Winder appears to be out of the running for a spot in the Twins' Opening Day rotation after Minnesota signed Chris Archer to a one-year deal Monday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Due to his late signing, Archer could require some ramp-up time and may not be included in the Opening Day rotation, but Minnesota's schedule will allow it to get by with four starters until April 13, if necessary. Winder's MLB debut thus doesn't appear to be imminent, but the 25-year-old righty looks like he'll rank near the top of the list for a promotion if an opening in the rotation arises at any point in 2022. Considering that Winder missed the final two months of the 2021 season due to shoulder fatigue, some extra tune-up time at Triple-A St. Paul to begin the year is probably more ideal than being thrown into the fire in the big-league rotation. Winder made only four starts for the affiliate before being shut down last season, providing a 4.67 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 15:3 K:BB in 17.1 innings over that stretch.

Winder could win a spot in the Minnesota rotation to begin the season, manager Rocco Baldelli told the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Winder gave up two hits and a walk but had three strikeouts in two innings in his firs spring outing Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Winder didn't pitch in the minors last year after July 21 because of a right shoulder impingement, but he looks fully healthy as spring training begins. It's possible, even likely, that the Twins sign a veteran to fill out their starting rotation, but until then the fifth starter role is open. Winder looks like the leading candidate with Lewis Thorpe and Griffin Jax moving to the bullpen. However, the competition for the fifth starter role may not be settled until late in spring training and could be in flux early in the season if the Twins don't sign a veteran. He dominated at Double-A (1.98 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 31.3 K%, 4.8 BB%), but was less dominant in four starts at Triple-A (4.67 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 22.4 K%, 4.8 BB%).

Winder (shoulder) is listed as Minnesota's starter for Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against Boston.

EDGE Analysis

Winder is one of the Twins' top pitching prospects and was shut down in August due to shoulder fatigue, and he's now with the team for big-league camp. He made his way to Triple-A St. Paul for four starts in 2021, but he spent most of the campaign at Double-A Wichita, where he posted a 1.98 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 65:10 K:BB across 54.2 innings. The 25-year-old was added to the 40-man roster in November could made his major-league debut this season.

Winder (shoulder) was added to the Twins' 40-man roster Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Despite finishing the season shut down due to shoulder fatigue, Winder is an intriguing prospect to watch in 2022. He could make his big-league debut at some point next season after dominating Double-A (1.98 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 65:10 K:BB in 54.2 IP) and making four starts at Triple-A.

Winder was shut down for two or three weeks due to shoulder fatigue Friday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Twins don't seem to be overly concerned about the issue, framing the problem as simply workload management after the young righty didn't throw a single competitive inning last season due to the canceled minor-league schedule. Winder cruised to a 1.98 ERA and 31.3 percent strikeout rate in 10 starts for Double-A Wichita to start this season but owns a much more pedestrian 4.67 ERA and 22.4 percent strikeout rate in four starts for Triple-A St. Paul.

The Twins promoted Winder from Double-A Wichita to Triple-A St. Paul on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Winder, a 2018 seventh-round pick, earned the call to the minors' highest level after compiling a 1.98 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 65:10 K:BB in 54.2 innings. The right-hander is an older prospect -- he'll turn 25 in October -- so service-time considerations may not come into play if the Twins feel he's ready to contribute to the big-league rotation later in 2021. Before a promotion to Minnesota is entertained, Winder will first need to continue to perform at a high level in his initial outings with St. Paul.