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      Cody Christie

      The Twins made multiple roster moves on Thursday, but one came much later than expected. Just a couple of hours before first pitch against the Marlins, Minnesota scratched center fielder Byron Buxton from the lineup because of soreness in his right hip flexor. Buxton had originally been scheduled to serve as the designated hitter and hit leadoff before the club made the late change.

      With Buxton unavailable, Austin Martin moved into the leadoff spot while Josh Bell stepped in as the designated hitter. Given how important Buxton has become to Minnesota’s offense over the last month, any injury concern immediately grabs attention.

      The timing is especially unfortunate because Buxton is in the middle of arguably the best power stretch of his career. After launching another leadoff home run on Wednesday night, he now has 15 home runs in his last 26 games dating back to April 13. No player in baseball has hit more homers during that stretch, with Buxton sitting two ahead of Kyle Schwarber.

      Even with a relatively quiet opening couple of weeks to the season, Buxton’s 15 home runs still rank tied for second in the American League and tied for third in all of baseball entering Thursday’s games.

      What has made the run even more impressive is the consistency. Since April 21, Buxton has not gone more than three games without leaving the yard. Wednesday’s blast was the 23rd leadoff homer of his career and his third already this season. The Twins have leaned heavily on his ability to create instant offense at the top of the lineup, especially with injuries and inconsistency affecting other parts of the roster.

      Over a larger sample, the production becomes even more eye-opening. Since May 14, 2025, Buxton has hit 41 home runs in just 128 games. Expanding the sample to his last 162 games dating back to April 1, 2025, he has clubbed 50 home runs. He is also currently on pace for 56 home runs this season, which would easily surpass his previous single-season career high of 35 set in 2025. That is superstar-level production from a player who has often battled injuries throughout his career.

      That is why Thursday’s scratch immediately raises concern, even if the Twins are initially calling it soreness. Minnesota has already dealt with a wave of pitching injuries this season, and the lineup looks entirely different when Buxton is unavailable.

      The Twins are already adjusting to life without Matt Wallner after his surprising option to Triple-A St. Paul earlier in the day. That move opened the door for Martin to take over as the club’s primary right fielder, making Buxton’s absence even more noticeable in an already reshuffled lineup.

      For now, the Twins will hope the move was simply precautionary and not something that lingers. Because over the last month, few players in baseball have been more dangerous than Byron Buxton.

      Matthew Taylor

      The Minnesota Twins have begun locking in their 2025 draft class, announcing the signings of three of their top selections, including their first-rounder, just days after the MLB Draft.

      Marek Houston, the Twins' first-round pick at No. 16 overall, has officially signed for $4,497,500, slightly under the assigned slot value of $4,929,600. Houston, widely regarded as the best defensive shortstop in the class, brings elite glove work and advanced instincts to the organization. Though questions remain about the bat, his athleticism and polish make him a potential fast mover in the system.

      Joining him is Riley Quick, the Twins' supplemental first-rounder out of Alabama, who signed for his full slot value of $2,692,000. A hard-throwing righty with a deep pitch mix, Quick profiles as a potential rotation mainstay with multiple plus offerings and a competitive SEC pedigree.

      Second-round pick Quentin Young, the nephew of former Twin Delmon Young, also signed for full slot value at $1,761,600. One of the more intriguing upside plays in the class, Young brings raw but electric tools, boasting elite athleticism and massive power potential. If the Twins can refine his approach, he could become a high-ceiling force in the lineup down the line.

      The Twins are expected to announce additional signings in the coming days as they work to finalize the rest of their 2025 class.

      Stay up-to-date on the 2025 MLB Draft with Twins Daily's draft tracker.

      Cody Christie

      Preseason rankings abound, but MLB.com recently delivered a bleak forecast for the Minnesota Twins. MLB.com’s Mike Petriello recently grouped every Major League club into tiers reflecting their potential to win during the 2026 season. Instead of ranking teams from 1 to 30, he grouped organizations into roughly 8 or 9 groups based on expectations, roster strength, and overall outlook.

      At the very top sits a tier of its own occupied by the Los Angeles Dodgers. The next level includes a collection of clear contenders like the Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs, Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, and New York Yankees. Minnesota, however, landed on the opposite end of the spectrum.

      Petriello placed the Twins in the lowest league tier, with only the Angels sharing that spot. It's a grouping that raises a pressing question: What is the path forward?

      To be clear, Petriello did not suggest these teams will necessarily finish with the worst records in baseball. In fact, he acknowledged that both the Twins and Angels still have talent on their rosters, including superstar players like Byron Buxton and Mike Trout. The concern is less about pure ability and more about the direction of the organizations themselves.

      According to Petriello, the issue primarily concerns the vibe around the clubs. For Minnesota, the last several months have shaped those vibes. Uncertainty after last year’s trade deadline and injuries to key pitchers like Pablo Lopez and David Festa have created a sense that the franchise is straddling competing and retooling. Outsiders often struggle to interpret that ambiguity positively.

      The data-driven projections do little to calm those concerns either. FanGraphs currently projects the Twins for the 23rd most wins (78 wins) in baseball during the 2026 season. The Angels sit even lower at 27th in those projections (73 wins). Only a handful of teams project worse, including the Chicago White Sox, Washington Nationals, and Colorado Rockies, who FanGraphs expects to finish with fewer than 70 wins.

      Ironically, Petriello placed several of those clubs in a higher tier than Minnesota. The Cardinals, Rockies, Nationals, and White Sox all landed in the eighth tier rather than the ninth. His reasoning was that those organizations appear to have a clearer long-term plan in place, even if the short-term results may still be rough. That distinction highlights the real criticism facing the Twins right now. It is not just about wins and losses. It is about perception.

      Minnesota still features a roster capable of surprising people if things break the right way. Young players could step forward, the pitching staff could stabilize, and a few early-season wins could quickly change the narrative around a team. But heading into the season, the national view of the franchise remains uncertain.

      The Twins may not accept the assessment, but it clearly outlines the challenge they face as they enter 2026. If the organization wants to shift the conversation about its future, it must do so on the field once the games start.

      Cody Christie

      Every franchise wants to believe it has been among baseball’s elite over the last quarter-century. A new set of rankings from The Athletic attempts to answer that question by putting a number on sustained success across Major League Baseball.

      Each year, the publication releases its MLB Franchise Rankings, measuring how teams have performed over the last 25 seasons. The system rewards postseason success while also accounting for division titles and long stretches of losing seasons. It is designed to measure consistency rather than simply rewarding a single championship window.

      The Athletic’s formula, adapted from Bob Sturm’s football system, fits baseball’s postseason: nine points for a World Series win, six for runner-up, three for losing in the Championship Series, two for Division Series, one for Wild Card loss. Additional adjustments include a point for division titles and a deduction for consecutive 90-loss seasons.

      Unlike many rankings that focus on recent performance, this system does not give extra weight to the most recent seasons. The goal is to capture the entire 25-year stretch from 2001 through today and determine which franchises have consistently found ways to stay competitive.

