Brooks Lee Explains Latest Back Injury and Return Timeline

With just days until the Minnesota Twins regular season kicks off in St. Louis, the starting rotation is set and so is most of the Opening Day roster. Unfortunately, Brooks Lee will not be among those heading to St. Louis on Thursday, after back spasms got him scratched from the Spring Training roster last week.

Back problems aren’t anything new for Brooks Lee. Last season, they cost him two months of the regular season. He didn’t make his 2024 baseball debut until May 20, and that came with the Complex League squad in Fort Myers.

Brooks Lee give his own injury update

But Lee told Dan Hayes (The Athletic) Sunday that the back issues holding him back this year are different than last year, which he describes as being much worse than what he is dealing with now. He describes it as being higher up on his back, and in his muscle, not disk.

“I feel way better than last time. Hopefully it shouldn’t take too long…It’s all muscular. I’ve obviously had the disc problems. I don’t think it has any connection to that. It’s a normal muscle spasm and a lot higher than it was last year and the times before. I kind of knew it was different, but it’s still the back.

It’s just making sure my body is aligned correctly for at least (Sunday and Monday). I’ll probably continue to do more aerobic stuff like walking. Hopefully, in five or six days I start testing for rotation and start doing a swing buildup. Last time it was three months, which is way too long. Hopefully, this is pretty short.”

Brooks Lee – The Athletic

It’s unfortunate that not all of the expected talent will join Minnesota on Opening Day. Royce Lewis, who pulled his hamstring last week, won’t be in the lineup Thursday, either. Last season, the Twins could have used Lee, when both Royce Lewis and Carlos Correa were hurt, but he was unavailable.

Related: Two New Guys Make MN Twins Opening Day Roster

This year, Lee was in position to make the Opening Day roster and play significant time at second base, after Lewis went on the IL. The 24-year-old has looked solid this spring, too batted .238/.273/.381 across 14 Grapefruit League games.

How much time Lee misses will obviously determine his path back. He will probably need a level of conditioning before getting back into game shape, as well. Minnesota has Lee working on a treadmill right now, and an absence of weeks, not months, could present him as an option for the Twins by mid-April.

Edouard Julien time again for the Minnesota Twins

As a rookie, Edouard Julien put up spectacular numbers across 109 games. His .263/.381/.459 slash line was exceptional, and he earned down-ballot consideration for rookie of the year honors. Last season, however, Julien was demoted to Triple-A, and he finished with just a .199/.292/.323 line.

Minnesota now needs a return of the rookie version of Julien, and for the Canadian to forget his sophomore season. This spring so far, he owns a .269/.345/.404 line in 17 games.

Edouard Julien hits his second homer of the game! 💪 pic.twitter.com/zaje5GRgRi

— MLB (@MLB) April 10, 2024

Things looked promising when Julien came out of the gates hot last season, as he had seven home runs by the end of April. Maybe he wasn’t attempting to be a power hitter, but something went awry with the approach. His strikeout numbers jumped (33.9 K% in 2024, 31.4 K% in 2023) while his walk rate plummeted (11.0 BB% in 2024, 15.7 BB% in 2023).

With opportunity at both second and first base early this season, the Twins would love to see Julien be a contributor right out of the gate. If he can be consistent, Willi Castro can remain a flexible player and utilize his versatility.