{"id":53154,"date":"2025-05-25T08:34:15","date_gmt":"2025-05-25T08:34:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/53154\/"},"modified":"2025-05-25T08:34:15","modified_gmt":"2025-05-25T08:34:15","slug":"matt-wallner-nearing-return-to-minnesota-twins-lineup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/53154\/","title":{"rendered":"Matt Wallner Nearing Return to Minnesota Twins Lineup"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"MattCredit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

The Minnesota Twins pulled out yet another victory on Saturday afternoon<\/a>, this time against division rival Kansas City. That makes manager Rocco Baldelli & Co. 16-2 in their last 18 games.<\/p>\n

Heading into the evening, Minnesota holds sole possession of 2nd place<\/a> in the AL Central, now just 3.5 games back of the Detroit Tigers, who currently hold the best record in the American League, at 33-19. And the good news continues to roll in for the red-hot MN Twins.<\/p>\n

On Friday, news broke that 31-year-old<\/a> center fielder Byron Buxton \u2014 who remains on the concussion list<\/a> after colliding with Carlos Correa<\/a> in shallow center over a week ago \u2014 is getting very close to his return.<\/p>\n

\"MattCredit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

This, now a couple of days after the other 2012 top two overall draft pick<\/a> involved in that outfield crash last week found his way<\/a> off the concussion list and back into the Twins lineup. Buxton following behind Correa throughout this process is no surprise, given Byron\u2019s past history with head injuries. <\/p>\n

Bring on all the good news Minnesota Twins injury updates<\/p>\n

On more than just a baseball level, it is very good to hear that Buck is feeling better. But the good news injury updates continued to roll in on Saturday. This time, it involved Matt Wallner, who has been out since mid-April with a hamstring strain, but recently began a rehab assignment with the St. Paul Saints.<\/p>\n

According to SKOR North\u2019s Declan Goff<\/a> \u2014 who\u2019s been on the Twins\u2019 home beat for a couple of seasons now \u2014 reported that the 27-year-old<\/a> outfielder will get today off, before traveling with the Saints to continue his rehab assignment on the road, in Omaha, Nebraska.<\/p>\n

Then, at some point next week during Minnesota\u2019s upcoming 10-game road trip<\/a>, reports Declan, Matt Wallner is expected to re-join the Twins lineup.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a scheduled off day for Matt Wallner today. He\u2019ll see time in the field tomorrow though, and likely travel with the Saints to Omaha before eventually joining the #MNTwins<\/a> on their 10-game roadtrip.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Declan Goff (@DexsTweets) May 24, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n

Related: Minnesota Twins Rising Up MLB Power Rankings<\/a><\/p>\n

Looking ahead, that 1.5 weeks on the road will begin with a series in Tampa Bay, vs the Rays. After they are finished with the Rays, they\u2019ll fly cross-country for three in Seattle vs the Mariners, before wrapping up the extended trip with four games in Sacramento vs the Athletics.<\/p>\n

When can we expect Matt Wallner back and how has he been feeling?<\/p>\n

If I were to use context clues in order to project Matt\u2019s return to Minnesota\u2019s active roster, I\u2019d pin it on Friday, May 30. That is the Twins\u2019 first game of the road trip out West. Of course, should something happen that requires Wallner to rejoin the lineup sooner than anticipated, I think it\u2019s safe to say he\u2019d be ready.<\/p>\n

In the first two games of his rehab assignment with the St. Paul Saints (both vs the Norfolk Tides), Matt Wallner went<\/a> 5-of-9 (.556) with 6 RBI and 4 runs scored. He\u2019s done most of his damage via two home runs in his rehab debut. The Forest Lake, MN native then returned the next night and smacked a double.<\/p>\n

Make it 2-4 with 2 BOMBS by @Matt_Wallner<\/a>. He crushes this change up to straightaway center. Now just 10 shy of the franchise record. You scoffed when we said he could get it by the end of the weekend. He’s BAAAAAACK pic.twitter.com\/hsKvIzpmBy<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 St. Paul Saints (@StPaulSaints) May 23, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n

Bases loaded loaded and the last man you want to see up if you’re the opposition is @Matt_Wallner<\/a>. You also don’t want to throw him a 92 mph fastball middle half in. Clears the bases with the double. Lead 4-1, still batting bottom 2 pic.twitter.com\/5YarGn4WIP<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 St. Paul Saints (@StPaulSaints) May 24, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n

Prior to being placed on the injured list, Matt was one of the best and most consistent hitters in a Minnesota Twins lineup that desperately needed it, at the time. Whenever Wallner is eventually activated, he will look to improve on an already impressive .263\/.373\/.474 slash line.<\/p>\n

Related: Royce Lewis is Back and Better Than Ever\u2026 on Defense<\/a><\/p>\n

In 57 big league at-bats<\/a> so far this season, the Twins starting right fielder is touting an .847 OPS and 135 OPS+. Batting exclusively in the leadoff spot, Matt Wallner has batted in three runs and scored another seven.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s splattered numbers all over the box score, hitting one homer, five doubles and a triple, to go with 19 strikeouts and 9 walks. We\u2019ll see if Rocco wants to insert Matt back into the leadoff role, and if so, how quickly.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMentioned in this article: injury updates<\/a> matt wallner<\/a> <\/p>\n

More About:Minnesota Twins<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t