Matt Wallner’s Season Likely Over Due to Injury
The Minnesota Twins’ outfielder, Matt Wallner, has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to a left oblique strain, which he suffered during Wednesday’s game. This injury is likely to end his season, as stated by manager Rocco Baldelli. Wallner’s goal now is to ensure he enters the offseason in optimal health.
Up and Down Season for Wallner
Wallner’s season has been marked by inconsistency, with a batting average of .202 and a .776 OPS. Although his 110 OPS+ is 10% better than the league average hitter, it falls short of his career average 127 OPS+. He hit a career-high 22 home runs but struggled with driving in runs, with only 40 RBIs, mostly due to his low batting average with runners in scoring position.
Baldelli praised Wallner’s ability to battle through his swing issues, stating, “(He) had some really good periods of time where I think he was feeling really good, he was locked in, he was productive.” Wallner’s strikeout percentage decreased, while his walk percentage increased, but his batting average on balls in play dropped significantly from the previous season.
Resilience and Adaptation
Wallner’s season was also affected by a hamstring strain in April, which kept him out for a month and a half. Upon his return, he managed to stick with the major league team for the entire season, a notable achievement. Baldelli emphasized the importance of Wallner’s ability to find his rhythm without needing a break, saying, “But to be able to find that while not needing that break, I think, is important and I think that’s what he did in a noteworthy fashion this year.”
To fill Wallner’s spot on the roster, the Twins called up outfielder DaShawn Keirsey Jr. The team will also send Joe Ryan and Bailey Ober to the mound in their doubleheader on Saturday. For more information on the Twins’ season and Wallner’s injury, visit Here
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