Analysis: The 24-year-old infielder developed back trouble toward the end of camp -- the second straight spring in which that's happened, as a herniated disc delayed his 2024 debut until June -- but this year's issue appears far less serious. Lee may need a brief rehab assignment before rejoining the Twins, but he appears to be getting close to activation. With Royce Lewis (hamstring) further behind in his recovery and Jose Miranda batting .158 (3-for-19) with zero extra-base hits so far, the door figures to be open for Lee to take over as Minnesota's starting third baseman as soon as he's cleared to return.

Analysis: Jeffers will take a day off after going 0-for-3 with two strikeouts during a loss in Friday's series opener. His absence will allow Christian Vazquez to start behind the dish while batting ninth.

Analysis: It's the first stolen base of the year for Buxton, who hasn't swiped more than nine bags in any of his previous five injury-hampered seasons. The 31-year-old outfielder appears to be healthy to start the campaign -- he's gone 6-for-25 with a home run, five runs scored and three RBI through his first 26 plate appearances.

Analysis: Ryan started the day on a high note, striking out the side in the first inning. However, he'd give up back-to-back home runs to Christian Walker and Jeremy Pena to start the second before Houston added two more runs in the fourth. The 28-year-old Ryan has allowed five earned runs on 10 hits while striking out 11 through his first 10 innings this season. He'll look to get in the win column in his next outing, currently scheduled for next week in Kansas City.

Analysis: Miranda will take a seat for the second day in a row after getting on base at a .167 clip over 18 plate appearances through his first five starts of the season. The Twins haven't indicated that Miranda is dealing with an injury, so his consecutive benchings seem to be performance-related. The 26-year-old doesn't bring much value defensively at third base, so if he's unable to pick up the pace at the plate anytime soon, Miranda could lose hold of a regular spot in the lineup. Edouard Julien will pick up another start at the keystone Thursday while super-utility man Willi Castro shifts over to third base.

Analysis: In what was a familiar trend last season, Vazquez and Ryan Jeffers have alternated turns behind the plate through Minnesota's first seven games of 2025. While Vazquez should be in line for more work than most No. 2 backstops around the league, he's still unlikely to see a high enough volume of plate appearances to warrant intrigue in fantasy outside of AL-only leagues or deeper mixed leagues that start two catchers.

Analysis: Correa had been hitting the ball hard his first four games but came up empty before Tuesday. He looks back on track but more importantly is healthy after playing just 86 games last season due to plantar fasciitis in his right foot.

Analysis: The center fielder came into the afternoon with zero extra-bases hits through his first five games, but Buxton broke out with a first-inning solo shot off Sean Burke. Buxton also doubled his hit and run totals on the season with Wednesday's performance, and he's up to three RBI.

Analysis: The game was delayed over three hours by rain, but Lopez didn't lose his focus while waiting it out. The right-hander tossed 67 of 98 pitches for strikes, and he took a shutout into the seventh inning before Brooks Baldwin got hold of a changeup that stayed up in the zone and drove it over the fence in right-center field for a solo shot. Lopez will take a 2.25 ERA and 8:1 K:BB through 12 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come on the road early next week in Kansas City.

Analysis: Dobnak is no longer on the 40-man roster, but he'll remain in the organization after passing through waivers unclaimed. It's uncertain whether the Twins intend to use him in the rotation or in long relief with St. Paul.

Analysis: It's a routine day off for Jeffers, who has now been in the lineup for four of the first six contests of the season. The Twins will roll with Christian Vazquez at catcher and in the ninth spot in the batting order for Wednesday's game.

Analysis: Miranda started each of the first five games at third base for the Twins, but he will begin the second game of the series against the White Sox on the bench. Willi Castro is at the hot corner and Edouard Julien will occupy second base for Minnesota.

Analysis: It's the first start of the season for Julien, who has been limited in the early going due to an illness. He did receive three plate appearances off the bench in Monday's loss to the White Sox, going hitless.

Analysis: Julien had appeared in only one game as a defensive replacement before Monday due to an illness. He played second base and then later moved to shortstop in a blowout loss - the first time he's appeared at shortstop in his career. Julien looked set to get playing time against right-handed pitching, but hasn't had a start this season although the illness may have been a factor.

Analysis: Castro broke the White Sox's no-hitter bid when he singled off Mike Vasil in the seventh inning. Castro has logged a hit in each of the first four games of the 2025 season and has gone 5-for-14 with three doubles, one home run and three RBI.

Analysis: Jeffers took a break from catching duties Monday to serve as the designated hitter, and he was responsible for one of the Twins' two hits Monday. The 27-year-old is looking to improve on a 2024 campaign in which he logged career highs in home runs (21) and RBI (64). Jeffers will likely return behind home plate for Tuesday's contest.

Analysis: Paddack's got off to a rough start Monday when he gave up a three-run home run to Andrew Vaughn in the first inning. Paddack proceeded to allow long shots to Andrew Benintendi and Michael Taylor and failed to get out of the fourth frame while tossing 89 pitches (54 strikes). Paddack earned a spot in the Twins' rotation after posting a 4.58 ERA and 21:4 K:BB across 17.2 spring innings, but Monday certainly wasn't an ideal beginning to the 2025 campaign for the 29-year-old right-hander. He'll look to bounce back in his next start, which is tentatively slated for this weekend at home against the Astros.

Analysis: The Twins faced all right-handers in the series, but the left-handed hitting Julien's only action came in the late innings of Sunday's game when he played a couple innings on defense. It's not clear how many starts he would have made had he been 100 percent, but the illness did play a part in his absence. Julien is out of the lineup again Monday against White Sox left-hander Martin Perez. It's possible he'll start Tuesday, when the Twins are scheduled to face righty Shane Smith.

Analysis: Ober said that he was "pretty much bedridden" Friday and got an IV Saturday due to the illness. He admitted that he "got a little tired" after the first inning Sunday and Twins manager Rocco Baldelli noted of Ober's illness that "clearly, I think it had some effect." Ober wound up getting charged with eight runs over just 2.2 innings against the Cardinals. The righty not feeling 100 percent helps explain why he fared so poorly Sunday, although it should be noted that Ober averaged just 90.3 mph with his fastball Sunday after he averaged only 89.9 mph with the heater during spring training. That's after his fastball averaged 91.7 mph in 2024. Ober will get an extra day of rest before his next scheduled outing Saturday against the Astros.

Analysis: With the Twins kicking off their three-game series in Chicago with a day game, Jeffers will get a break from catching duties after he was behind the plate for eight innings in Sunday's 9-2 loss to the Cardinals. However, the Twins will keep Jeffers' bat in the lineup by using him at DH, while the lefty-hitting Matt Wallner takes a seat against White Sox lefty Martin Perez.