Cole Sands Heads Back to Injured List as Twins Recall Jack Anderson

[Cody Christie]

The Minnesota Twins finally welcomed Cole Sands back from the injured list over the weekend, hoping the right-hander could stabilize a bullpen that has searched for reliable late-inning options all season. Instead, his return lasted just one appearance.

Before Tuesday's game, the Twins placed Sands back on the 15-day injured list with a right elbow strain and recalled right-hander Jack Anderson from Triple-A St. Paul to take his place on the active roster. The move comes just days after Sands completed a lengthy rehabilitation process that had already been interrupted once by another setback.

Another Setback for Sands

Sands had been sidelined since early May with a right forearm strain. Minnesota originally believed the injury would keep him out for only a short period, and he was cleared to begin a rehab assignment in early June. Those plans quickly unraveled. Inflammation returned during the rehab process, forcing the Twins to shut him down and restart his recovery from scratch. After weeks of waiting, Sands finally made it back to the major league bullpen this weekend.

His return could not have gone much worse. Sands recorded just one out while allowing five earned runs, finishing with a -0.14 Win Probability Added (WPA). While the Twins had built enough of a lead to survive against the Athletics, it was evident that something wasn't right.

Now, the club has its answer. Instead of building momentum after months of rehab, Sands is back on the injured list with an elbow strain, creating even more uncertainty around his future.

Anderson Gets Another Opportunity

To replace Sands, the Twins recalled Jack Anderson, who has quietly impressed in his first taste of the majors with Minnesota. After being claimed off waivers from the Boston Red Sox, Anderson has appeared in three games for the Twins. Across 3 1/3 scoreless innings, he has allowed just one hit while striking out four and walking one.

His previous major league experience came with Boston earlier this season, where he logged eight innings over three appearances. Anderson allowed three earned runs on eight hits while recording six strikeouts and only two walks. Although the sample size remains small, it was enough for Minnesota to see something worth developing.

His numbers at Triple-A Worcester were less dominant. Anderson posted a 4.57 ERA while striking out 20.0% of opposing hitters and walking 8.1% before the Twins claimed him.

A Tough Blow for Minnesota's Bullpen

Few relievers seemed more likely to impact Minnesota's postseason push than Sands. After establishing himself as one of the Twins' most dependable bullpen arms over the past two seasons, the expectation was that he would eventually return to reclaim a meaningful role in the late innings. Instead, injuries have limited him to just 13 appearances, and his long-awaited return ended almost as quickly as it began.

Now, with an elbow strain sending him back to the injured list, the outlook becomes much more concerning. Depending on the severity of the injury, Sands may have already thrown his final pitch of the 2026 season.

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[tony&rodney]

This is another good opportunity for Jack Anderson. This is how guys emerge from the morass that is the relief pitching shuttle. Good luck to Jack.

[ashbury]

Sands reinstated: "Getting him back is as good as making a trade!"

A couple days later: "Yeah, for Shaun Anderson or Sam Dyson maybe."

(Sorry, Cole, it's not meant to make light of your injury situation, it's about us and getting our hopes up.)

[Parfigliano]

TC has to lead the galaxy in players coming off IL then play 1-2 games and right back on IL.

[Aggies7]

He was literally here for an hourglass worth of time