Three former Minnesota Twins players are encountering significant struggles during the 2024 spring training season. Despite the team’s decent start this spring, concerns remain about the decision to largely abstain from significant moves during free agency. While the Twins have not performed poorly, they have not made a compelling case for refraining from more active engagement in the free-agent market.
The team faces challenges in replacing key pitchers Sonny Gray and Kenta Meada, especially considering Meada’s strong start with his new team. Although the Opening Day lineup appears mostly settled, recent roster cuts indicate a clear vision for the team’s position groups.
During spring training, players like Bailey Ober, Jorge Alcalá, and Brooks Lee have shown promise, with only one of them expected to make the 26-man roster. New acquisitions Carlos Santana and Manuel Margot have also integrated well, despite the limited opportunities for assessment.
However, the same cannot be said for several former Twins players who are struggling significantly this spring. Sonny Gray, now with the St. Louis Cardinals, experienced early setbacks in his Cardinals career. In just his second start of spring training, Gray was forced to exit the game due to tightness, later diagnosed as a hamstring strain.
Despite his limited time on the field, Gray performed well, allowing only three hits and no runs while striking out three batters. His injury, however, has raised concerns about his readiness for Opening Day. Gray has been gradually recovering and recently completed his first bullpen session since the injury, although his availability for the start of the season remains uncertain.
This injury is unfortunate for Gray, who enjoyed relatively good health during his time in Minnesota before leaving in the offseason for a $75 million deal with the Cardinals. The injury has cast a shadow over his promising start in St. Louis and is not the way anyone envisioned his tenure with the team to begin.
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