      Twins Land at No. 14
      Minnesota ranked 14th overall with 25 total points over the 25-year period. That position places them in the top half of baseball but just barely, reflecting a franchise that has experienced bursts of success mixed with frustrating postseason outcomes.

      Within the American League, only six teams ranked higher than Minnesota. The teams ahead of the Twins include the New York Yankees at second overall, the Boston Red Sox at fourth, and the Houston Astros at fifth. Those franchises have combined for multiple championships and deep playoff runs during the ranking period. A few more familiar American League rivals also finished ahead of Minnesota. The Cleveland Guardians ranked tenth, the Texas Rangers placed eleventh, and the Los Angeles Angels came in twelfth.

      For Twins fans, the ranking feels both fair and frustrating. Minnesota has been competitive in several stretches over the last two decades, but postseason success has been harder to come by. A few deeper October runs could have pushed the franchise comfortably into the top ten.

      A Steady Climb in Recent Years
      Even though the Twins sit in the middle of the pack today, the trend line has been moving in the right direction. The franchise ranked 14th in 2025 with 24 points. In 2024, Minnesota ranked 15th overall with 22 points. The year before that, they were down at 17th with 19 points. Just a short time ago, the franchise was much closer to the bottom half of baseball.

      The biggest jump came between 2022 and 2023. In the 2022 rankings, the Twins placed 22nd with only 11 points. At that point, the organization was still feeling the impact of several losing seasons and limited postseason success during the ranking window. Since then, the club has slowly climbed back toward the middle of the league. It is not a dramatic rise, but it shows that recent competitive seasons have helped stabilize Minnesota’s standing.

      What Comes Next
      While the recent climb is encouraging, these rankings may soon be challenging for the Twins. The system uses a rolling 25-year window, so Minnesota’s best seasons from the early 2000s will eventually drop out. When those years fall off, the Twins could lose points that now keep them mid-standings. The team will need new postseason appearances and division titles to maintain or boost its position.

      Fortunately for Minnesota, the path to those points might not be overly complicated. The American League Central has frequently been one of baseball’s most competitive but unpredictable divisions. No team has completely dominated the division in recent seasons, leaving opportunities for a club that gets hot at the right time.

      For now, the latest rankings paint a clear picture of the franchise over the last quarter-century. The Twins have not been among baseball’s true powerhouses, but they also have not fallen into the category of long-term struggling organizations. Instead, Minnesota sits right where the numbers say it belongs. Solid, competitive, and still searching for the October breakthrough that could change the entire conversation.

      Cody Christie

      The college baseball season has just begun, but draft discussions are already taking shape. As conference play begins nationwide, scouts are evaluating players and identifying early favorites for July’s MLB Draft. That timing has become the unofficial launch point for the year's first mock draft. This week, Baseball America released its Mock Draft 1.0 for 2026, offering an early snapshot of how the top of the class could unfold.

      At this stage, the focus is on identifying talent tiers rather than matching teams to players. Teams are already evaluating which prospects need the most scouting focus in the coming months.

      For the Minnesota Twins, the early projection is exciting. Holding the third overall pick in the 2026 draft, Minnesota is positioned to add another elite prospect to a farm system that has recently seen several waves of talent graduate to the major league level.

      According to the mock draft, the Chicago White Sox are projected to select UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky with the first overall pick. Cholowsky entered the spring as the consensus top prospect in the class and has drawn comparisons to other elite shortstops, further supporting his status as a top choice, while maintaining his strong narrative during the opening weeks of the season.

      Through his first 15 games, Cholowsky has been electric at the plate. He is slashing .309/.461/.818 for a massive 1.279 OPS while launching eight home runs and adding four doubles. It is the kind of early-season performance that only strengthens his case to go first overall.

      With the second pick, the Tampa Bay Rays are projected to choose prep shortstop Grady Emerson. High school prospects can be unpredictable this early, and Emerson has his entire senior season to solidify his status.

      That leaves the Twins on the clock at number three. Baseball America’s projection has Minnesota selecting shortstop Justin Lebron from the Alabama Crimson Tide. If his early-season production is any indication, Lebron could be one of the fastest-rising players in the entire class.

      In 17 games this spring, Lebron is hitting .302/.458/.730 with a 1.188 OPS. He already has eight home runs and three doubles while adding another dimension with his speed. Lebron is a perfect 16-for-16 in stolen base attempts and has shown strong plate discipline with 14 walks compared to just 12 strikeouts.

      That combination of power, speed, and on-base ability is exactly the type of profile that tends to move up draft boards as the season progresses. If Lebron continues producing at this level against SEC competition, there is a real chance he could push his way into the conversation for the top overall pick.

      Many other contenders remain in play near the top. Several college hitters have drawn early attention: Jackson Flora, Drew Burress, Ace Reese, AJ Gracia, and Chris Hacopian. The high school class also features promising prospects beyond Emerson. Jacob Lombard and Erick Becker could all factor into the top of the draft, depending on how their spring performances develop.

      It is important to remember that March mock drafts are only the starting point. Performances will fluctuate, injuries can change the landscape, and scouting opinions often evolve as teams see players more frequently throughout the spring.

      Still, these early projections offer a useful snapshot of the talent pool. By July, the draft board will look different in many ways, but the Twins will likely choose from a group that includes several names already near the top of this mock draft.

      Cody Christie

      The latest round of spring roster cuts from the Minnesota Twins came as little surprise, but they offer clarity on how the organization is shaping its upper-level depth.

      At this stage of camp, decisions are now driven by practicality rather than upside. Veterans and non-roster invites receive longer looks for early-season roles. Prospects needing everyday reps or rehabbing injuries move to the minor league side. These changes don't dramatically alter the long-term outlook but do clarify how the Twins prioritize development and depth as camp concludes.

      With those themes in mind, let's break down the implications of this specific group of cuts.

      Catching Depth Gets Reassigned

      Andrew Cossetti and Ricardo Olivar were both in big league camp to provide depth behind the plate. Neither was realistically pushing for an Opening Day role, but both gave the Twins reliable innings throughout the early Grapefruit League schedule.

      Cossetti, a 2022 draft pick, has spent the last two seasons at Double A and posted a .717 OPS across 171 games. He has split time between catcher and first base, giving him some defensive versatility, but his offensive production has remained more steady than spectacular. For now, he remains organizational depth with a chance to climb if the bat takes another step.

      Olivar has quietly put together a solid run in the system since signing out of Venezuela. Over five seasons, he has worked his way into fringe top-30 prospect conversations. Last season at Double A, he posted a .768 OPS in 93 games and continued to show a balanced offensive profile. Like Cossetti, he was in camp primarily to support the catching workload. Returning him to the minor league side allows him to prepare for what should be another important season in his development.

      A Sensible Move for Walker Jenkins

      There was never any real debate about Jenkins breaking camp with the big league club, especially once the hamstring strain surfaced.

      Jenkins remains the top prospect in the organization, but he is not on the 40-man roster and is currently sidelined for a couple of weeks. With his focus on rehab and getting back to full strength, sending him to minor league camp is simply procedural. It allows him to progress at his own pace without occupying a spot on a big league roster.

