long before he is in games.
¡°He¡¯s tracking well on the back fields,¡± Zoll said. ¡°So I guess I don¡¯t have an official [statement] one way or the other, but all signs are pointing towards hopefully, probably [being ready]. I think sometimes ... Opening Day gets made out a little bit more than it needs to be, so we¡¯re just trying to set him up for the season. So everything¡¯s tracking well so far on the back fields. Should be in a good spot here.¡±
INF Luke Keaschall (Twins No. 3, MLB No. 60): Keaschall, who is recovering from offseason right elbow surgery, has begun playing some second base in games after serving exclusively as a designated hitter for most of camp.
¡°He¡¯ll still be on a return-to-play program as we are navigating April,¡± Zoll said. ¡°He¡¯ll DH some. He¡¯ll play second. It won¡¯t even be full games at second base in the earliest of going ... He¡¯ll DH some. He¡¯ll play second some. As the season goes on, we¡¯ll start introducing outfield again.¡±
LHP Connor Prielipp (Twins No. 5): Prielipp is not currently dealing with any injury, but his extensive injury history (two left elbow surgeries since 2021) means that the Twins will handle him gently. He will begin the year pitching at Double-A Wichita as a starter, beginning with short outings on an every-seven-day cadence.