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  • Minnesota Twins Free Agent & Trade Rumors, Notes, & Tidbits

    The latest Minnesota Twins free agent and trade rumors, along with notes and tidbits about the team.
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    Seth Stohs
    It was in September of 2020, the Scott Erickson and his girlfriend Rebecca Grossman (wife of a prominent LA surgeon) made the decision to grab a couple of drinks. Then they decided to race their matching Mercedes-Benz SUVs at speeds between 70 and 80 miles per hour. 
    Those decisions contributed to the deaths of Mark (11) and Jacob (8) Iskander. The boys were out walking with their mother and a younger sibling. Reports are that the mother grabbed the younger sibling and dove out of the way of Erickson's car. Grossman was driving the car that hit and killed the two boys. 
    In criminal court in 2024, Grossman was sentenced to 15 years to life for two counts of second-degree murder. 
    On Wednesday, a civil court, the jurors awarded the Iskander family $176 million. Not only were they negligent, but the jury said that both Erickson and Grossman acted with malice. That could lead to a punitive damages phase of the civil trial. And in that phase, they could be awarded significantly more than the $176 million from this phase. 
    That phase begins this week as well. 
    Seth Stohs
    The Jays have had their share of injuries and pitching issues. Jose Berrios recently had Tommy John surgery. Shane Bieber, Dylan Cease, Max Scherzer, and Bowden Francis are all on the Injured List. They have been in need of both starting and relief pitching. 
    In the last few days, Toronto has acquired Simeon Woods Richardson from the Twins for #OldFriend Cash Considerations. They also just signed Justin Topa who was released by the Twins last week. 
    Austin Voth had been pitching at Triple-A Buffalo most of this season. He recently came up to the big-league club and worked six innings over two games before they DFAd him and he chose free agency.
    Voth, who will turn 34 at the end of the month, was a fifth-round pick of the Washington Nationals out of the University of Washington. 
    He worked his way up the organizational ladder, and in 2018, he pitched in four games (12 1/3 innings) in the big leagues. He made eight starts (nine appearances) in 2019. He made 11 starts during the Covid-shortened 2020 season. In 2021, he was moved to the bullpen and pitched in 49 games. Midway through the 2022 season, he was DFAd by the Nationals and claimed by the Orioles. 
    In 2024, he spent the season with his hometown Mariners and posted a 3.59 ERA. 
    In 2025, he spent a season pitching for Chiba Lotte in Japan. 
    The Twins front office continues to work the edges of their 40-man roster. Since spring training, they have been very busy on the waiver wire and continuing to add minor-league free agents with big-league time. Some have worked. Others did not. In the offseason, they signed veterans like Liam Hendriks, Dan Altavilla, and Matt Bowman. All three are now with other organizations. The Twins were able to sign veterans like Drew Smith, Jon Brebbia. Smith remains in St. Paul, but Brebbia was let go. Luis Garcia was claimed. Zak Kent and Christian Roa were too.  
    Clearly Anthony Banda was going to make the team with his track record, and the Twins stood by him through early-season struggles. They brought back Cody Laweryson right as spring training started, and he made the opening day roster. With his unique release point, 97 mph fastball and intriguing sweeper, Justin Lawrence sure looks the part of big-league reliever. Garrett Acton looked good after the Twins claimed him, but he only worked in four games before being injured. 
    And if we thought the Joe Ryan for two bad months of Nelson Cruz was a great trade for the Twins from the Rays, well, Yoendrys Gomez for Cash Considerations is looking pretty good so far too. 
    Back to Austin Voth. He'll likely be used in different roles and different situations. He could be a spot starter (like Thursday night), an opener, a three-to-four innings guy twice per week, a traditional one-inning guy. Will he eventually get a shot with the Twins? Who knows?
    But the Twins absolutely should be frequently acquiring these types of players. If they can end the season with three of Banda, Laweryson, Lawrence, Acton and Gomez pitching well and in the plans for 2027, that's a Win. 
    Matthew Taylor
    The Minnesota Twins have traded right-handed pitcher Simeon Woods Richardson to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for cash considerations.
    The move comes just days after the Twins designated Woods Richardson for assignment following his emergency start on Saturday. In that outing, the right-hander allowed five runs in 2 2/3 innings, raising his season ERA to 7.74.
    Once Woods Richardson was designated for assignment, the Twins had the opportunity to trade him before placing him on outright waivers. Teams interested in acquiring him could jump the waiver line by working out a trade, and the Blue Jays were seemingly the only club willing to do so. As a result, Minnesota's return was limited to cash considerations.
    The trade marks a return to the organization where Woods Richardson first emerged a top pitching prospect. He was acquired by the Twins alongside Austin Martin from Toronto at the 2021 trade deadline in exchange for José Berríos.
    Over parts of five seasons with Minnesota, Woods Richardson logged 302 1/3 innings at the major-league level, posting a 4.76 ERA while making 62 appearances.
    What do you think of the move? Did the Twins make the right decision by moving on from Woods Richardson, or would you have preferred they hold onto him for additional depth?
    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.
     
