It's finally here. Nearly six months after the Twins (finally) made a postseason run, eventually falling to the Houston Astros in the American League Division Series, they're back in action Thursday in Kansas City for the season opener.
Expectations are high for Twins' fans. And those expectations are being met by the Twins themselves who come into the season full of confidence that they can build on last year's AL Central title and a Wild Card victory over Toronto.
"We're excited about this team," says President of Baseball Operations for the Twins, Derek Falvey.
Speaking to the WCCO Morning News with Vineeta Sawkar, Falvey says he's also very optimistic about centerfielder Byron Buxton, who has not been able to play in the field the last two seasons due to multiple injuries. Falvey says he makes a tremendous impact by being in the field.
"The energy he brings, we've been hopeful through the offseason, how he was feeling," says Falvey. "That really shifted our thinking around how he's really feeling good. We know we're a better team with Buxton in center. He gets to go lead us off today and be a big part of this team."
Falvey also says that having Royce Lewis healthy will make a big difference.
"I said to Royce yesterday, this is your first opening day," says Falvey. "Where you're here, on the roster. It feels like he's been around longer than that, he just hasn't had that chance because of the health."
ROSTER MOVES
The Twins have some pitching issues to start the year thanks to injuries.
Prior to Thursday's opener, the team announced that newly acquired right-handed pitcher Anthony DeSclafani will go on the 60-day disabled list with a right elbow strain. They're still exploring whether or not DeSclafani, who was part of the trade that sent Jorge Polanco to Seattle, will need surgery which could end his season.
The Twins biggest loss as they sesaon begins is closer Jhoan Duran who has a right oblique strain. He'll be on the 15-day list, retroactive to March 25.
"I'm always concerned, even when things are fully healthy," Falvey said Thursday morning. "It's my job to keep a look ahead. But ultimately, our starting staff enters the season in a good spot. We got Pablo going today with Joe Ryan with Chris Paddack back, Bailey Ober, Louie Varland. Those guys we feel really good about. The bullpen took some hits. Jhoan Duran going down, that's never easy."
Another bullpen arm, left-handed pitcher Caleb Thielbar is also on the 15-day DL retroactive to March 25 with a left hamstring strain.
Falvey adds that they still have a wave of young arms that he feels good about, and says Thielbar and Duran shouldn't be out for long. He says they'll take it slowly with Duran's oblique strain but they're optimistic it won't linger.
The Twins 26-man Opening Day roster is now set. This will be the team the Twins field in Kansas City.
PITCHERS (13): RHP Jorge Alcala, RHP Daniel Duarte, LHP Kody Funderburk, RHP Jay Jackson, RHP Griffin Jax, RHP Pablo López, RHP Bailey Ober, LHP Steven Okert, RHP Chris Paddack, RHP Joe Ryan, RHP Cole Sands, RHP Brock Stewart and RHP Louie Varland
CATCHERS (2): Ryan Jeffers and Christian Vázquez
INFIELDERS (6): Carlos Correa, Kyle Farmer, Edouard Julien, Alex Kirilloff, Royce Lewis, Carlos Santana
OUTFIELDERS (4): Byron Buxton, Max Kepler, Manuel Margot, Matt Wallner
UTILITY (1): Willi Castro
INJURED LIST (7): RHP Jhoan Duran (15-day – right oblique strain), RHP Anthony DeSclafani (60-day – right elbow strain), RHP Josh Staumont (15-day – left calf strain), LHP Caleb Thielbar (15-day – left hamstring strain), RHP Justin Topa (15-day – left patellar tendinitis), RHP Zack Weiss (15-day – right shoulder strain), RHP Josh Winder (60-day – right scapular stress fracture)
OPENING DAY LINEUP
The Twins will send out this crew for opening day Thursday in Kansas City.
1. Buxton CF
2. Jeffers C
3. Lewis 3B
4. Correa SS
5. Santana 1B
6. Kepler RF
7. Farmer 2B
8. Castro LF
9. Margot DH
López RHP
BROADCAST DETAILS
Both Cory Provus and Kris Atteberry will make their debuts in new broadcast roles Thursday, with Provus moving to the television booth for Bally Sports North, and Atteberry taking over play-by-play duties on the radio side. Dan Gladden will continue in his role on the radio broadcasts as well as some newer voices to the radio like former Twin player and manager Paul Molitor and former Gopher and Twin pitcher Glen Perkins who will be on throughout the season.
For 40 years, Dick Bremer had been the Twins television voice. He's now stepping aside as Provus takes over on TV.
Every Twins game can be heard live on 830 WCCO, 102.9 FM, and on the Audacy App (in-market restrictions apply).