Image courtesy of © Katie Stratman–Imagn Images
The Minnesota Twins are poised to receive a significant boost to their lineup soon, as outfielder Matt Wallner edges closer to returning from a left hamstring strain. On the pitching side, Minnesota’s bullpen was expected to be among the league’s best. After some early season snafus, the relief core has rounded into form, but some injury issues have impacted the group.
OF Matt Wallner
Injury: Left hamstring strain
Wallner landed on the 10-day injured list retroactive to April 15 due to a strained left hamstring suffered against the Mets, sidelining him since that mid-April contest at Target Field. Since that time, Wallner has gradually ramped up his activity, running the bases and taking batting practice. The team hoped a clean workout on Tuesday would clear him to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday. Obviously, the rainy weather in the Twin Cities will impact when he can begin playing.
Manager Rocco Baldelli called the progress “encouraging,” noting that Wallner is about as far along in his recovery as the staff could have hoped for at this stage. Before the injury, the left-handed slugger was Minnesota’s top hitter, posting a .263/.373/.474 line through the first 18 games of the season.
“I would much rather have them winning games when I’m not out there as opposed to the other way around,” Wallner said. “Like it was kind of early. Makes you a bit more excited to get back out there, but 10 times out of 10, you’d rather have the team go on a streak like that as opposed to having them struggle like we were in the beginning.”
Assuming there are no setbacks, Wallner would slot into the Saints’ lineup later this week, where he’ll need a handful of games to regain timing before the Twins feel comfortable activating him.
Expected return: Late May
LHP Danny Coulombe
Injury: Left forearm extensor strain
Coulombe was placed on the 15-day injured list on May 18 with forearm extensor soreness, stemming from lingering muscle tightness in his forearm that has bothered him for much of the year. The Twins view Coulombe’s condition as relatively minor, believing that rest and recovery will allow him to return quickly rather than a long-term concern.
“It’s been something I’ve been kind of just dealing with all year,” Coulombe said. “When you’re 35, you’re not going to feel good all the time. But it’s just something that’s gotten progressively a little worse. … I feel pretty optimistic it’s going to be a short absence.”
Through 19 scoreless appearances before hitting the IL, Coulombe established himself as one of Minnesota’s most reliable bullpen options, yielding only one unearned run and striking out 19 while walking two. In Win Probability Added (WPA), Coulombe trails only closer Jhoan Duran among Twins relievers, underlining his value this season.
Expected Return: Early June
RHP Michael Tonkin
Injury: Right shoulder strain
Tonkin has yet to make his 2025 debut for the parent club, after beginning the season on the IL with a right shoulder strain. He was cleared to begin minor-league rehab outings in mid-April. However, during his sixth rehab appearance, Tonkin developed biceps tendinitis, which the team’s medical team treated with an anti-inflammatory injection. His throwing program has been paused as a result. Baldelli confirmed that Tonkin will be shut down temporarily to address the new soreness and will need to rebuild arm strength before resuming a rehab assignment. Given the timing of this setback, after he had nearly completed a 30-day rehab window, Tonkin won’t return to game action until he completes another ramp-up cycle.
Expected Return: Early July
With Wallner’s rehab assignment looming, the Twins could soon regain one of their most potent bats. He can offer a timely lift to an offense missing multiple big bats, including Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa. Meanwhile, bullpen depth remains in flux, as Coulombe and Tonkin navigate their respective injuries. Fans will watch closely over the next week to see if Wallner’s return sparks another Twins winning stretch and how the bullpen pieces slot back into place once healthy.
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