      The Twins are thinking long term here. Jenkins does not need to rush anything in March. His priority is building toward a healthy and productive season, not squeezing in a few extra at-bats in exhibition games.

      Sorting Out the Triple-A Bullpen

      On the pitching side, several arms now shift their attention toward Triple-A roles.

      Christian MacLeod’s path remains one of the more interesting developments. A fifth-round pick in 2021, he reached Triple-A last season after a strong first half at Double-A. As a starter there, he posted a 2.63 ERA in 13 starts and looked to be trending upward. The move to the bullpen in St. Paul brought mixed results. The hitter-friendly environment proved challenging, and his numbers took a hit. Still, the organization appears committed to him as a reliever for now. Returning him to Triple-A in a bullpen role gives him a chance to refine that transition with more experience.

      Andrew Bash is a name to keep in mind. He has spent his entire professional career in the Blue Jays organization and quietly put together an impressive 2025 campaign at Triple-A. Over 40 appearances and 84 innings, he logged a 2.57 ERA with a 7.7 K/9. Minnesota brought him into camp for a closer evaluation, and while he will start the season in the minors, he profiles as a potential depth option if the big league bullpen needs reinforcements.

      Raul Brito rounds out the group. The 28-year-old spent the last two seasons in the Padres system and showed swing-and-miss ability at Triple-A last year with an 11.7 K/9 across 63 1/3 innings. The problem was consistency. A 6.11 ERA, 5.0 BB/9, and 10.2 H/9 illustrate the volatility. Like Bash and MacLeod, he should factor into the Triple-A bullpen mix and serve as depth if he can tighten the command.

      None of these cuts dramatically shifts the outlook for the Opening Day roster. Instead, they represent the natural narrowing of camp competition as the calendar flips toward the regular season. Spring training roster cuts are rarely headline-grabbing. But they often reveal how an organization values depth, flexibility, and patience. This round was no different.

      Cody Christie

      The Minnesota Twins checked off another vital offseason box by avoiding arbitration with Ryan Jeffers. According to KSTP’s Darren Wolfson, the two sides agreed to a one-year deal worth $6.7 million, covering Jeffers’ final season of arbitration eligibility.

      The number landed almost exactly where industry expectations pointed. MLB Trade Rumors projected Jeffers to earn $6.6 million. With free agency now looming next winter, both sides secured cost certainty while keeping flexibility for what comes next.

      That flexibility matters because Jeffers’ name continues to surface in trade speculation. Rumors have linked the Philadelphia Phillies to the Twins catcher if they are unable to come to terms with longtime backstop J.T. Realmuto. Minnesota could theoretically hold Jeffers into the regular season and revisit trade discussions closer to the trade deadline. Still, most teams prefer stability at catcher from the first day of spring training. Catchers need time to build trust with a pitching staff, and that reality often pushes deals earlier rather than later.

      While Jeffers is not Realmuto, the gap between the two is smaller than it might appear at first glance. During the 2025 season, Jeffers slashed .266/.356/.397, adding nine home runs and 47 RBI across 119 games. Realmuto produced a .257/.315 /.384 line, along with 12 home runs and 52 RBI in 134 games. The larger body of work still favors Realmuto, who owns a .270/.328/.447 career line over 1,373 games, while Jeffers sits at .239/.321/.419 through 515 contests. Even so, Jeffers has quietly grown into a better-than-average offensive catcher, especially over the last three seasons.

      Minnesota has leaned on a tandem behind the plate in recent years, splitting time between Jeffers and Christian Vazquez, who is now a free agent. The Twins have indicated that Jeffers will see more regular work moving forward, though few catchers reach 120 games caught in a season. Depth remains a concern. Alex Jackson and Jhonny Pereda currently profile as the next options, leaving the organization thin at the position with no clear answers knocking on the door in the upper minors.

      For now, the arbitration agreement keeps things simple. Jeffers remains the Twins’ top catcher, the payroll stays predictable, and the front office retains options. Whether Jeffers spends all of 2026 in a Twins uniform or becomes a trade chip later on, Minnesota has positioned itself well. Avoiding arbitration was not just about dollars and cents. It was about buying time, and in this case, time may prove to be the most valuable asset of all.

      Cody Christie

      The Minnesota Twins community is mourning the loss of a member of its 1987 championship club. Tom Nieto has passed away at the age of 65 after suffering a heart attack, according to a message shared by his family and later confirmed by the organization on Monday.

      Nieto’s sister shared the news publicly, noting that he passed on March 27 while in Florida with his family. She described a man whose strength and resilience left a lasting impact on those closest to him, a sentiment that has echoed throughout the baseball world since the announcement.

      The Twins also released a statement shortly after the news became public.

       

      Nieto’s baseball journey began when the Twins selected him in the 31st round of the 1979 MLB Draft. Instead of signing, he chose to continue his development at the collegiate level, eventually going to Oral Roberts before being selected in the third round of the 1981 MLB Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals.

      A highly regarded prospect in the Cardinals system, Nieto worked his way through the minors before making his big league debut in 1984. He made an immediate impression during his rookie campaign, posting a 109 OPS+ across 33 games and establishing himself as a capable backstop. He had a role on the Cardinals team that reached the 1985 World Series, but St. Louis ultimately fell to the Kansas City Royals in a seven-game series.

      Two years later, Nieto found himself on baseball’s biggest stage again, but this time on the opposite side. After a stint with the Montreal Expos, the Twins acquired him during the 1987 season. In Minnesota, Nieto appeared in 41 games as part of a team that would go on to win the World Series, defeating his former Cardinals club in seven games.

      While his offensive numbers with Minnesota were modest, Nieto played a supporting role on a roster that has become one of the most beloved in franchise history. Across two seasons with the Twins, he appeared in 65 games and contributed as a depth option behind the plate during a championship run. In total, Nieto spent seven seasons in the big leagues.

      Following his playing days, Nieto transitioned into coaching, where he made perhaps an even greater impact. He spent seven seasons with the New York Yankees organization from 1995 through 2002 and later joined the New York Mets, working under manager Willie Randolph. With the Mets, Nieto served as both a catching instructor and first base coach.

      For Twins fans, his name will always be tied to 1987, a season that remains one of the franchise's defining moments. Today, it also serves as a reminder of the people who helped make that run possible and the lasting impact they leave behind.

      Cody Christie

      The Minnesota Twins created space on their 40-man roster on Wednesday morning, placing outfielder Carson McCusker on unconditional release waivers. The move comes just hours before the Rule 5 Draft, where the club is expected to make at least one selection. It is a procedural decision with immediate implications for roster construction, but it also marks the end of a unique and memorable chapter in the organization.

      McCusker’s story has been anything but conventional. He joined the Twins as a signing out of the independent leagues, a late bloomer with imposing size and raw power who needed the right environment to refine his game. Minnesota believed there was more in his swing and approach than previous evaluations suggested, and McCusker rewarded that faith with one of the better early-season performances in the system during 2025.

