Twins Place Anthony Banda On Injured List

[Steve Drumwright]

 

The Minnesota Twins have lost one of their left-handed relievers for a bit.

The Twins on Monday placed lefty Anthony Banda on the 15-day injured list due to a strained left lat and called up right-handed reliever Cody Laweryson from Triple-A.

In 39 games and 34⅓ innings this year, Banda has a 4.32 FIP (4.46 ERA) with a 9.6 walk rate and 21.2 strikeout rate. He has already hit a career-high eight batters. He appeared in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Colorado Rockies, allowing a hit, hitting a batter, walking another and striking out a pair in two-thirds of an inning.

Laweryson is with the Twins for a second time this year after making the Opening Day roster. He also spent time on the 15-day injured list due to a strained right forearm. When healthy, Laweryson appeared in 14 games and had a 4.97 FIP (5.06 ERA), posting a 9.7% walk rate and 25% strikeout rate. He has given up three homers in 16 innings.

 

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[DJL44]

That’s a pretty big downgrade. Banda is probably injured past the trade deadline.

[tony&rodney]

Tough deal for Banda and the Twins. He has been pretty good since early on in the season.

[LA Vikes Fan]

This is actually a big blow. Banda had 18th St. scoreless appearances before giving up the two run homer to Colorado. FranklY, the BP just got a lot thinner.

[Whitey333]

Yes another tough Pitching loss for a bullpen that overall performs at a minor league level.  Banda was pretty decent.  Shelton said yesterday he Banda could be out for months.

[jaimedude]

To bad, Banda was helping the Twins. I liked his competitiveness on the mound. Bullpen is thinner now. 

[Linus]

We’ve pretty much tapped out all the pitching in the organization- maybe Culpepper?

[tarheeltwinsfan]

6 hours ago, Linus said:

We’ve pretty much tapped out all the pitching in the organization- maybe Culpepper?

La Tortuga?

[lecroy24fan]

On 6/29/2026 at 8:41 PM, DJL44 said:

That’s a pretty big downgrade. Banda is probably injured past the trade deadline.

Well he is expected to be out for months so that is guaranteed.

[DocBauer]

They really couldn't afford to lose him. Since he has control left and won't be overly expensive, I wonder if this means he's kept for 2027? He's sure not going to be traded now. So maybe a small silver lining? (Grasping for a silver lining).

I kinda like Laweryson based on his late 2025 appearance...should have been brought up sooner...his ST this season, and some decent performances this season. He's not going to "fix' anything. But I think he's got potential as a 6th or 7th man in the pen. At the very least, he should get some runway to see if he can be PART of a future BP. But he does need to step up the consistency. 

Frankly, I was a little surprised they didn't bring Rojas back up. I love his stuff and potential, even with some control issues. Are they trying to work a little more on control before his next promotion? Are they trying to stretch him back out a little more considering the time he missed? Both?

I just know I'd like to see him again, sooner rather than later.

Back to @Linus question, CJ is probably the next man up. Young, talented, having flashed when healthy, and seemingly adapting well to the pen, I think he needs a little more AAA time, but I'm pretty sure we see him up before the season is over.

Glad to see Raya wasn't sent down after 40+ pitches. It's been a weird and winding road in regard to his development, but the kid has some really good stuff in his arsenal. Honestly, unless he's a disaster, I almost care about the results of his first few appearances. I'm more interested in how he responds and develops vs immediate results. No more DFA cash considerations to jump to the top of the list unless you REALLY think you got something. It's more important to look to the future.

Which also kind of circles back to really wanting Rojas back ASAP.

[lecroy24fan]

3 minutes ago, DocBauer said:

Frankly, I was a little surprised they didn't bring Rojas back up. I love his stuff and potential, even with some control issues. Are they trying to work a little more on control before his next promotion? Are they trying to stretch him back out a little more considering the time he missed? Both?

Yes they want to stretch him out. They made a mistake not doing it before activating him off the IL.