Wallner started in right field and batted leadoff in Thursday's loss against the Cardinals. He went 0-for-4 with a walk.

EDGE Analysis

Wallner usage in the leadoff spot against right-handed starters in spring training carried over into the regular season. He had a chance to tie the game with a runner on in the top of the ninth inning but struck out. Wallner will likely sit against most left-handed pitchers -- he had a .275/.387/.566 slash line against righties last year over 217 plate appearances, but just a .184/.295/.316 line in 44 PAs against southpaws.

Wallner went 3-for-5 with two home runs and battled leadoff again in Friday's spring training split-squad win over the Rays. He has five home runs with a .970 OPS this spring.

EDGE Analysis

It looks like Wallner will be the leadoff hitter against right-handed pitching, as he's batted at the top of the lineup all spring. He'll likely sit against most left-handed pitchers. He could hit more than 30 home runs if he can improve against lefties and avoid prolonged slumps.

Wallner started at DH and hit leadoff in Thursday's spring training loss to Pittsburgh. He's batted leadoff in all three of his appearances this spring, going 1-for-7.

EDGE Analysis

It's not clear if he'll be used as a leadoff hitter during the regular season while filling a strong-side platoon role in right field, but the early-spring assignment is encouraging. Wallner is fully healthy after his last season ended prematurely in September due to an oblique strain.

Wallner is not expected to have any issues related to his season-ending September left oblique strain by the time spring training begins, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

It wasn't thought that this would be a long-term concern, but it's still good to hear his injury won't have more serious ramifications. After starting the 2024 season in Triple-A, Wallner found his stroke in the second half and hit .272 with a .914 OPS and 10 home runs over his final 55 games.

The Twins placed Wallner on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with a left oblique strain, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Wallner suffered the injury during a pinch-hitting appearance in Tuesday's loss to the Marlins, and it will cost him the remainder of the regular season. He would be eligible to return during the ALDS if replacing an injured player, although neither the Twins making it that far nor Wallner being healthy by then is guaranteed. Austin Martin has rejoined the active roster in Wallner's place.

Wallner was removed from Tuesday's game against the Marlins due to left oblique tightness, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Wallner was grabbing at his left side after striking out during his pinch hit appearance in the sixth inning. The Twins have now confirmed the issue to be in the 26-year-old's oblique, though the team will have to wait until Wednesday to determine the severity of his injury. If he needs to sit down for a game or two, Jose Miranda may be in line for more work as Minnesota's DH.

Wallner left Tuesday's game against Miami after striking out as a pinch hitter with an apparent injury to his left side, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Wallner struck out and grimaced and grabbed his left side as he walked back to the dugout. Trevor Larnach then replaced him in right field.

Wallner is absent from the lineup for Tuesday's game versus the Marlins.

EDGE Analysis

Lefty Ryan Weathers will toe the rubber for the Marlins, so the left-handed-hitting Wallner will begin the contest on the bench. Jose Miranda will be the Twins' designated hitter and Manuel Margot will play right field.

Wallner is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Guardians.

EDGE Analysis

Wallner will hit the bench along with fellow left-handed hitters Trevor Larnach and Edouard Julien while the Guardians send southpaw Matthew Boyd to the hill. Willi Castro and Manuel Margot will serve as the Twins' starters in left and right field, respectively, while Ryan Jeffers gets a day off from catching and serves as Minnesota's designated hitter.

Wallner went 2-for-5 with a homer, a double and three RBI in Tuesday's 10-5 win versus the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old slugger stretched the Minnesota lead to 5-0 in the third inning with a titanic 444-foot solo shot off Griffin Canning. Wallner later cracked a two-RBI double in the eighth inning to score the final Twins runs of the game. Since returning to the big leagues July 7, he has played in 50 games while hitting .290 (45-for-155) with 11 homers, 15 doubles, 29 RBI and 23 runs scored while going 3-for-3 in stolen bases.