      At Triple-A St. Paul last spring, McCusker put together an impressive first half with a 1.048 OPS in April and a .948 OPS in May. He controlled the strike zone better than expected, posted strong on-base numbers, and showed the kind of damage potential that made him a frequent middle-of-the-order presence. His run of production pushed him firmly onto the radar for a big league opportunity, and the Twins eventually called him up during a stretch when they needed additional depth

      The opportunity, however, never fully developed. Despite earning his way to the highest level, McCusker saw limited action and never received the extended look some thought he had earned. The Twins used him primarily as a bench option and sporadic pinch hitter, a role that made it difficult for him to build rhythm or make a lasting impression. In 16 games, he went 5-for-29 with 16 strikeouts and no extra-base hits. When the roster became crowded again, he was optioned back to St. Paul and remained there for most of the second half.

      Even with minimal major league exposure, McCusker did enough within the organization to maintain interest from clubs abroad. While nothing is finalized, industry speculation suggests he will explore opportunities to play in Asia during the 2026 season. His size, power, and plate discipline make him an intriguing fit for teams in Japan or Korea, where a change of environment could offer consistent at-bats and a more defined role.

      For the Twins, Wednesday’s decision reflects the tight roster calculus that comes with balancing present depth and future investment. Opening a spot before the Rule 5 Draft signals that Minnesota sees value in adding an external player it believes can contribute in the near future.

      McCusker’s release is a reminder that player development paths are rarely linear and that opportunities often hinge on timing as much as talent. His journey from the independent leagues to the doorstep of a major league job was a success story in itself, even if the Twins chapter concludes earlier than anticipated. Now he will look for the next stage of his career while the Twins move forward into the offseason with another key decision ahead.

      John Bonnes

      The Minnesota Twins have optioned right-hander Eric Orze to Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday, clearing space on the active roster for Tommy Nance, acquired Friday from the Blue Jays. The Athletic's Dan Hayes first reported the move.

      Only a handful of Twins relievers have been leaned on more heavily than Orze, who has appeared in 35 games and thrown 41 ⅓ innings. But the results have lagged behind the workload. Orze carries a 5.27 ERA and 1.49 WHIP, with 36 strikeouts against 21 walks. What’s more, he’s been trending in the wrong direction, posting a 9.00 ERA and 1.78 WHIP since June 1st. 

      The 28-year-old came to Minnesota from Tampa Bay in a November trade for minor-league pitcher Jacob Kisting, following a promising 2025 in which he posted a 3.02 ERA over 41.2 innings for the Rays. Because he still has minor-league options, he was the path of least resistance when the front office needed a spot for Nance.

      Nance, 35, cost the Twins minor-league catcher/third baseman Ryan Sprock, last year's eighth-round pick. The veteran right-hander owns a 3.82 ERA over 33 innings for Toronto this season with a 24.5% strikeout rate, and he comes with three additional years of club control beyond 2026. 

      Orze figures to be a candidate to return quickly whenever the bullpen needs reinforcements. For now, he'll try to rediscover his 2025 form with the Saints.

       

      Steve Drumwright

       

      With the Minnesota Twins bringing in bullpen help from outside the organization, left-hander Kody Funderburk lost his roster spot.

      The Twins on Tuesday optioned Funderburk to Triple-A St. Paul. The move came the day after the Twins acquired rigjt-hander Justin Lawrence from the Pittsburgh Pirates for cash considerations. Lawrence had been designated for assignment by the Pirates.

      Funderburk has been doing well in the bullpen, posting a 3.44 ERA in 21 appearances covering 18⅓ innings. However, walks have hurt Funderburk as he has issued 16 free passes, while striking out 10.

      Lawrence had a 5.32 ERA in 23 outings and 22 innings with 12 walks and 25 strikeouts with the Pirates.

       

      Cory Moen

      The Twins have optioned outfielder Kyler Fedko to Triple-A after Thursday's loss against Cleveland. This likely makes room for Ryan Jeffers to return from the injured list in the upcoming series against the Angels.

      Fedko was on the major league roster for about three weeks, where he played in 14 games, going 0-16 with eight strikeouts. His first major league hit will have to wait, as he will be back with Triple-A St. Paul this weekend. He was mostly used as a pinch runner and defensive replacement in his appearances with the Twins. 

      Cody Christie

      Investing heavily in a high school pitcher is always risky. Pitchers are fragile, their development can take longer than planned, and injuries are common. The Twins accepted those risks when they picked Charlee Soto with the 34th overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft.

      Now, the early portion of Soto’s professional career has served as a reminder of that risk. According to MLB.com reporter Matthew Leach, Soto is behind schedule this spring as he continues to recover from bone spur surgery that took place last summer. The Twins Daily No. 10 prospect will open the 2026 season on the injured list, though there is some encouraging progress. Soto is expected to begin throwing live batting practice in early April, which could put him on a path toward returning to game action sometime later in the spring.

      Though not ideal, the delay is just another twist in Soto’s development. The Twins rarely use early picks on prep pitchers because it’s a volatile profile, often preferring college arms or position players at the top of the draft.

      Soto was an exception. The 17-year-old right-hander out of Reborn Christian Academy in Florida had the type of electric arm talent that made the gamble worthwhile. Minnesota signed him for a 2.48 million bonus and immediately placed him among the most intriguing young arms in the system. Since then, however, the results have been mixed.

      Soto made his professional debut in 2024 and spent the year with Fort Myers. The Twins managed his workload carefully, which is common for young pitchers in their first full season. Across 21 appearances, he posted a 5.23 ERA while showing flashes of the raw stuff that made him such an appealing draft target. His fastball velocity and overall athleticism remained impressive, but consistency proved difficult to maintain.

      The following season brought even more frustration. In 2025, Soto managed only 13 innings before injuries interrupted his year. A triceps strain sidelined him after just three starts with Cedar Rapids. As he worked his way through that recovery process, another issue emerged. In August, Soto underwent a procedure to remove a partially detached bone spur in his elbow.

      The positive news was that doctors found no structural damage in the elbow itself. For a pitcher, that distinction matters. Structural issues involving ligaments often lead to lengthy recoveries and, in some cases, major surgery. Soto avoided that scenario, which allowed the Twins to remain optimistic about his long-term outlook.

      This spring represents the first step toward putting those health questions behind him. Even though Soto will begin the season on the injured list, the expectation is that he will gradually build up his workload once he returns to the mound. Live batting practice in early April is typically one of the final checkpoints before pitchers resume competitive innings. If everything progresses as planned, Soto could see game action not long after that.

      Soto’s talent has never been the primary concern. His fastball already flashes the type of life that scouts dream about when projecting future big-league starters. His secondary pitches still require refinement, but the foundation of a legitimate pitching arsenal is there. What the Twins need to see now is durability and repetition. That means building innings.

      After throwing only a small number of frames over the last two seasons, Soto’s goal in 2026 should be to push past the 100-inning mark. Reaching that threshold would represent a meaningful step in his progression and help answer some of the durability questions that currently surround him.

