Minnesota

Twins

Bradley was outstanding again, and this makes back-to-back starts where the 25-year-old has struck out double-digit hitters. The only run allowed was a solo homer by Rhys Hoskins, and sans that, he had zero issue disposing of the Cleveland lineup while picking up his eighth victory of the season and lowering his ERA to 3.67. After going through a bit of a dip in the middle of June, Bradley has really looked the part, and he’ll get a chance to keep it going against the lowly Angels on Sunday.

Culpepper was officially placed on the minor league injured list on Tuesday with a glute strain. It’s the same hip-related issue that forced him to miss time last month. The 23-year-old has certainly shown enough on the doorstep of the majors to warrant a call-up to the big leagues, but that won’t happen until he’s healthy again. He’s a worthwhile stash in deeper mixed leagues, but fantasy managers in shallow formats can probably find a better use for his roster spot.

Roden receives the call to replace injured franchise cornerstone Byron Buxton (hip) ahead of Tuesday’s series opener against the Guardians. The 26-year-old was picked up from the Blue Jays in the ill-fated Louis Varland deal at last year’s trade deadline. Roden played in just 12 games for Minnesota before undergoing thumb surgery last August while Varland has blossomed into a dominant closer for Toronto.

Buxton winds up requiring a trip to the injured list after aggravating a previous hip issue during Sunday’s series finale against the Yankees. It’s a concerning development for the Twins, and fantasy managers, and it likely eliminates any chance of him playing in next week’s All-Star Game in Philadelphia. There should be a definitive update on his status and clear return timetable at some point later this week.

Culpepper lobbied to stay in the game but was removed anyway. The last update was that Culpepper was being listed as day-to-day while the team awaited X-rays. As of Tuesday, July 7th, he has still not gotten into a game, so we should expect some clarity on the situation, one way or another, soon, but Culpepper himself has said the hand is not broken.

Laweryson has shuttled back-and-forth between Minnesota’s relief mix and Triple-A St. Paul this season, making 15 appearances in the big leagues. The well-traveled 28-year-old figures to return again after the All-Star break when the Twins require a fresh arm. He’s been shipped out to make room for newly acquired reliever Woo-Suk Go.

Wallner is now hitting .282/.376/.607 with 15 home runs, 42 RBI, and a 49/17 K/BB ratio in 42 games since being demoted to Triple-A. Yes, the strikeouts remain a bit of an issue and probably always will, but the 28-year-old has consistent power that teams covet. It might make sense for the Twins to use this hot stretch to give him MLB at-bats and see if they can trade him at the deadline to a team that wants a left-handed power bat off the bench.

Go has an assignment clause in his contract, so he has to be added to the active roster. Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports that move will be made prior to Tuesday’s game. Go has struck out 32 hitters over 27 2/3 innings in Triple-A this year, and will get a chance to help the Minnesota bullpen.

Buxton singled in the first inning and was caught trying to steal second base, which appears to have been where he sustained the injury. Hopefully it’s just a minor issue and the Twins are being cautious here, but with Buxton’s extensive injury history you just can’t rule out the chances of him heading to the injured list. Fantasy managers should have an alternative option in place for next week in the event that the dynamic 32-year-old outfielder is forced to miss some time.