- Day-To-DayCory Lewis (SP) — Twins head trainer Nick Paparesta said Thursday that Lewis (shoulder) is still a couple weeks away from throwing off a mound, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.05/08
- Day-To-DayJulian Merryweather (RP) — Merryweather (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with the Twins' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate Tuesday, Theodore Tollefson of ZoneCoverage.com reports.05/08
- Day-To-DayMatt Canterino (SP) — Canterino (shoulder) will be with the Twins in big-league spring training but isn't expected to pitch during camp as he continues to recover from shoulder surgery, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.05/08
- Day-To-DayWalker Jenkins (CF) — Jenkins was diagnosed Monday with a Grade 2 AC joint sprain in his left shoulder and will be re-evaluated in 10 days, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.05/08
- 15-Day-ILTaj Bradley (SP) — Bradley (4-1) earned the win Tuesday against the Nationals, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out eight over six innings.05/09
- 15-Day-ILCody Laweryson (RP) — The Twins placed Laweryson (forearm) on the 15-day injured list Saturday, retroactive to Thursday.05/08
- 15-Day-ILGarrett Acton (RP) — The Twins placed Acton on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with a right shoulder strain, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.05/08
- 15-Day-ILCole Sands (RP) — Sands (shoulder) is beginning a rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday, Brandon Warne of Access Twins reports.05/08
- 15-Day-ILMick Abel (SP) — Abel (elbow) was given a cortisone injection after feeling soreness in his right triceps following a simulated game Saturday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.05/08
- 60-Day-ILDavid Festa (SP) — The Twins transferred Festa (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Saturday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.05/08
- 60-Day-ILPablo Lopez (SP) — The Twins placed Lopez (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Thursday.05/08
- Day-To-DayCarlos Hernandez (RP) — Hernandez (shoulder) began his rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha on Friday.05/08
- 10-Day-ILGabriel Arias (SS) — no05/10
- 15-Day-ILAndrew Walters (RP) — Walters (lat) was returned from his rehab assignment due to a viral illness, MLB.com reports.05/09
- 15-Day-ILShawn Armstrong (RP) — Armstrong (groin) threw a bullpen session Friday, MLB.com reports.05/09
That injury list is the story of Minnesota's season. Pablo Lopez, Festa, Bradley, Mick Abel — that's basically a rotation on the shelf, which is why a guy like Morris is being asked to match Williams on a Sunday afternoon. Walker Jenkins out with the AC sprain doesn't help the lineup either. Cleveland is mostly healthy by comparison, with Gabriel Arias the lone everyday-ish name on the IL.
The market sees this exactly how the eye test does. Cleveland is a -153 home favorite at Pinnacle, the public is piling on the Guardians at -128 on DraftKings (83% of spread bets, 70% of moneyline handle), and there's no positive EV anywhere on the board. The total is the only number with any tension — Pinnacle has it at 7.5, DK posted 8, and bets are basically split.
For Twins fans the ask is simple: Buxton does Buxton things one more time, Morris keeps the ball in the yard for 5, and the bullpen holds. That is not a small ask in Cleveland against a starter who isn't walking anyone. But the Twins already pulled one rabbit out of a hat in this series. First pitch is 12:40 PM.