Lee (back) went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and played seven innings at shortstop Sunday in his first rehab game with Single-A Fort Myers.

EDGE Analysis

A lumbar strain forced Lee to the 10-day injured list prior to Opening Day, but now that he's started up a rehab assignment, he could be ready to make his return to the Twins around the middle of April. Expect Lee to eventually shift his assignment to Triple-A St. Paul, and he'll likely get some exposure to two or three different infield spots before Minnesota signs off on him making his MLB season debut. Second base or third base look to be Lee's most likely avenues to seeing consistent at-bats with the big club, as both Jose Miranda and Edouard Julien have gotten off to slow starts to the season at the plate.

Lee (back) began playing in rehab games at the Twins' spring training complex earlier this week, Darren Wolfson of Channel 5 Saint Paul reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 24-year-old infielder developed back trouble toward the end of camp -- the second straight spring in which that's happened, as a herniated disc delayed his 2024 debut until June -- but this year's issue appears far less serious. Lee may need a brief rehab assignment before rejoining the Twins, but he appears to be getting close to activation. With Royce Lewis (hamstring) further behind in his recovery and Jose Miranda batting .158 (3-for-19) with zero extra-base hits so far, the door figures to be open for Lee to take over as Minnesota's starting third baseman as soon as he's cleared to return.

The Twins placed Lee (back) on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Lee's back began to tighten up on him toward the very end of spring training, and he won't be able to make it back for Opening Day. Third base reps will likely be handed down to Jose Miranda and Willi Castro while Lee and Royce Lewis (hamstring) are out, but Lee should be able to take over at the hot corner once he returns.

Lee said Sunday that he will start the regular season on the 10-day injured list due to lower-back tightness, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 24-year-old has been sidelined by the injury the past few days and won't be recovered in time for Thursday's season opener. Lee was expected to have a regular role at third base with Royce Lewis managing a hamstring strain, but now both players will begin the season on the shelf. Willi Castro and Jose Miranda are the likeliest candidates to see action at the hot corner.

Lee (back) didn't participate in on-field pregame drills Saturday and is not expected to play in Sunday's spring training game, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports. He had an MRI on his back on Friday, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lee hasn't played since he was scratched from Thursday's game due to lower back tightness. If he misses more time there's a good chance he'll begin the season on the injured list. If healthy, Lee looks set to get the bulk of playing time at third base with Royce Lewis likely out several weeks with a hamstring injury.

Lee was scratched from the lineup ahead of Thursday's Grapefruit League game against Boston due to lower-back tightness, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lee has been given the day-to-day label by the team, so there's no reason to believe his injury is anything serious. He'll take a day to recover Thursday; meanwhile, Jose Miranda will pick up some extra reps at the hot corner before the start of the season.

Lee is starting at third base and batting seventh in Monday's Grapefruit League game versus the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

Royce Lewis strained his left hamstring strain during Grapefruit League action Sunday and is slated to open the season on the injured list. Lee could be the first choice to occupy the hot corner while Lewis is shelved, which would lead to more reps at second base for Willi Castro and Edouard Julien, who is starting at the keystone Monday.

Lee went 1-for-3 with his second home run of the spring in Sunday's loss to Baltimore. He's hitting .308 (8-for-26) in nine spring training games.

EDGE Analysis

Lee is competing with Edouard Julien for the starting second base job this spring with Willi Castro also likely to get time at the position. Lee is outperforming Julien so far this spring at the plate, and Julien has struggled in the field (two errors Sunday). However, Minnesota's plans for second base and Lee's role aren't clear at this point.

Lee is battling Edouard Julien for the starting second base job this spring with Willi Castro also likely to get time at the position, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. Lee started at shortstop in his spring debut Sunday and went 0-for-3.

EDGE Analysis

Lee could make the Opening Day roster and work around the infield, as he may be a better option with the glove at third base, but the Twins have decided for now to keep Royce Lewis at the hot corner. It's possible Lee could also begin the season in the minors after he posted just a .580 OPS last season in the majors over 50 games. His ability to secure a starting spot or a reserve role will be a key job battle for Minnesota this spring.

Lee is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Guardians.

EDGE Analysis

The switch-hitting Lee had started in each of the Twins' last three matchups with right-handed pitchers, but he'll hit the bench for a second straight matchup with a lefty (Joey Cantillo). Though Carlos Correa looks poised to serve as the Twins' primary shortstop down the stretch following his recent activation from the injured list, Lee could factor into the mix for playing time at second base, where Minnesota has been rotating three players (Lee, Edouard Julien and Kyle Farmer) of late. Super-utility man Willi Castro is typically picking up starts out of the outfield but could settle in as the primary option at the keystone once outfielder Max Kepler (knee) returns from the injured list.