      Equally important will be his ability to refine his command and pitch sequencing. Young pitchers often rely on raw velocity early in their careers, but long-term success requires learning how to navigate lineups, adjust during games, and consistently locate pitches in competitive counts.

      If Soto can combine improved health with those developmental gains, his prospect stock could rebound quickly. For now, patience remains the key. His 2026 season may begin later than expected, but it will offer another opportunity for Soto to show why the Twins believed in his potential in the first place.

      If he can return to the mound, stay healthy, and steadily build his workload, the narrative surrounding his development could start to shift again. For a pitcher with Soto’s ceiling, simply getting back on the field and logging consistent innings would be a meaningful step toward the future the organization envisioned on draft day.

      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.

       

      Cody Christie

      Major League Baseball dropped another sign that draft season is officially here on Wednesday, announcing updated bonus pools and slot values for all 30 clubs. Minnesota enters the 2026 draft cycle with a total bonus pool of $16,929,600, the fourth-largest in the sport. Only the Pirates, Rays, and White Sox sit ahead of them, putting the Twins in a position to be aggressive, flexible, and maybe even a little opportunistic when July rolls around.

      Holding the third overall pick certainly helps. That selection alone carries a slot value of $9,740,100, giving Minnesota a massive chunk of spending power right at the top. It is the kind of pick that can shape an entire draft class, whether the Twins choose to go with the best player available or try to manipulate the board with an underslot deal.

      The next key checkpoint comes at pick 43, where the assigned value sits at $2,333,200. That is another meaningful piece of the puzzle, especially for a front office that has not been shy about moving money around the board in recent years. Add in the Competitive Balance Round B selection at 74th overall, valued at $1,138,600, and the Twins suddenly have multiple pressure points to build out a deeper strategy.

      Around the league, the headlines start at the very top. The White Sox landed the No. 1 overall pick and with it a record-setting slot value of $11,350,600, the largest since the bonus pool system was introduced in 2012. Despite that, it is the Pirates who control the biggest overall pool at $19,130,700, another record and a reminder that volume still matters as much as position.

      This year’s increases were modest but notable. Slot values rose by 2.5% across the board, a reflection of the game’s continued revenue growth. In total, the 30 clubs combine for $358,662,500 in bonus pool money, up from $350,357,700 a year ago.

      Of course, teams rarely treat those numbers as strict guidelines. The system is built for creativity. Each pick in the first 10 rounds comes with an assigned value, and exceeding the total pool triggers penalties, but there is plenty of room to maneuver within those boundaries. If a player in the top 10 rounds does not sign, his slot value disappears from the pool entirely, raising the stakes on every negotiation.

      That is where things get interesting for teams like Minnesota. Clubs picking near the top often look to save money on their first selection, signing a player for less than slot value and redistributing those savings to later picks. It is a strategy that can turn a strong class into a deep one, especially when paired with extra selections like the Twins have this year.

      Recent spending trends suggest teams are more willing than ever to push the limits. Clubs handed out $392,533,711 in signing bonuses in 2025, shattering the previous record set just one year earlier. The Orioles led the way with a staggering $21,150,840, showing just how aggressive teams can be when the right opportunities present themselves.

      All of this sets the stage for a fascinating summer. The Twins are not just picking high. They are picking often, and they have the financial flexibility to take risks. In a draft that rarely follows a script, Minnesota has the resources to be creative with their spending. 

      Matthew Taylor

      The Minnesota Twins are wasting little time challenging their top draft pick. Shortstop Marek Houston, the 16th overall selection in July’s draft, has been promoted to High-A Cedar Rapids after just 12 games with the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels.

      Houston impressed immediately in Low-A, slashing .370/.424/.444 with 13 strikeouts, five walks, and plenty of highlight plays in the field. His advanced glove work, considered the best among shortstops in this year’s draft, was a major factor in the Twins selecting him in the first round.

      He now joins a Kernels team that already has its ticket punched for the postseason after winning the Midwest League West Division’s first half. Houston will get a taste of playoff baseball right away, with 18 regular-season games left plus Cedar Rapids’ postseason run. His High-A debut could come as soon as tomorrow, August 19, when the Kernels visit the South Bend Cubs.

      What do you think of Houston’s early showing in the Twins organization? Is he tracking even faster than expected? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

      Matthew Lenz

      With an excess amount of depth from the outfield at both the major league and minor league levels, the Minnesota Twins are exploring the possibility of a recently acquired prospect trying their hand at a new position in 2026.

      In a recent episode of Inside Twins, general manager Jeremy Zoll said that Hendry Mendez would get an opportunity to play first base in 2026. Though it's not a position that Mendez has experienced, it is surely a position of need within the organization, and he's shown that outfield defense is not a strength of his.

      At the major league level, the Twins will likely use a combination of Josh Bell, Kody Clemens, and Victor Caratini at first. Behind those three, Aaron Sabato is the only real option, and it's pretty clear he's a long shot to contribute to the Twins, if there's a shot at all.

      Mendez, 21, was acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies in the Harrison Bader trade. He was added to the 40-man roster in November after a successful season at Double-A and in the Arizona Fall League. Though he didn't crack Twins Daily's top 20 prospect list in the last update, he was ranked as the Twins' 25th-best prospect by MLB Pipeline at the end of last season. After such a successful 2025, it's almost a guarantee he will move up in both lists.

      Do you think he can establish himself as a candidate for the Twins' first baseman in the future? Let us know in the comments!

      Cody Christie

      For much of the 2026 season, the Twins have been forced to navigate an endless stream of injuries. While the club continues to battle through those setbacks, Friday brought several pieces of positive news.

      Three notable names—top prospect Walker Jenkins, right-hander Mick Abel, and left-hander Kendry Rojas—are all progressing toward returns. Each player reached a significant checkpoint in his recovery process this weekend, offering hope that reinforcements could soon be on the way.

      Walker Jenkins Nearing Return to Game Action

      The Twins expect Jenkins to begin a rehab assignment with Low-A Fort Myers on Saturday, marking his first game action since suffering a Grade 2 AC joint sprain in his left shoulder on May 5. The injury occurred while he crashed into an outfield wall while making a catch for Triple-A St. Paul.

      Minnesota's top prospect was still finding his footing early in the season after arriving at Triple-A, but he entered the injured list on a much stronger note than he started. Before getting hurt, Jenkins had improved his season line to .256/.396/.389 (.785) across 111 plate appearances. That followed a 2025 campaign in which he posted a .286/.399/.451 (.850) slash line while climbing all the way to Triple-A.

      Since being selected fifth overall in the 2023 MLB Draft, the 21-year-old has dealt with a series of injuries. A hamstring strain cost him significant time in 2024, while an ankle sprain sidelined him for nearly two months in 2025. He also battled another hamstring issue during spring training this year.

      When healthy, Jenkins has consistently looked like one of baseball's premier prospects. If he returns from this latest injury and performs well at Triple-A, the possibility of a major-league debut later this season remains very much alive. At minimum, he appears poised to put himself in a position to contribute in Minnesota sometime during 2027.

