Austin

Martin

Martin has been out since August 16 with a hamstring injury, so he will likely not need a long rehab assignment before returning. With Walker Jenkins now up, it feels like Martin would most likely return to a bench role.

Alex Jackson is replacing Martin, much to the chagrin of anyone hoping it was Walker Jenkins time. Martin had been playing left field against left-handed pitchers. Those extra starts figure to go to Ryan Kreidler and Victor Caratini now.

If Martin goes on the IL, the Twins would probably prefer to replace him with another right-handed bat, which could get Gabriel Gonzalez a look. Kevin Fedko would have been the obvious choice, but he just went on the injured list in Triple-A.

Martin delivered an epic stat sheet stuffing performance, filling up the box score with an impressive all-around fantasy effort. The 27-year-old smacked a solo homer off Orioles starter Trevor Rogers in the third inning as part of a four-hit performance. He also tallied his 12th stolen base of the year.

That’s odd, especially after The Athletic’s Dan Hayes just wrote about Larnach potentially being available in trade. However, it probably has something to do with the fact that Larnach is 0-for-12 against Cleveland starter Gavin Williams in his career. The Twins have Austin Martin starting in Larnach’s place in left field today. Brooks Lee is leading off.

It’s a well-deserved day of rest for the 33-year-old slugger who has been a staple in the middle of the Twins’ lineup this season. Bell is having a decent year overall, slashing .244/.301/.397 with nine homers and 51 RBI in 322 plate appearances for the Twins. Byron Buxton will get a chance to get off of his feet and serve as the designated hitter on Sunday while Austin Martin draws a start in center field and bats eighth against Ryan Feltner and the Rockies.

Martin, who is hitting .193 (21-for-109) with one homer and four steals over his last 30 games, has been moved to the top of the order to face Tigers lefty Framber Valdez with Byron Buxton hitting second. The other notable lineup development for Minnesota involves Royce Lewis making his third consecutive start at first base.

It appears to be just a routine day off for Martin, who is sitting against White Sox RHP Davis Martin while Kody Clemens gets some reps in right field. Martin is hitting just .220/.270/.339 in his last 16 games as a (mostly) full-time starter after the Twins optioned out Matt Wallner.

Martin will be the biggest beneficiary of Matt Wallner’s demotion, and he should have a chance to play nearly every day until the Twins decide Emmanuel Rodríguez or Walker Jenkins is ready (both are actually on the Triple-A IL at the moment) or wants to give Wallner another chance. Martin’s exit velocity numbers remain weak, but he’s batting .333 anyway, and his 18/22 K/BB in 130 plate appearances is exceptional. As a decent source of batting average, steals and, potentially, runs scored, he’s an option in deeper mixed leagues.

Wallner has really struggled to begin the season, striking out in 37 percent of his plate appearances and forging a .172/.274/.290 slash. The 28-year-old outfielder will get a break with Austin Martin getting the start in right field against Logan Gilbert and the M’s.