Odorizzi (back) looked good after throwing Monday and is expected to start sometime during the Twins' weekend series in Kansas City, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Odorizzi has been dealing with upper-back stiffness since mid-July, causing him to miss the early part of the season. He won't miss much more time, though it's not yet clear what kind of workload he'll be ready to handle in his first start of the year.

Odorizzi (back) threw a bullpen session Thursday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Odorizzi came out of the session pain-free and is tentatively scheduled to face live hitters early next week. A more concrete return date for the right-hander should hopefully come into focus following his live BP session next week.

The Twins don't have any specific plans for when Odorizzi (back) will return to the rotation, manager Rocco Baldelli told MLB.com. "He's been stretching things out again, playing catch, still feels good," Baldelli said.

EDGE Analysis

Odorizzi is set to throw a bullpen session in the next day or two, but the Twins didn't have specific details before Wednesday's game. While Baldelli says Odorizzi is improving, it doesn't sound like he'll return to face the Indians in the team's next four-game series, although the Twins haven't announced their rotation beyond Thursday. Odorizzi's return to the rotation may not be for another week or more.

Odorizzi (back) is scheduled to pitch against live hitters early this week, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 30-year-old opened the season on the 10-day injured list after experiencing back stiffness last weekend, and he's eligible to return from the shelf Thursday. If all goes well Odorizzi could take the mound during the four-game set against Cleveland next weekend.

Odorizzi (back) will begin the season on the 10-day injured list, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 30-year-old was lifted from his scheduled start in Sunday's intrasquad game due to mild back soreness, and he'll end up missing at least the first turn through the rotation. Odorizzi isn't expected to require a significant stay on the injured list and could join the rotation during the latter half of next week. The Twins have a scheduled off day Monday, so the team wouldn't require an additional starter if he can return next week.

Odorizzi (back) is not listed as one of the Twins' projected starters for their first series of the season against the White Sox, which begins Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Odorizzi was scratched from his scheduled intrasquad start Sunday due to what was called mild upper-back stiffness. There hasn't been an indication that the issue is worse than originally anticipated, but he at the very least won't take the mound until Tuesday against the Cardinals. The Twins get an off day Monday, so they can go with just four starters for their first time through the rotation if necessary.

Odorizzi was held out of Sunday's intrasquad game due to mild upper back stiffness, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Odorizzi was able to play long toss Sunday, but the team will push him back at least one day while he deals with a minor back issue. Manager Rocco Baldelli didn't sound too concerned about the issue, but with Opening Day scheduled for Friday, it's unclear whether the right-hander will face any limitations to begin the year.

Odorizzi is no longer starting Sunday's intrasquad game as previously scheduled.

EDGE Analysis

The team made no announcement regarding the change, so it's unclear if Odorizzi is dealing with some sort of injury or if his throwing schedule has changed. The 30-year-old was already built up to 79 pitches early last week and shouldn't face any limitations early in the season, assuming Sunday's news doesn't impact his availability.

Odorizzi did not give up a run during a 79-pitch start in Tuesday's scrimmage, giving up five hits with five strikeouts, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Odorizzi and Minnesota's starting pitchers drew rave reviews for their conditioning during the shut down of baseball, and he appears ready to go for Opening Day of the 60-game season. Odorizzi is coming off the best season of his career with 15 wins, a 3.51 ERA and career-best 27.1 percent strikeout rate.

Odorizzi only threw two innings during Grapefruit League play, but he honed his offspeed pitches and built up to 52 pitches on the backfields against minor-league hitters prior to the shutdown, LaVelle E. Neal of the Star Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Odorizzi, who is coming off the best season of his career, likes to work on his pitches during spring training in a simulated game environment, where he is less focused on trying to get out of an inning. The Twins supported him in this approach, although he would have gotten into more Grapefruit League games had spring training continued. He was unwilling to shed any light on what exactly he was working on, although he said he really likes the shape of his offspeed pitches and values seeing how hitters react to those pitches in that informal environment -- few of the hitters were able to make contact.