      Mick Abel Closing In on Return to Rotation

      Abel's next step comes Saturday when he is scheduled to throw a light bullpen session following an impressive rehab outing earlier this week.

      Pitching for Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday, Abel tossed three scoreless innings, striking out five while allowing only two hits. Perhaps most encouraging was the quality of his stuff. His fastball averaged 96.3 mph and topped out at 97.9 mph, looking much like the weapon that helped him dominate before landing on the injured list.

      The Twins shut Abel down on April 20 because of inflammation in his right elbow. His recovery appeared to be nearing completion in early May before lingering soreness in his right triceps after a simulated bullpen session temporarily halted his progress. The setback eventually led to a cortisone injection and additional recovery time.

      Before the injury, Abel was pitching some of the best baseball of his young career. He had thrown 13 consecutive scoreless innings over his final two starts and looked increasingly comfortable against major-league hitters.

      His return would arrive at an ideal time for Minnesota. Bailey Ober remains sidelined with a right flexor strain, leaving the Twins scrambling to piece together a rotation. The club has relied on multiple bullpen games in recent weeks, with Joe Ryan, Taj Bradley, Connor Prielipp, and Zebby Matthews carrying the workload. If Abel continues progressing without issue, he could soon provide the stability Minnesota desperately needs in the fifth spot.

      Kendry Rojas Taking Another Step Forward

      Rojas is scheduled to face hitters in a live batting practice session Saturday in Fort Myers as he works his way back from left triceps inflammation. The 22-year-old has been sidelined since May 29.

      Few pitchers have exceeded expectations this season the way Rojas has. He quickly established himself as a valuable multi-inning weapon. In 14 1/3 innings, Rojas has posted a sparkling 1.26 ERA while striking out 14 hitters. He has also demonstrated the flexibility to help in multiple roles. Earlier this season, Rojas made a spot start against the Houston Astros and responded by throwing four scoreless innings at Target Field.

      That versatility has become increasingly important as injuries continue to pile up throughout Minnesota's pitching staff. Whether he returns as a long reliever, spot starter, or bulk innings option, Rojas would give the Twins another reliable arm capable of reducing the burden on an already stretched pitching corps.

      After weeks of discouraging injury news, Minnesota finally has reason for optimism. None of these returns is guaranteed to happen immediately, but the progress of Jenkins, Abel, and Rojas offers a reminder that help may finally be on the horizon.

       

      Cody Christie

      There was a brief moment of concern surrounding Mick Abel this week, but the Minnesota Twins appear to have avoided a worst-case scenario. When Abel experienced soreness following a bullpen session, the organization opted for caution, and the MRI results delivered encouraging news.

      “We felt like if we aggressively treat it, get him on some anti-inflammatories and play it safe on the front end, it’ll be something that will be relatively quick and short,” general manager Jeremy Zoll said. “We didn’t want to try to chase it and then make it potentially worse later by trying to prolong this.”

      That measured approach reflects both the Twins' current pitching depth and the importance of Abel to the organization’s long-term plans.

      Originally selected 15th overall by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2020, Abel arrived in Minnesota with plenty of intrigue. He was part of last summer’s headline-grabbing deal that sent Jhoan Duran to Philadelphia, with catching prospect Eduardo Tait also coming back in return. At the time, the move signaled a shift toward reshaping the Twins' pitching pipeline.

      Now 24 years old, Abel’s development path has not been perfectly linear. Once a staple on top 100 prospect lists, his stock dipped entering 2025 before rebounding in a big way. He reached the majors with Philadelphia and pitched well enough to reestablish himself as a meaningful trade asset.

      Abel did not enter spring training with a guaranteed role, but he forced the Twins’ hand with a dominant showing in the Grapefruit League. Across 22 innings, he posted a 2.05 ERA with a 32.9% strikeout rate and just a 4.9% walk rate, looking every bit like a pitcher ready to contribute at the major league level.

      The regular season has brought some ups and downs, which is to be expected for a young arm finding his footing. After being hit hard in his first two outings, Abel responded with authority. He delivered 13 consecutive shutout innings across starts against Detroit and Boston, compiling a 16-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio in the process.

      Through 20 1/3 innings, Abel owns a 3.98 ERA with a 24.7% strikeout rate and a 10% walk rate. Underlying metrics paint an even more encouraging picture. His 2.79 FIP suggests better days ahead, while a 3.93 SIERA reinforces the idea that he has been a steady contributor.

      For the Twins, the decision to pause rather than push reflects both confidence and caution. Elbow inflammation is not something to ignore, especially for a pitcher with Abel’s workload trajectory, but it is far from a devastating diagnosis.

      The focus now shifts to recovery and timing. If the inflammation responds well to treatment, Abel could return without missing significant time and continue building on what has been a promising start.

      In a season where pitching depth is already being tested, keeping Abel healthy matters. The early signs suggest the Twins have navigated this situation correctly, giving themselves a chance to have one of their most intriguing young arms back on the mound sooner rather than later.

      Cody Christie

      The Twins entered Monday hoping for positive news regarding Bailey Ober's injured right elbow. While losing one of their most dependable starters is never ideal, the update from general manager Jeremy Zoll suggested the organization may have avoided a much more serious situation.

      Ober was diagnosed with a mild right flexor strain after undergoing an MRI. The most encouraging aspect of the evaluation was that the ulnar collateral ligament graft from his previous Tommy John surgery remains fully intact.

      According to Zoll, Ober will be shut down from throwing for 10 to 14 days while receiving anti-inflammatory treatment before being reevaluated. The Twins are also seeking a second opinion from renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Keith Meister, but early indications have been positive.

      For a pitcher with a Tommy John history, any elbow discomfort immediately raises concerns about ligament damage. Instead, Minnesota appears to be dealing with a relatively minor flexor issue. While no timetable has been established for a return, Zoll's comments suggested the absence could be measured in weeks rather than months.

      The news does not eliminate the challenge facing Minnesota's rotation. Ober had been a stabilizing presence, consistently providing innings while helping bridge the gap between the club's younger arms and veteran starters. However, considering the range of possible outcomes, the Twins have reason to feel relieved.

      Mick Abel Continues His Climb Back

      Another important pitching update involved Abel, who has been sidelined with right elbow inflammation. Abel is scheduled to throw live batting practice on Thursday, which represents a significant step forward in his recovery. If that session goes well, he could begin a rehabilitation assignment shortly afterward.

      Even under an optimistic timeline, Abel still appears several weeks away from returning to the major league roster. He will likely need multiple rehab appearances before being considered game-ready. Still, after weeks of uncertainty, the fact that he is nearing competitive action is an encouraging development.

      Cole Sands Nearing Return to Bullpen

      The Twins could soon receive reinforcements in the bullpen. Sands is set to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul on Tuesday after missing more than a month with a right forearm strain. His return would provide a welcome boost to a relief corps that has spent much of the season searching for consistency.

      Although Sands posted a 4.63 ERA through his first 12 appearances this season, his value extends beyond the raw numbers. He has proven capable of handling leverage situations and was expected to play a prominent role in Minnesota's late-inning plans before the injury occurred.

