Wallner didn't start in Wednesday's 6-1 win over the Athletics due to left-hander Jeffrey Springs working the bulk of innings in relief behind right-handed opener Justin Sterner, Phil Miller of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
The left-handed-hitting Wallner has technically sat out against right-handed starting pitchers both of the past two games, but on both occasions, the Athletics deployed right-hander openers in front of left-handed bulk relievers. Wallner still should be a fixture in the lineup when the Twins face traditional right-handed starters.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Matt Wallner: Getting rest Tuesday
Rotowire
Wallner is not in the Twins' lineup Tuesday against the Athletics.
Wallner has played in three games since returning from a hamstring injury Saturday, but he will get to rest Tuesday. He recorded a hit in each game, going 3-for-11 with a home run. With the 27-year-old on the bench, Willi Castro has the start in right field as Brooks Lee takes over for Castro at second base.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Matt Wallner: Lifts homer in return
Rotowire
Wallner went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Saturday's 5-4 extra-innings loss to the Mariners.
Wallner returned to action Saturday after he missed a month and a half due to a hamstring strain. He made an early impact in his first game back, as his lone hit was a second-inning homer to open the scoring. The outfielder was able to play the full game in right field, and he should reclaim a majority of the playing time there moving forward. On the year, he's batting .262 with an .883 OPS, two homers, five RBI, eight runs scored and no stolen bases across 71 plate appearances. Wallner's return is likely to lead to a reduction in playing time for Kody Clemens.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Matt Wallner: Officially activated off IL
Rotowire
The Twins reinstated Wallner (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list Saturday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.
Wallner is set to return to major-league action for the first time since mid-April after landing on the 10-day IL due to a hamstring strain. The 27-year-old outfielder was slashing .263/.373/.474 with five doubles, one home run and three RBI in 67 plate appearances prior to his injury and will start in right field and bat fifth against the Mariners on Saturday. DaShawn Keirsey was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul in a corresponding move.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Matt Wallner: Should return Saturday
Rotowire
Wallner (hamstring) is expected to be reinstated from the 10-day injured list Saturday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.
Wallner has been out since mid-April due to a hamstring strain but is just about ready to rejoin the Twins after going 8-for-25 with five homers during a six-game rehab assignment. The 27-year-old had a hot start to the campaign, posting a .263/.373/.474 slash line with five doubles, two triples and a homer in 18 games.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Matt Wallner: Continuing rehab to begin week
Rotowire
Wallner (hamstring) is slated to continue his rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul to begin the upcoming week rather than joining the Twins for the start of their 10-game road trip that begins Monday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.
The Twins aren't ruling out activating Wallner from the 10-day injured list at some point during the trip, but he'll likely need to play full games in the outfield on consecutive days at Triple-A St. Paul before he rejoins the big club. Wallner, who has been on the shelf since April 17 with a left hamstring strain, has thus far appeared in three games for St. Paul. He's made two starts in right field and one as a designated hitter while going a collective 5-for-12 with two home runs, a double and a walk.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Matt Wallner: Strong start to rehab assignment
Rotowire
Wallner (hamstring) is 5-for-9 with two home runs in two games for Triple-A St. Paul during a rehab assignment.
Wallner played in right field Thursday and was the DH on Friday. It's not clear when he'll be activated from the injured list, but the Twins will likely want him to play in the outfield on consecutive days before he returns. Wallner landed on the 10-day injured list April 17 due to a Grade 3 left hamstring strain.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Matt Wallner: Set to start rehab assignment
Rotowire
Wallner (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.
Wallner landed on the 10-day injured list April 17 due to a Grade 3 left hamstring strain. He progressed enough in his recovery to resume running in early May, and he's ready to take the next step in his rehab program by playing in games at Triple-A. Given how long he's been out, Wallner will likely need multiple games in the minors to get his timing back at the plate before the Twins activate him. Before he was shut down with the injury, Wallner slashed .263/.373/3474 with one home run and three RBI over 67 plate appearances.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Matt Wallner: Begins running
Rotowire
Wallner (hamstring) has started up a running program that includes turns, and he's also taking batting practice, MLB.com reports.
Wallner is making progress in his recovery from the hamstring strain he suffered nearly a month ago, but a timetable for him to begin a rehab assignment isn't clear. He was diagnosed with a Grade 3 strain, with the team initially giving him an estimated return of early June. Since he's only starting to run full speed and hasn't yet run the bases, that timetable may be a little optimistic, however.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Matt Wallner: Could miss much of May
Rotowire
Wallner (hamstring) has a moderate left hamstring strain which could sideline him much of May, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
Wallner left an April 15 game with a hamstring injury after running to first base. The injury was first thought to be mild, but a moderate strain likely means he'll be out a month or more.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Matt Wallner: Officially placed on IL
Rotowire
The Twins placed Wallner (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list Thursday.