    Cody Christie
    The Minnesota Twins received plenty of positive injury news on Monday as general manager Jeremy Zoll provided updates on several of the organization's top prospects before the opening game of the series against the Chicago White Sox.
    While the Twins continue to navigate injuries at the major league level, the organization appears closer to welcoming back several important minor league contributors. Some of the club's highest-upside prospects are progressing through their recoveries and could return to game action in the coming weeks.
    Walker Jenkins Nearing Return
    The most encouraging update involved Walker Jenkins, Twins Daily's top-ranked prospect, who continues to make strong progress after suffering a left shoulder AC joint sprain in early May.
    According to Zoll, Jenkins has been “progressing well” and is expected to face live pitching later this week. If everything goes according to plan, the talented outfielder could begin a rehabilitation assignment as soon as next week.
    Jenkins has already been hitting off pitching machines and participating in defensive work in the outfield, suggesting he is checking off important recovery milestones. A rehab assignment would represent a significant step toward returning to Triple-A St. Paul.
    Emmanuel Rodriguez Begins Recovery Process
    While Jenkins is moving toward a return, Rodriguez is just beginning his recovery journey. Rodriguez underwent surgery on May 20 to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb, an injury expected to sideline him for approximately six to eight weeks. The injury occurred when he slid head-first into first base, continuing an unfortunate history of thumb-related ailments.
    The timetable still gives Rodriguez a realistic chance to return during the second half of the season, but the Twins will undoubtedly take a cautious approach given his injury history. He likely would have already been called up to the Twins if he were healthy. Now, his big-league debut must wait until the season’s second half.
    Kendry Rojas Trending in the Right Direction
    One of the more encouraging updates involved rookie pitcher Kendry Rojas. After being scratched from a scheduled appearance last week and landing on the injured list with elbow inflammation, there was understandable concern about the severity of the issue. However, Zoll indicated that Rojas is already feeling "markedly better."
    The young left-hander could be cleared to resume throwing as soon as the middle of this week. If that happens, he may not require a lengthy buildup before returning to game action. That timeline could prove especially important given Bailey Ober's injury situation at the major league level. Rojas becomes eligible to return on June 10 and could emerge as an option to help fill innings in Minnesota's rotation.
    There would still be limitations. Rojas has not thrown more than 60 pitches in an outing with the Twins, meaning any starts would likely continue to resemble bullpen games rather than traditional outings. Even so, a quick recovery would be welcome news for both the player and the organization.
    Charlee Soto Set for Long-Awaited Return
    Few prospects have endured a longer road back than Soto. The right-hander has not appeared in a game for more than 13 months, but that drought is finally expected to end Wednesday when he makes a rehab appearance with Low-A Fort Myers.
    Soto's recovery has been marked by multiple setbacks. After making progress with his elbow issues, he developed wrist problems that further delayed his return. Recently, however, the momentum has shifted in a positive direction.
    He threw a one-inning live batting practice session last week, and everything reportedly went well. Now he is ready to take the next step and return to competitive action for the first time since last season. For a young pitcher whose development has been interrupted by injuries, simply getting back on the mound in a game environment represents an important milestone.
    Alan Roden Also Closing in on Rehab Assignment
    Roden appears to be on a similar timeline to Jenkins. Recovering from a right shoulder injury, Roden has resumed throwing to bases and could participate in live batting practice later this week. If those sessions go well, he, too, could begin a rehabilitation assignment sometime next week.
    Like Jenkins, Roden is progressing through the final stages of recovery and appears to be nearing a return to game action.
    The Twins are not completely healthy yet, but Monday's collection of updates offered plenty of reasons for optimism. Jenkins and Roden appear close to rehab assignments, Rojas may avoid an extended absence, Soto is finally preparing for his first game in over a year, and Rodriguez has already started the recovery process following surgery.
    For an organization that relies heavily on its prospect pipeline, getting these players back on the field will be critical as the season moves into the summer months and Minnesota evaluates both its future core and potential major league reinforcements.
    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.
    Cory Moen
    The Twins have acquired RHP Justin Lawrence from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for cash considerations. Basically, this means the Twins paid a little extra to jump the teams ahead of them on the waiver wire to ensure they would acquire Lawrence. 