      The Twins have shuffled bullpen roles throughout the season, making Sands' eventual return one of the more significant developments on the injury front.

      Ryan Jeffers Making Steady Progress

      Jeffers continues to move forward after surgery to repair a fractured hamate bone in his left wrist. More than a week removed from the procedure, Jeffers had his stitches removed over the weekend and has been pleased with how his recovery is progressing. He has already resumed throwing activities, an important early milestone.

      The next hurdle will be swinging a bat. Hamate injuries often pose challenges for hitters because regaining wrist strength and comfort can take time. Until Jeffers begins taking swings, it will remain difficult to project a realistic return date. For now, the early signs appear positive.

      David Festa Begins Throwing Program

      Festa remains the furthest away from returning, but he has officially started the next phase of his recovery. After receiving a stem-cell injection to address his shoulder issue, Festa spent three weeks completely shut down from throwing. On Monday, he began a structured throwing program that will include three weeks of flat-ground work before progressing back to mound sessions.

      The timeline underscores how much work remains before Festa can return to game action. Nevertheless, beginning a throwing program is an important step after an extended shutdown period.

      Injuries have tested the Twins' pitching depth throughout the season, but Monday's collection of updates offered more optimism than concern. Ober avoided a potentially devastating diagnosis, Sands is nearing a return, Abel is progressing toward rehab games, and both Jeffers and Festa continue moving through their recoveries.

      The encouraging news is that several important pieces appear to be moving in the right direction, giving the Twins hope that help could be arriving over the next few weeks.

      Cody Christie

      The Minnesota Twins continue to battle through injuries as the calendar pushes deeper into May. With the season past the quarter mark, staying healthy becomes even more important for a club trying to get closer to a .500 record.

      Some updates offered optimism this weekend, while others created additional uncertainty. Byron Buxton appears close to returning after progressing through baseball activities, but Taj Bradley’s rehab outing at Triple-A St. Paul raised more questions about his timeline. Minnesota also provided updates on several pitchers working their way back from arm injuries.

      Byron Buxton Progressing Toward Return

      Buxton continues to trend in the right direction after dealing with right hip flexor soreness. The Twins consider him day to day, and the recent updates suggest a return may not be far away. Buxton reportedly came through a workout on May 16 without issues and returned to on-field work before the game again on May 17. That is an encouraging sign considering how important he has been to Minnesota’s lineup this season.

      When healthy, Buxton changes the complexion of the roster. His defense in center field remains above-average, and his power production has helped stabilize the middle of the lineup. Minnesota has understandably taken a cautious approach because hip and lower body injuries can quickly become lingering concerns for a player whose game depends heavily on explosiveness. The fact that he continues to increase baseball activities is a positive development for the Twins moving forward.

      Taj Bradley’s Rehab Outing Raises Concerns

      Bradley remains on the 15-day injured list with right pectoralis muscle inflammation after being placed there retroactive to May 6. The Twins hoped Bradley would take a significant step forward during his rehab start with Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday. Instead, the outing ended much earlier than anticipated. Bradley failed to make it out of the second inning after throwing 31 pitches in the frame before being removed from the game.

      On Sunday’s episode of Inside Twins, general manager Jeremy Zoll explained that the organization wanted Bradley to complete roughly four innings while staying near 65 pitches. Because he was unable to reach those benchmarks, his timetable for returning to Minnesota remains unclear.

      That development is notable because the Twins have leaned heavily on their rotation early in the season. Bradley was expected to play a meaningful role for the pitching staff, but the club now appears likely to proceed carefully until he demonstrates he can handle a normal workload again.

      Cody Laweryson Takes Another Step Forward

      Laweryson continues progressing in his recovery from a right forearm strain that landed him on the injured list back on April 9. Laweryson made a rehab appearance with Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday and delivered a clean inning. He allowed no hits, walked one batter, and did not record a strikeout.

      For a pitcher returning from a forearm issue, simply getting through an outing healthy is often the biggest objective. The Twins will likely continue gradually increasing his workload before considering him for activation. According to Zoll, he is expected to make at least two more rehab appearances this week.

      Minnesota’s bullpen depth has been tested throughout the season, so getting another healthy arm back into the mix would provide needed reinforcement.

      Cole Sands Beginning Throwing Progression

      Sands remains sidelined with a mild right forearm strain after going on the injured list retroactive to April 29. The good news is that Sands resumed playing catch on May 12 and May 13 as the Twins began building him back up. At this stage, the organization appears focused on making sure he progresses slowly over the next week before advancing to more intense throwing sessions.

      Forearm injuries always create some level of concern for pitchers, which explains why Minnesota has emphasized patience with Sands. Before the injury, he had become an increasingly important option for the Twins in middle relief situations. If his throwing progression continues without setbacks, he could eventually begin mound work later this month.

      Mick Abel Receives Encouraging Evaluation

      One of the more encouraging updates involved Abel, who has been sidelined with right elbow inflammation since April 17. Abel was evaluated by noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. Keith Meister, who agreed with previous evaluations that the issue stems from posterior elbow impingement. Most importantly for the Twins, there were reportedly no concerns involving the forearm or the ulnar collateral ligament.

      That distinction matters significantly because UCL damage often carries the possibility of Tommy John surgery. Instead, Abel has already resumed light throwing and started playing catch on Wednesday. Minnesota can now focus on rebuilding his arm strength rather than worrying about a more serious structural issue.

      Injuries remain one of the defining storylines for the Twins during the opening months of the season. The organization received positive news regarding Byron Buxton and Mick Abel, while Taj Bradley’s shortened rehab outing introduced additional uncertainty to the pitching staff picture.

      As Minnesota attempts to stay competitive through the middle months of the season, getting healthy contributors back on the field could be a major factor in whether the club can gain momentum in the standings.

      Cody Christie

      Spring training optimism is built on bullpens, backfields, and best-case scenarios. Reality tends to show up somewhere between the trainer’s room and the long toss line. On Thursday, Minnesota got a dose of both hope and concern when head athletic trainer Nick Paparesta provided updates on three critical arms that could shape the trajectory of the pitching staff not just for this season but beyond.

      The biggest update came for Pablo Lopez, who underwent Tommy John surgery on Wednesday. Importantly, Lopez received the repair version of the procedure with an internal brace rather than a full ligament reconstruction. The repair process generally shortens recovery by 1 to 2 months, significantly altering his return timeline.

      If the 2027 season begins on schedule, Lopez should be tracking toward a return near the start of the year. That alone represents a meaningful win given the alternative. However, the looming possibility of a labor stoppage could further change the equation. Should a lockout delay Opening Day, Lopez might realistically be ready when games resume, allowing Minnesota to regain its ace without missing meaningful time.

      Meanwhile, Joe Ryan continues progressing after experiencing back tightness over the weekend while warming up for what would have been his first spring start. Ryan has resumed long toss and is scheduled to throw a bullpen session this coming weekend. That outing will serve as the next checkpoint in determining how his body responds before the Twins chart out a clearer ramp-up plan.

