John Bonnes

Image courtesy of © Jonah Hinebaugh/Naples Daily News/USA Today Network-Florida / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images FORT MYERS - The Twins kicked off their spring training Grapefruit League season with a home opener against the crosstown rival Red Sox. Besides the disconcerting news about Joe Ryan's scratched start, here are some other things the nearly 8000 fans at Hammond saw: Royce’s Work Paying Off In the first inning, Royce Lewis made a nice play on a bouncing ball up the third base line, reminding everyone that, despite his offensive struggles last year, he at least put to rest some concerns about his defense at third base. Then, in the fifth inning, his throw to first base was wild and resulted in an error. This last week on Twins Daily’s Live show from Fort Myers, I was asked if it was possible that Royce Lewis would grade out as the second-best defender on the Twins this year, behind only Byron Buxton. I don’t think that’s unlikely at all. That’s partly damning of the Twins' overall defensive level, but I also think that the work he put in last year paid off and will continue to do so. The work he put in this latest offseason around his swing looks like it might pay off, too. He drilled a 96-mph fastball from southpaw Payton Tolle into left-center field to give the Twins a 1-0 lead in his first at-bat. Simeon’s Splitter Simeon Woods Richardson finished the year with a 4.04 ERA over 23 starts, his second year of providing solid production in the rotation. But while he clearly tired late in the season in 2024, he finished the 2025 season with a 2.33 ERA in September. This coincided with him leaning into his splitter more. It looks like he plans to do the same this season. View full article

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Image courtesy of © Jeff Curry-Imagn Images FORT MYERS—There are spring training games that invite a little extra, lineup-driven pageantry, and the first Grapefruit League game on Saturday afternoon is one of them. It’s not uncommon to see most of the likely Opening Day roster, in front of an amped-up ballpark and a Twins.TV audience. So, it should come as no surprise that we learned Joe Ryan will take the mound that day. Ryan was one of the few steady pillars of the Twins’ 2025 season, earning an All-Star nod and finishing with a 13-10 record, a 3.42 ERA, 171 innings, and 194 strikeouts (with a 1.04 WHIP), while also being the subject of trade rumors even into the offseason. For a 2026 club that will rely on its rotation, he’s the clear remaining ace-like pitcher on the roster. Go Gophers! Go Zebby! Saturday is the first Grapefruit League game, but the Twins’ first game of the year comes Friday against the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers, and it’s also on Twins.TV. It’s scheduled as a seven-inning exhibition, so tune in early (5:05 p.m. CT) You’ll see Zebby Matthews on the mound. He was the talk of spring training last year at this time, thanks to some newfound velocity. But his 2025 results (5.56 ERA) didn’t live up to the excitement. When manager Rocco Baldelli was asked about Matthews’s struggles last year, he kept coming back to the same word: consistency. In camp yesterday, Matthews talked about that, too — while also acknowledging he still has only about a year of big-league experience, and that the success can come with time. View full article

Spring training has a funny way of rewarding the prepared. I’m not suggesting you pack your Type A personality on your trip to Fort Myers, but you also don’t want to miss the big stuff. Like eating. Or finding shade. Or seeing your favorite ballplayers up close. That’s why Twins Daily created our Ultimate Minnesota Twins Spring Training Guide, and that’s why we just updated it. Consider it your 2026-ready field manual—tightened, refreshed, and upgraded with the stuff you only learn by being there, because we want you to love Twins spring training as much as we do. The biggest change is that we leaned into specifics for the 2026 season. No more needing to Google when the Hammond Stadium Open House or “Minnesota Day” is: you’ve got the specifics. Also, since 2026 includes the World Baseball Classic, we’ve provided additional tips on the best time to visit. We still have other activities you can do in Fort Myers, besides attending Twins games, and we now have additional tips on baseball-related activities when the Twins are out of town, including which road games are the easiest trips. But maybe even better, we’ve added tips about the best ways to watch your favorite players when they aren’t on the road trips. Of course, that also means updating our favorite restaurants and haunts away from the ballpark, especially in downtown Fort Myers, which is experiencing a bit of a revival. Since many of our readers are craft beer lovers, we are also keeping tabs on our favorite breweries, including the release of a new Twins D-Ale-y Pale Ale and “Beers with Beat Writers” event at Palm City Brewing on February 27th. Best of all, the updates won’t stop today. Like our favorite baseball team, we’re committed to improving over the next few weeks. So check back often and leave your comments so we can get into Major League shape. See you in Fort Myers. Check out the Ultimate Spring Training Guide! View full article