    Lawrence has thrown 22 innings for the Pirates this year, and his results have been not great leading to the Pirates designating him for assignment on May 29. Over the 22 innings, Lawrence has 25 strikeouts, but has also given up 12 walks while surrending 20 runs (13 earned) in that time frame. 

    Lawrence throws three pitches, a sinker, a sweeper, and a four seam fastball, throwing primarily the sinker (42.2%) and sweeper (39.6%). 

    Lawrence will provide some depth in a bullpen that desperately needs it. The Twins are hoping his results can improve in a new situation. Last season, he looked much better out of the Pittsburgh bullpen, throwing 17.2 innings with 23 strikeouts and a 0.51 ERA and a 2.25 FIP. If he can get back to those type of results, he could earn some higher leverage spots in a bullpen that has struggled.
    Steve Drumwright
    The Minnesota Twins' dwindling pitching depth took another hit Sunday.
    The Twins placed right-handed starter Bailey Ober on the 15-day injured list with inflammation in his right elbow. Right-hander Mike Paredes had his contract selected from Triple-A St. Paul and will be making his MLB debut. Also, the Twins called up Travis Adams and optioned fellow right-handed reliever John Klein to St. Paul.
    Ober was tagged for eight runs in 4⅔ innings of Saturday's 10-9 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. He becomes the seventh Twins pitcher to go on the IL this season. Ober has been uneven this season, including giving up three homers Saturday and seven long balls in his last three starts. He has a 4.59 ERA with a 6.4% walk rate and 16.4% strikeout rate in his 12 starts this season, which includes a shutout.
    Paredes is an 18th-round draft choice in 2021 out of San Diego State and has pitched for Double-A Wichita and Triple-A St. Paul this season. Between the two stops, he has made 13 appearances, including 10 starts, and thrown 48⅔ innings, walking nine and striking out 54.
    Adams is making his third trip up from St. Paul this month after beginning the season on the 15-day injured list with a strained right triceps. Adams has appeared in seven games, throwing 10 innings with five walks and 12 strikeouts for a 7.20 ERA. The bullpen was in need of a fresh arm.
    Klein went two innings Saturday after being called up earlier in the day. He didn't allow a run, although he walked three and gave up a hit. Klein made his MLB debut this month and has now appeared in three games, allowing two runs in 4⅓ innings.
     
    05/31/26    Minnesota Twins placed RHP Bailey Ober on the 15-day injured list. Right elbow inflammation.
    05/31/26    Minnesota Twins selected the contract of RHP Mike Paredes from St. Paul Saints.
    05/31/26    Minnesota Twins recalled RHP Travis Adams from St. Paul Saints.
    05/31/26    Minnesota Twins optioned RHP John Klein to St. Paul Saints.
     
    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.
    Steve Drumwright
    The first Gabriel Gonzalez era was, as expected, brief. But it was also memorable.
    The Minnesota Twins on Monday sent Gonzalez, an outfielder, back to Triple-A St. Paul and activated infielder Tristan Gray from the paternity list.
    Gonzalez, Twins Daily's No. 10 prospect, played in just one of the three games he was active for in his first MLB call-up. He made his debut in Friday's 8-6 win over the Boston Red Sox, hitting fifth and going 1-for-2 with two walks. That included his first MLB hit.

    Gonzalez will certainly get another shot during this season, but for now heads back to St. Paul, where he has a .216/.294/.392 slash line with eight homers and 21 RBIs in 44 games this year.
    Gray has produced a slash line of .240/.301/.373 with three homers and 14 RBIs in 26 games.
     