      There is also an international wrinkle. It remains undecided whether Ryan will participate in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, and how he rebounds from the bullpen session could factor heavily into that decision. Minnesota has long preached the importance of managing workloads early in the year, and this situation may force a more conservative approach.

      The most concerning news may belong to David Festa, who is being shut down for a couple of weeks due to a shoulder impingement. Festa received an injection in the shoulder, and the pause immediately puts the start of his season in jeopardy. Paparesta noted that the issue is unrelated to the thoracic outlet syndrome that ended Festa’s 2025 campaign, which is certainly encouraging, but the timing remains problematic.

      Minnesota has not publicly suggested any long-term role change, yet it is fair to wonder whether a move to the bullpen could ultimately be the best path forward for Festa. Shoulder concerns layered on top of last year’s thoracic outlet syndrome history make durability in a starting role increasingly difficult to project over a full-season workload.

      Taken together, these updates offer a snapshot of the balancing act that defines modern pitching staffs. Lopez provides optimism for the future. Ryan represents cautious day-to-day monitoring in the present. Festa embodies the uncertainty that often forces organizations to reconsider development plans on the fly. For a Twins club that has leaned heavily on its pitching depth in recent years, how each of these timelines unfolds could quietly determine how aggressive the front office needs to be before Opening Day and how sustainable the rotation will look once the games begin to matter.

      Cory Moen

      The Twins announced a set of roster moves, recalling LHP Kody Funderburk from Triple-A St. Paul and reinstating RHP Cody Laweryson from the 15-day injured list.

      In corresponding moves, LHP Kendry Rojas was placed on the 15-day injured list with elbow inflammation, and Travis Adams was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul.

      Funderburk has had mixed results this year, pitching in five games with St. Paul and throwing five innings, where he gave up five runs while recording seven strikeouts. Earlier in the year at the major league level, Funderburk threw 16 innings for the Twins, where he struck out 10 hitters, earned a save, and had a much better 2.81 ERA, but his underlying metrics weren't as stellar (5.44 FIP).

      Laweryson has thrown 6 1/3 innings prior to the injury, striking out eight hitters, with a 2.43 FIP and a 0.789 WHIP. It's a small sample size, but he could be someone who serves as a solid option out of a bullpen, looking for solutions in various areas.

      Rojas was scratched from his most recent start and is having an MRI, which will reveal how serious the elbow injury is.

      Adams has had mixed results this year, mostly as a multi-inning reliever, throwing 10 innings for the Twins, striking out 12, but has given up eight runs, and a 4.77 FIP in that small sample size. He will likely return to the majors when a fresh arm is needed in the future.

      Cody Christie

      The Minnesota Twins have spent much of the early portion of the 2026 season trying to survive wave after wave of pitching injuries. From key starters to important bullpen contributors, the organization has rarely had its preferred staff intact for more than a few days at a time.

      Tuesday finally brought some encouraging news. Both Taj Bradley and Cole Sands made progress in their recoveries, offering some hope that reinforcements may not be too far away for a pitching staff that desperately needs stability.

      Bradley, who landed on the injured list Saturday with right pectoralis muscle inflammation, resumed throwing and played catch out to 90 feet. The 25-year-old also sought a second opinion from noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. Keith Meister after an MRI came back clean. That clean MRI result was already an encouraging development. Seeing Bradley begin throwing again only adds to the optimism surrounding his recovery timeline.

      “He played catch up to 90 feet today,” Twins manager Derek Shelton said. “So I think from there we’ll make sure we appropriately put the program together.”

      The Twins can hardly afford to lose him for an extended period. Bradley has been nothing short of electric in his first season with Minnesota, posting a 2.87 ERA and 52 strikeouts across 47 innings through his first eight starts. More importantly, he has brought a level of swing-and-miss dominance that the Twins' rotation has largely lacked in recent years.

      His raw stuff has consistently jumped off the screen. Earlier this season against the Kansas City Royals, Bradley became the first Twins starting pitcher to hit 100 mph since pitch tracking began in 2008. That type of velocity is rare anywhere in baseball, but especially within Minnesota’s pitching history.

      While any pectoral injury raises concern for a pitcher, there is at least some precedent for optimism. Bradley dealt with a similar injury while pitching for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2024. That strain sidelined him for roughly a month before he returned to make 25 starts and throw 138 innings by season’s end.

      The Twins will likely proceed cautiously this time as well, especially considering how valuable Bradley has become to the rotation almost immediately after arriving in Minnesota.

      The encouraging updates did not stop there. Sands also took an important step forward Tuesday by throwing a bullpen session as he works his way back from a right forearm strain. Sands has been sidelined since late April and could soon progress to facing live hitters if everything continues moving in the right direction.

      Even though Sands’ traditional numbers do not immediately stand out, the Twins' bullpen has clearly missed him. The right-hander owns a 4.63 ERA in 11 2/3 innings this season, but some of the underlying metrics paint a more favorable picture. Sands has posted a solid strikeout rate while carrying a 3.65 SIERA, suggesting he has pitched better than his ERA indicates.

      His final appearance before going on the injured list may have offered a clue that something was physically wrong. Sands allowed two runs against Seattle on April 28 in an outing where his stuff appeared noticeably diminished.

      Perhaps most concerning was the drop in velocity. After averaging roughly 95 mph on his fastball in 2025, Sands sat closer to 93.1 mph this season before landing on the injured list. Any time a pitcher experiences declining velocity alongside forearm discomfort, alarms naturally go off. That is why simply getting back on a mound for a bullpen session qualifies as meaningful progress.

      The Twins currently have eight pitchers on the injured list, including starters Bradley, Mick Abel, David Festa, and Pablo López. That level of attrition would challenge any organization’s depth, even one that had eight or more starting pitchers on their depth chart to start the year.

      For now, there is still no official timetable for either Bradley or Sands to return. The Twins will almost certainly remain cautious, particularly with Bradley, given both his importance to the rotation and the nature of his injury.

      Still, after weeks of increasingly discouraging injury news, Tuesday finally gave the organization something it has not had much of lately: optimism. If Bradley can continue to progress without setbacks and Sands can build toward live batting practice soon, the Twins may finally begin to see light at the end of what has been a brutally difficult stretch for their pitching staff.

       

       

      Cory Moen

      The Twins have released RHP Cody Laweryson. He was designated for assignment on August 1 after the Twins needed room on the 40-man roster after acquiring A.J. Minter to bolster the bullpen.

      Laweryson made 15 appearances with the Twins this season, throwing 16 2/3 innings, recording 18 strikeouts and eight walks. He's recorded a 4.86 ERA and a slightly worse 5.08 FIP along with a 1.380 WHIP.  He made his major league debut in 2025 and was DFAed during the offseason. He was claimed by the Angels, but the Twins brought him back in mid-February.

      He has also made eight relief appearances with Triple-A St. Paul, throwing nine innings, with eight strikeouts and three walks.

      Laweryson will now look for his next opportunity, whether that be re-signing with the Twins or taking a new opportunity elsewhere.

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