Twins' Nick Gordon: In line for starts at second base
Rotowire
Gordon is "the most logical, straightforward path to replacing" the injured Jorge Polanco (knee) at second base, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.
Using Gordon as the regular second baseman -- at least against righties -- would take away from his versatility which the Twins value, but he's the most sensible fill-in option while Polanco recuperates. Kyle Farmer and Donovan Solano also figure to see time at the keystone, especially versus lefties. It's unclear how long Polanco might be sidelined as he deals with some lingering soreness following knee surgery, but it shouldn't be too lengthy of an absence.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Nick Gordon: Back in action Thursday
Rotowire
Gordon (ankle) is starting at second base and batting fifth for the Twins in Thursday's Grapefruit League game versus the Rays.
Gordon wound up being sidelined a little shy of two weeks with a high ankle sprain, which is a pretty swift recovery. Barring any setbacks, he'll be ready to roll on Opening Day and could receive close to everyday playing time while bouncing around to different positions.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Nick Gordon: Expects to return Thursday
Rotowire
Gordon (ankle) expects to start at second base during the Twins' Grapefruit League game versus the Rays on Thursday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.
Gordon's recovery from a high-ankle sprain seems to be moving along a little more quickly than expected, putting him on track to be ready for Opening Day as long as he can avoid setbacks. The 27-year-old should receive close to everyday playing time in 2023 as he bounces around the diamond.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Nick Gordon: Fields grounders, hits Monday
Rotowire
Gordon (ankle) took part in fielding drills and took batting practice Monday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.
Gordon didn't appear to be doing much lateral movement in the field while he works his way back from a left high-ankle sprain, but his activity Monday represents a nice step forward in his recovery nonetheless. He's also been able to do some hitting and running without issues. It's not clear when Gordon might be ready to re-enter the Grapefruit League lineup, but he wouldn't appear to be too far off.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Nick Gordon: Hitting and running without issues
Rotowire
Gordon (ankle) has begun his hitting and throwing progressions without issues, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.
Gordon suffered a mild-to-moderate left high ankle sprain in early March, placing his Opening Day availability in some doubt. His exact timeline is not yet clear, but he's taking steps in the right direction.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Nick Gordon: Suffers high ankle sprain
Rotowire
Gordon was diagnosed Friday with a mild-to-moderate left high ankle sprain, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.
Gordon suffered the injury on a play in the infield during Friday afternoon's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox. X-rays turned up negative for any fractures, but he was in a walking boot and using crutches as he left the Twins' clubhouse in Florida. The 27-year-old will be held out at least through the weekend, per manager Rocco Baldelli, and this could very well turn into a multi-week absence from exhibition action.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Nick Gordon: Exits early with injury
Rotowire
Gordon exited Friday's spring training game against Boston after awkwardly falling down during a throw to first base, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.
Gordon had to be helped off the field by an athletic trainer and appeared to be in a bit of pain. There's no word yet on the specifics or severity of his injury.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Nick Gordon: To work out all over diamond
Rotowire
Gordon will get work at every position but catcher and pitcher this spring, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.
That includes first base, a position Gordon has yet to play at the professional level. That's notable, because the Twins are counting on the injury-prone Alex Kirilloff at that spot. The 27-year-old Gordon took a nice step forward in 2022, slashing .272/.316/.427 with nine home runs and six stolen bases over 136 games. Gordon also put up solid Statcast numbers, boasting an average exit velocity in the 80th percentile. He might not have a set starting job, but Gordon could be a near-everyday player in a super-utility role.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Nick Gordon: Not in Friday's lineup
Rotowire
Gordon isn't starting Friday against the Tigers.
Gordon will get a breather after he went 2-for-16 with a double, three RBI and six strikeouts over the last four games. Jermaine Palacios is taking over at the keystone and batting eighth.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Nick Gordon: Sleeper hitters for Week 26 (Sept. 26-Oct. 5)
Rotowire
Gordon earns high marks for quality of contact, according to Statcast, and is hitting .297 with an .840 OPS since the All-Star break. You can start him at second base, shortstop or outfield in Fantasy, making him a handy pickup for the final scoring period in which he won't be facing a single ace-caliber pitcher over a nine-game span.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Nick Gordon: Day off Saturday
Rotowire
Gordon isn't in the lineup Saturday against the Angels.