    Cody Christie
    The Twins welcomed an important piece back to their rotation on Saturday, activating Taj Bradley from the 15-day injured list ahead of Minnesota’s matchup against the Boston Red Sox. Bradley is projected to start on Saturday after missing just over two weeks with a pectoral issue.
    To clear a roster spot, the Twins designated veteran reliever Luis Garcia for assignment, marking another abrupt stop in what has become a turbulent 2026 season for the longtime right-hander.
    Bradley’s IL move was backdated to May 6, allowing the Twins to bring him back after only a slightly extended minimum stay. The organization appeared to take a cautious approach with the injury from the start, and Bradley only needed one rehab outing with Triple-A St. Paul before being deemed ready to return.
    Outside of the brief injury interruption, Bradley has been one of the steadier arms in Minnesota’s rotation this season. Through eight starts covering 47 innings, the 25-year-old owns a 2.87 ERA while striking out 26.1% of opposing hitters. His walk rate sits at 8.5%, a touch higher than ideal, though still manageable considering the swing-and-miss ability he brings to the mound.
    Advanced metrics suggest some regression could eventually come, as Bradley’s 3.48 FIP points to a little help from an elevated 84.3% strand rate. Even so, the Twins have gladly taken the production. With injuries testing the club’s pitching depth throughout the first two months of the season, Bradley has helped stabilize a rotation that has rarely been at full strength.
    Meanwhile, Garcia’s tenure with the Twins may already be finished. Minnesota signed the 39-year-old to a minor league contract after he was cut loose by the New York Mets in April. The Twins selected his contract not long after, hoping the veteran could provide innings in a taxed bullpen, but the results never materialized.
    Across nine appearances with Minnesota, Garcia struggled to a 10.38 ERA over 8 2/3 innings. Combining his time with both the Mets and Twins this year, he posted a 9.00 ERA with six walks and six strikeouts in 15 total innings.
    Financially, the move carries little risk for Minnesota. Garcia signed a one-year, $1.75 million contract with New York during the offseason, leaving the Mets responsible for nearly all of the remaining salary. The Twins only owed him a prorated portion of the league minimum while he occupied a spot on the active roster.
    Given both his performance and contract situation, Garcia appears likely to clear waivers. If that happens, free agency would probably be more appealing than accepting an outright assignment to Triple-A.
    Now, he heads back into roster limbo once again as the Twins continue searching for stability behind a pitching staff that has already been forced to absorb plenty of turnover this season.
    Cody Christie
    Lesson for the kids: don’t slide headfirst into first base. No matter what Nick Punto tells you.
    The Minnesota Twins received discouraging news regarding top prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez after the outfielder’s lingering thumb issue was diagnosed as far more serious than initially believed. Rodriguez is expected to undergo surgery next week to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb.
    The injury traces back to May 1, when Rodriguez dove headfirst into first base during a game for Triple-A St. Paul. Early evaluations pointed to a strain, and there was optimism that the issue would resolve quickly enough for him to avoid a lengthy absence.
    Instead, the discomfort never fully disappeared. Even after the swelling began to improve, Rodriguez continued experiencing pain in the thumb. That prompted the Twins to conduct another MRI, which ultimately revealed the torn ligament that will now require surgery. The organization has not yet announced an official recovery timetable and likely won’t until after the procedure is completed.
    “There was a lot of swelling,” Twins general manager Jeremy Zoll said. “The experts were not able to see into the joint there on the initial set of images, and when he still had the pain persisting here, that hadn’t fully dissipated, that’s what led to the follow-up images and updated diagnosis.”
    Before the injury, Rodriguez was doing exactly what the Twins hoped to see at Triple-A. In 25 games with St. Paul, he slashed .247/.417/.506 (.923) with six home runs and 18 RBIs while continuing to show the elite plate discipline that has made him one of the most intriguing prospects in baseball.
    That production only makes this setback more frustrating. Twins Daily ranked Rodriguez as the organization’s third-best prospect entering the season, and he continues to sit comfortably inside most national top-100 prospect lists. The talent has never been questioned. Staying on the field has been the challenge.
    Since beginning his professional career in 2021, Rodriguez has yet to appear in more than 99 games during a single season and is averaging just 59 games per year. That reality is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
    Over the last four years alone, Rodriguez has battled injuries involving both thumbs, his right hip, oblique, abdomen, and left knee. The Twins and Rodriguez spent part of the offseason proactively addressing those concerns, with the outfielder working in the Dominican Republic before heading to Tampa for specialized training with an athletic trainer.
    Unfortunately, baseball development is rarely linear, especially for prospects whose bodies keep betraying them. The Twins still believe Rodriguez has impact bat potential at the major league level. When healthy, he combines power, patience, and athleticism in a way few prospects in the organization can match. But every missed month delays that timeline and creates more questions about how sustainable his future role can be.
    For now, the focus shifts from development to recovery once again.
    Steve Drumwright
    In addition to the major news of former first-round pick Royce Lewis being sent to Triple-A St. Paul, the Minnesota Twins made more than a handful of other moves Tuesday ahead of the second game of the series against the Houston Astros. The most noteworthy of those moves is catcher Ryan Jeffers going on the 10-day injured list with a broken left hamate bone, which could sideline him anywhere from one to two months.
    Here is the complete list of moves:
    Optioned third baseman Royce Lewis to the Triple-A St. Paul Saints. Placed catcher Ryan Jeffers on the 10-day injured list with a left hamate bone fracture. Designated right-handed reliever Justin Topa for assignment. Selected the contract of catcher Alex Jackson from the Triple-A St. Paul Saints. Selected the contract of shortstop Orlando Arcia from the Triple-A St. Paul Saints. Recalled right-handed reliever Travis Adams from the Triple-A St. Paul Saints. Transferred right-handed reliever Garrett Acton (strained right shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list. In other words, Lewis, Jeffers and Topa off the Twins' 26-man roster, with Arcia, Jackson and Adams now on the 26-man roster. Acton was moved to the 60-day IL to make room on the 40-man roster. There does appear to be one more 40-man move coming as FanGraphs lists the Twins with 41 players on the 40.
     
