Image courtesy of Ed Bailey, Wichita Wind Surge
Minnesota Twins fans have grown all too familiar with the phrase “if he can stay healthy.” From Byron Buxton to Royce Lewis, the organization’s top prospects often find their ascent to the majors hindered by injuries. Now, the latest to join this unfortunate list is Walker Jenkins, the Twins’ top prospect and the No. 6 overall prospect in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline.
Jenkins’ 2025 season has been marred by a left high ankle sprain sustained early in the year. He suffered an ankle injury during spring training but was on track for the start of the season. After playing just two games for Double-A Wichita, he experienced renewed stiffness in the same ankle, leading to his placement on the injured list on April 9. Despite initial hopes for a swift recovery, the injury lingered, necessitating a cortisone injection in late April to alleviate persistent inflammation.
Many Twins fans have been anxiously awaiting word on when Jenkins would return to the field. Since he isn’t on the big-league roster, updates on his injury status are hard to come by. The team is less likely to provide recovery details because Jenkins is recovering at the team’s facility in Fort Myers, and the decision-makers at Target Field don’t have daily visibility into his condition even with the internal reports being provided.
Twins General Manager Jeremy Zoll provided an update on Jenkins’ condition during an appearance on Sirius XM’s MLB Network “Front Office” radio show, stating: “I think we finally flushed out all the inflammation and all the soreness,” Zoll said. “He’s been ramping up his activity. … We’re optimistic that he’ll be on the field within the next few weeks.”
Twins president Derek Falvey was on Inside Twins on Sunday and was also asked about Jenkins. “High ankles are tricky…I think that’s the tougher part,” he said. “Sometimes people think a broken ankle is better than a high ankle sprain in certain situations. Mostly because you don’t have a perfect sense of timeline and how a guy is feeling coming back.”
Falvey went on to say, “He continues to track well and progress well. We don’t have a specific date for his return but ultimately we know he is going to be fine once he gets back here soon. We just need to make sure we get it all the way cleared out.”
Given the nature of high ankle sprains, which can be particularly troublesome for athletes, the Twins are understandably cautious. Jenkins is not expected to return to minor league action until mid-June at the earliest. This approach aligns with the team’s handling of his previous injuries.
In his first professional season in 2024, Jenkins missed two months due to a hamstring injury but still managed to play 82 games across four levels, posting a .282/.394/.439 (.833) slash line with 32 extra-base hits and 17 stolen bases. To maximize his at-bats while minimizing physical strain, he often served as the designated hitter, with only 37 starts made in the outfield.
Looking ahead, the Twins are likely to continue this cautious approach. If Jenkins returns to full health in the second half of the season, he could be a candidate for the Arizona Fall League, providing him with additional at-bats and development opportunities. However, this is putting the cart way before the horse, because his participation will heavily depend on his health status.
The Twins’ history with top prospects and injuries is well-documented. Royce Lewis has endured two ACL surgeries and multiple muscle strains, limiting him to just 152 games in his first three seasons. Byron Buxton, despite his immense talent, has played more than 100 games in a season only twice in his decade-long career, often sidelined by various injuries. Alex Kirilloff, once a promising hitter, retired at 26 after persistent wrist, shoulder, and back issues took a toll on his physical and mental well-being. The list could go on and on.
This pattern underscores the challenges the Twins face in developing and maintaining the health of their top talents. For Jenkins, the hope is that with careful management and a bit of luck, he can break this cycle and fulfill his potential as a cornerstone player for the franchise.
As the Twins continue to navigate the complexities of player development and health management, the organization and its fans remain hopeful that Jenkins’ journey will be one of resilience and success rather than another chapter in the team’s injury-laden history.
How many games will Jenkins play this season? Leave a comment and start the discussion.