Gordon started the last five games and went 6-for-18 with a home run, two doubles, three runs, three RBI and four strikeouts. Jake Cave will start in left field while Jermaine Palacios starts at second base Saturday.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Nick Gordon: Doubles twice in three-hit effort
Rotowire
Gordon went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles in Tuesday's 5-4 loss to the Royals.
Four of Gordon's last six hits have gone for extra bases (two home runs, two doubles). The 26-year-old is hitting .303 (20-for-66) in September with three homers, five doubles, 11 RBI and five runs scored, though he's gone quiet on the basepaths after logging three steals in August. For the season, he's slashing .283/.329/.453 with nine homers, 43 RBI, 40 runs scored, 26 doubles and six steals in 126 contests.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Nick Gordon: Not in Sunday's lineup
Rotowire
Gordon is not in Sunday's lineup against the Guardians.
Gordon, who homered in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader, is hitting .259 with two home runs, nine RBI and four runs scored in 16 games this month. Jake Cave, Gilberto Celestino and Matt Wallner will start in the outfield from left to right.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Nick Gordon: Homers in nightcap
Rotowire
Gordon went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run, a walk and a sacrifice fly in a 7-6 extra-innings loss to the Guardians in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader.
Gordon played all 24 innings of baseball Saturday at second base, going 1-for-3 in the matinee before a more adventurous nightcap. His two-run homer in the eighth inning tied the game at 5-5, and he added a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the 13th, though the Twins weren't able to protect that lead. The 26-year-old has hit safely in 11 of his last 13 games, going 14-for-48 (.292) in that span. He's up to a .276/.321/.435 slash line with eight homers, 41 RBI, 39 runs scored, six stolen bases, 24 doubles and four triples through 123 contests overall.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Nick Gordon: Starting Saturday's matinee
Rotowire
Gordon (toe) is starting the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Guardians, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Gordon exited Friday's loss to the Guardians due to a bruised left big toe, but he underwent X-rays that came back negative. He'll start at second base and bat cleanup during Saturday's matinee.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Nick Gordon: Leaves Friday's game
Rotowire
Gordon was removed from Friday's loss to the Guardians with a bruised left big toe, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.
Gordon went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts and exited the contest after fouling a pitch off his toe. The 26-year-old already had X-rays come back negative and should be considered day-to-day.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Nick Gordon: Sleeper hitters for Week 23 (Sept. 5-11)
Rotowire
The former first-round pick is finally getting a chance to play close to every day and flashing some impressive skills that aren't fully reflected in the numbers, namely a 93rd percentile xSLG. It's reason to hope for even more, especially in a week with only right-handers on the schedule. Gordon, a left-handed hitter, has an OPS nearly 150 points higher against righties than lefties.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Nick Gordon: Plates three in loss
Rotowire
Gordon went 1-for-4 with a double and three RBI in Friday's 4-3 loss to the White Sox.
Gordon opened the scoring with a two-run double in the first inning and added an RBI groundout in the eighth. He accounted for all of the Twins' run production Friday, and he's racked up an impressive 11 RBI over his last three contests. The versatile 26-year-old is up to a .279/.322/.440 slash line with six home runs, 35 RBI, 35 runs scored, six stolen bases and 22 doubles through 323 plate appearances. Gordon figures to continue filling in at second base while Jorge Polanco (kneecap) is out.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Nick Gordon: Possible waiver wire pickups
Rotowire
Gordon is a former fifth overall pick and top prospect who fell out of favor before he ever reached the big leagues, but he suddenly finds himself playing close to every day for the Twins, bouncing between the outfield, second base and even shortstop occasionally. His eligibility at those three spots is only part of his appeal. He has a reputation for being more of a contact-and-speed type, but he impacts the ball more like a power hitter, boasting an average exit velocity of more than 91 mph for the second straight year. His xSLG (.498) is 93rd percentile, for crying out loud. I'm skeptical he can actually deliver on it, but there are clearly some tools here that shouldn't go unnoticed in Rotisserie leagues.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Nick Gordon: Drives in six runs
Rotowire
Gordon went 2-for-4 with a home run, a double and six RBI in Tuesday's 10-5 victory over the Red Sox.
Gordon had a huge day at the dish Tuesday as he set a career high with six RBI. Four of those runs came on a huge grand slam off Ryan Brasier in the bottom of the fifth to put the Twins up 7-4. The home run was Gordon's sixth of the season, and the big day raised his slash line to .276/.321/.431 over 315 plate appearances this season.
