Archer allowed two runs on five hits while striking out six in four innings in a 5-3 loss Thursday in Baltimore. He did not factor into the decision.

EDGE Analysis

Both runs against Archer came on solo home runs, one by Ryan Mountcastle in the second and the other by Cedric Mullins in the third. After only making two appearances in Spring Training, he has not made it out of the fifth inning or reached 80 pitches through five starts to begin the season. The righty has managed to put up decent numbers with a 3.26 ERA and 1.29 WHIP but has also allowed five home runs in his 19.1 innings. He'll likely make his next start early next week against Houston.

Archer didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 9-1 win over the Rays, allowing one run on two hits and three walks over four innings. He struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

It's tough to evaluate Archer's fantasy value right now. On the one hand, his 2.93 ERA over 15.1 innings is useful. On the other, his 5.53 FIP is alarming, and he has yet to complete five innings in any of his starts, preventing him from getting any wins even when he does receive plenty of run support. Archer will remain in the Twins rotation for now, but if his luck starts to run out, he could lose out once Sonny Gray (hamstring) gets healthy.

Archer allowed two runs on three hits and three walks over three innings in Sunday's win over the White Sox. He struck out two and did not factor in the decision. His short stint was by design, as the Twins planned to limit him to 60 pitches to keep him healthy, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

It was Archer's shortest outing of the 2022 season after going at least four innings in each of his first two appearances. Tim Anderson took him deep on the very first pitch of the game. He later allowed an RBI single to Andrew Vaughn in the third. After missing all of 2020 due to injury and making just six appearances last season, the Twins will work to manage his workload. The 33-year-old righty owns a 3.18 ERA with a 10:5 K:BB this season. He's expected to take the mound against his former team in Tampa Bay next week.

Archer struck out five in 4.1 innings, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks in a 4-3 loss Tuesday in Kansas City. He did not factor into the decision.

EDGE Analysis

Archer pitched well through the first four innings, allowing just a single, a walk and Salvador Perez's solo home run. After retiring the first batter of the fifth, the two-time All-Star allowed the next four batters to reach safely, including walking in a run, and was removed. Once thought of as one of the most promising young pitchers in the game, the 33-year-old has not had an ERA under 4.00 in a season since 2015. He has a 2.16 ERA through his first two starts but has yet to get out of the fifth inning. He is scheduled to make his next start Sunday against the White Sox.

Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said Thursday that he expects Archer to start the team's fifth game of the season April 12 against the Dodgers in Minnesota, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Archer got off to a delayed start to spring training after he didn't sign with the Twins until Monday, but he was apparently able to build up his pitch count to some degree before reporting to Minnesota's big-league camp this week. He's slated to make what will be his lone Grapefruit League start Friday versus Atlanta, and the Twins will likely have him get further stretched out with another simulated game in the middle of next week before his first turn in the rotation comes up. Archer might still face a workload restriction in his regular-season debut, but it's not likely to be a significant one.

Archer (hip) signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Twins on Monday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Archer is guaranteed $3.5 million over the next year, though Passan states that he could earn up to $9.5 million in performance bonuses. He also has a $10 million mutual option in pay for 2023. The 33-year-old right-hander appeared in only six games during the 2021 campaign with Tampa Bay while recovering from thoracic outlet surgery and then suffering a completely different forearm injury before ultimately being shut down for the year due to a hip injury. In his limited action, he surrendered 10 runs while fanning 21 over 19.1 innings. Archer figures to slot in near the back of Minnesota's rotation and could slot into the fifth rotation slot, per Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com.

Tampa Bay transferred Archer (hip) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day injured list Monday, radio broadcaster Steve Carney reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Rays had been cryptic about the recurrence of inflammation in Archer's left hip, but his move to the 60-day IL officially rules him out for 2021. Tampa Bay will use the open 40-man roster spot on top pitching prospect Shane Baz, who was recalled from Triple-A Durham ahead of his big-league debut Monday against the Blue Jays at Tropicana Field. Archer is set to become a free agent this winter, and after having another season torpedoed by injuries, he'll likely be forced to settle for a one-year, prove-it deal on the open market.

Archer (hip) was examined by team physician Dr. Koco Eaton on Tuesday and received confirmation that inflammation is the source of his discomfort, but the right-hander remains without a timeline for return, the team's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Archer's frustrating campaign therefore continues, and he's naturally running out of time to get back before the end of the regular season. The veteran is slated to meet with his representatives and seek other medical opinions as well, so whether Archer has a chance to pitch at any point during the Rays' remaining 2021 season and postseason should become more evident in coming days.

The Rays placed Archer (hip) on the 10-day injured list Sunday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's unclear exactly what type of hip injury Archer is dealing with, but it was substantial enough to shorten his Saturday start to four innings and now keep him on the shelf for at least 10 days. A diagnosis of the injury, currently labeled "discomfort," should become available within the next couple days, as should a timeframe for his expected return.

Archer was removed from Saturday's game against the Tigers after the fourth inning due to left hip discomfort, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Archer was relatively effective in Saturday's start and allowed one run on two hits and a walk while striking out two in four innings prior to his removal. The severity of the issue isn't yet clear, but the right-hander tentatively lines up to make his next start at home against the Tigers on Thursday if he's healthy enough to pitch.