A strained left hamstring forced Wallner to exit Tuesday's contest early, and he'll now be forced to spend at least 10 days on the injured list. The Twins haven't provided any details on the severity of his injury, so it's still unclear if he'll require more than a minimum-length stay. While Wallner is out, DaShawn Keirsey will likely receive the bulk of starts in right field, and Jonah Bride will fill the open roster spot after being acquired from Miami on Wednesday.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Matt Wallner: Going on IL with strained hamstring
Rotowire
Wallner will be placed on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
Wallner exited Tuesday's game against the Mets after tweaking the hamstring, and an MRI showed a strain, necessitating a trip to the IL. The severity of the strain isn't clear, so it's uncertain how long he might be shelved. DaShawn Keirsey started in right field in Wallner's place Wednesday and is likely due for an uptick in playing time in the immediate future.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Matt Wallner: Might be available off bench
Rotowire
Twins manager Rocco Baldelli indicated that Wallner (hamstring) could be available off the bench during Wednesday's game against the Mets, LaVelle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports.
Wallner was forced to depart Tuesday's game against the Mets due to left hamstring tightness and was set to undergo an MRI. The results of that imaging haven't been revealed, but Baldelli doesn't seem to believe Wallner's absence from the lineup will last long.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Matt Wallner: Not ready to start Wednesday
Rotowire
Wallner (hamstring) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mets.
Wallner's absence from the starting nine comes as little surprise after he was lifted early in Tuesday's 6-3 win due to left hamstring tightness. The Twins are expected to send Wallner in for an MRI on Wednesday, but the severity of his hamstring injury isn't yet known. DaShawn Keirsey will draw the start Wednesday in right field in place of Wallner, who can be viewed as day-to-day until the Twins provide further word on his situation.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Matt Wallner: Exits with hamstring injury
Rotowire
Wallner was removed from Tuesday's game against the Mets due to left hamstring tightness, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Wallner was able to leg out an infield single in the first inning of Tuesday's contest, but he tweaked his hamstring in the process. It's unclear if the 27-year-old outfielder will need to miss any time due to his injury, though he may miss a game or two to avoid playing through any lingering soreness.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Matt Wallner: Records second triple Monday
Rotowire
Wallner went 2-for-4 with a triple Monday against the Mets.
Wallner lined a Clay Holmes sweeper off the right-field wall in the fourth inning for a triple, his second three-base hit of the campaign already. The lefty-hitting outfielder is on the strong side of a platoon in right field, and Wallner is slashing .250/.364/.464 with one home run, five doubles, three RBI, and seven runs scored through his first 66 plate appearances (17 games).
Wallner went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's victory over the Royals. It was his first homer of the season.
It was just his fourth career home run against a left-handed pitcher, which bodes well for him getting more at-bats against southpaws. Wallner is hitting leadoff against right-handed starters and batting .289 overall with a .912 OPS.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Matt Wallner: Sitting versus lefty
Rotowire
Wallner is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Royals.
Wallner has hit in the leadoff spot in nine of the first 10 games to open the season, but he's getting the night off with left-hander Cole Ragans on the mound for Kansas City. Harrison Bader is getting the start in right field and batting eighth. Wallner has slashed .303/.410/.485 with four doubles, one triple, one RBI and five runs scored through 39 plate appearances to open the season.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Matt Wallner: Gets four hits in loss
Rotowire
Wallner went 4-for-5 with two runs scored in Sunday's 9-7 loss against the Astros.
After a slow start to the season, Wallner is 6-for-13 in his last three games and is now hitting .267 with an .804 OPS. He's hit in the leadoff spot in eight of nine games, moving to No. 3 against a left-handed starter.
... See More... See Less
Player Bio
HT/WT: 6-4, 220 lbs
Birthplace: Forrest Lake, MN
Age: 27
School: Southern Miss
Experience: 3
Bats/Throws: L, R
Help us stay on the ball.
Step up to the plate and take this short, confidential survey. It'll help make CBSSports.com a better experience for users everywhere. Want to give it a shot?
6:05
1:23
1:07
1:03
9:02
0:56
8:57
8:08
10:34
8:20
8:47
8:52
9:08
5:52
5:35
6:42
5:59
6:17
5:46
