Twins prospect Walker Jenkins could miss start of spring season with ankle sprain

FORT MYERS, Fla.

He should be ready for Opening Day, but Minnesota Twins prospect Walker Jenkins could miss the start of the minor-league spring schedule after suffering a mild left ankle sprain.

While his teammates were already taking live batting practice, the clubs top prospect watched the drills in street clothes on Friday.

Jenkins said hes limited to only working out (no baseball activities) as he recovers from a sprain he suffered while jumping for a ball during outfield drills following his arrival in minor-league camp on Sunday.

Advertisement The Twins minor-league exhibition schedule begins on March 12.

The club said the injury could put Jenkins one to two weeks behind schedule.

Though Jenkins may not be ready to open the spring slate, he isnt too far behind, general manager Jeremy Zoll said.

Hes just working his way back, but we dont think its going to impact him in terms of being ready for the season, Zoll said.

Were getting close.

...

I dont know if itll literally be for the first minor-league game, but hell be in a good spot, as games are getting close, to get built up.

Jenkins is the second Twins outfield prospect to be sidelined this spring after Emmanuel Rodriguez sustained the same type of injury last month in big-league camp.

Zoll described the left-ankle injury suffered by Rodriguez, a Grade 2 sprain, as worse than Jenkins.

Twins athletic trainer Nick Paparesta said on Saturday morning that Rodriguez is starting to run again after injuring his ankle in mid-February.

The fifth overall pick of the 2023 MLB Draft, Jenkins suffered a hamstring injury in the 2024 season opener at Low-A Fort Myers and didnt play again until May 20.

He batted .282/.394/.439 with 22 doubles and six home runs in 368 plate appearances across four minor-league levels last season.

MLB Pipeline currently rates Jenkins as the No.

3 prospect in baseball.

The Athletic s Keith Law ranked him as the No.

4 overall prospec t earlier this year.

GO DEEPER Twins top 40 prospects for 2025, led by Walker Jenkins and Emmanuel Rodriguez (Photo: Jonah Hinebaugh / Naples Daily News / USA Today Network).

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