Matt Wallner returned to the Twins on Saturday after missing 38 games due to a left hamstring strain. Wallner, who slashed .263/.373/.474 with one home run, five doubles and two triples before suffering his hamstring injury in the Twins’ game against the Mets on April 15, went 2-for-6 with a two-run homer, a single and a walk in Minnesota’s games against the Mariners Saturday and Sunday.

Wallner’s return left DaShawn Keirsey Jr. as the odd man out on the 26-man roster, but now that the Twins have their slugging right fielder back and healthy, there is one more player who may be off the squad soon due to a lack of playing opportunities.

Matt Wallner’s powerful return leaves infielder Jonah Bride on thin ice

Bride, who the Twins acquired from the Miami Marlins on April 16 in response to Wallner’s injury, had a decent stretch when he first joined Minnesota, reaching base at a .372 clip through his first 43 plate appearances in limited action. However, he has gone hitless in 14 plate appearances with just one walk since then. Overall, Bride is hitting .250/.298/.288 for Minnesota.

The Twins likely intend to utilize Wallner as much as possible, which will lead to him and Trevor Larnach frequently holding down the designated hitter position. Because of this, it will be difficult for Rocco Baldelli to use infielders in the spot.

The Twins appear to want consistent playing time from infielders Brooks Lee, Ty France, Kody Clemens, Carlos Correa and Royce Lewis, and without the designated hitter spot being open often, Bride doesn’t consistently find himself on the field.

Bride could very likely be claimed by another team if eventually DFA’d, but the Twins might release him simply because they cannot find much playing time for him and Luke Keaschall might return at the end of the month or in July.

However, Lewis might be facing a demotion to the minor leagues if he does not improve his offensive performance, which would create a scenario where Bride could hold onto his roster spot. Still, Bride has to start hitting at a higher level if he wants to stay with the Twins.

Twins set to begin series against the Athletics

Minnesota is slated to begin a four-game series with the Athletics at 9:05 p.m. CT on Monday at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, Calif. Game 1’s scheduled starting pitchers are righties Joe Ryan and Luis Severino.