     
    Cody Christie
    The Minnesota Twins earned a 6-3 victory over the Houston Astros on Monday night, but the win came with an unsettling development behind the plate. Catcher Ryan Jeffers exited the game late after suffering what the club is calling a left wrist sprain.
    Jeffers will undergo an MRI on Tuesday morning after leaving during the middle of an at-bat in the eighth inning. The injury occurred after he fouled off the first pitch from Astros reliever AJ Blubaugh and shattered his bat. Jeffers initially stayed in the box and took two pitches for balls before calling timeout and signaling that something was wrong.
    “I was kind of going through the mental battle of whether I could swing or not, and then made the decision,” Jeffers said after the game. “We’ll know more tomorrow.”
    Manager Derek Shelton and athletic trainer Masa Abe came out to check on Jeffers before he walked off the field and headed to the clubhouse. Veteran catcher Victor Caratini entered as a pinch hitter and remained in the game behind the plate.
    The timing could not be worse for the Twins because Jeffers has been playing the best baseball of his career. He finished Monday’s game 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored, continuing a scorching start to the season. Through his first stretch of games in 2026, Jeffers is slashing .295/.408/.541 with seven home runs and 26 RBIs while emerging as one of the most productive offensive catchers in baseball.
    For a Twins lineup that has dealt with inconsistency throughout the year, Jeffers has been one of the few dependable middle-of-the-order bats. His combination of patience, power, and quality contact has elevated his value significantly as he approaches free agency following the season.
    If the MRI reveals a more serious injury, Minnesota may need to make a roster move quickly. Jeffers and Caratini are currently the only catchers on the Twins’ 40-man roster, leaving the organization thin on immediate depth.
    That situation would likely open the door for Alex Jackson to return to the major leagues. The veteran backstop has quietly put together a strong offensive season at Triple-A St. Paul, hitting .239/.295/.511 (.806) with notable power production across 95 plate appearances.
    The Twins can survive injuries at several positions because of their organizational depth, but catcher is not one of them. Losing Jeffers for any extended period would remove one of the club’s best hitters and force Minnesota to rely heavily on Caratini while searching for additional help.
    For now, the organization and its fans will wait for Tuesday’s MRI results, hoping that one awkward swing did not sideline one of the most important players in Minnesota’s lineup.
     
    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.
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