Image courtesy of © Denny Medley-Imagn Images On Finding Success “When you’re healthy, a lot of things start to come your way.” - Byron Buxton, reflecting on the steps he has taken over the last two years that have resulted in him playing for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. “24 was rough… I forgot that I had the power to say no…” - Mick Abel, who took big steps forward in 2025 after struggling with his control in 2024. He was candid about last year's improvement being mostly mental, and how simplifying freed him up mechanically and mentally. “I wanted to quit so many times [hitting] right-handed, even in pro ball…” - Brooks Lee about how surprising it’s been that his right-handed swing found more success than his left-handed swing last year. On The New Coaching Staff View full article

Image courtesy of © Matt Blewett-Imagn Images We’re still a week from Grapefruit League games, but that’s not too early to start talking about what we want to watch. Any value in watching spring training games isn’t in looking at players’ stats. Partly, that’s because it’s just such a small sample size. But on top of that, players are testing out new pitches and swings, which can produce results that will never make it into an actual game. No, if there is any value, it’s in looking at what players or coaches are trying to do, and reacting to success or failure. For instance: Brooks Lee’s Lateral Movement Brooks Lee spent the offseason working on two things, and one of them was getting more explosive lateral movement as a shortstop. “It's kind of like an obvious thing,” said Lee when asked about his offseason focus. “You know, balls hit to me, I'll make the play, but it's the ones I don't get to.” Lee’s range and whether he can handle the defensive workload of a shortstop are major questions for the Twins. So watch how often he gets to balls “in the hole” to his right, or on the other side of second base to his left. Brooks Lee’s Left-handed Opposite Field Swing The second thing he worked on was his left-handed swing, specifically hitting the ball to the opposite field. Coming up through the minors, Lee’s strong side was hitting for a high average, especially left-handed. Instead, last year he hit better (.266 BA) right-handed than left-handed (.220). View full article

Image courtesy of © Mike Watters-Imagn Images FORT MYERS—There’s a festivity to the day that pitchers and catchers report. It’s not just empty romanticism. The vast majority of the people who have dedicated their lives’ labor to baseball—players, coaches, staff, and yes, even beat writers—love the game, and its return lifts spirits. But it’s also an opportunity to set a tone. The tone new Twins manager Derek Shelton wanted to set was one of intentionality—specifically, intentionally doing the little things, because he’s seen them matter in the biggest moments. He demonstrated that to his players. “Shelton mainly focused on two plays that happened in the playoffs this past year: [pitching defensive plays] that didn’t get done,” pitcher Bailey Ober said when asked about Shelton’s message to the pitchers. “Basically said this can decide games. Here's two examples, on the highest stakes. We’re going to treat Day One and the days going forward like that’s what’s on the line when we’re out there getting outs and fielding our position.” If that sounds old-school, well, that was certainly part of the inspiration. “I had a very strong conversation with a guy whose number is retired at my press conference," said Shelton when asked why he chose to emphasize it on the first day. "It really impacted me. I’m talking about TK [former Twins manager Tom Kelly]. Making sure it was highlighted from the first meeting, the first conversation, the first practice—yeah, I think that kind of took me over the edge. Honestly, I’d be crazy not to take advice that was passionate and heartfelt from someone who loves the Twins, so I kind of took it to heart.” Shelton doesn’t come across as a fire-and-brimstone type. He’s more friendly uncle than drill sergeant. But he also has enough experience to know that over these next few weeks, he has a chance that may not come again: to establish a culture that can lead to success. “I think overall the way we want our culture to be set up—the intentionality—which goes back to the point of how we go about our work,” Shelton said. It’s clear he, at least, is being intentional about this opportunity and his work. New Bullpen Pieces All season long—really, since last season's trade deadline—fans have wondered what the Twins would do to supplement their bullpen. Over the last two days, the Twins have added two experienced veterans to their bullpen picture. On Wednesday, they signed Liam Hendriks, a former All-Star closer coming back from elbow issues, to a minor-league contract. He should arrive in a couple of days, and the Twins say he’s healthy and ready to go. “Everything’s been positive,” Shelton said. “He’s healthy, and he’s in a situation where he’s coming into camp to compete.” Hendriks is also part of Australia’s World Baseball Classic team. They also made a trade Thursday for veteran left-handed reliever Anthony Banda. He likely slots in as the second left-hander in the Twins bullpen, behind Taylor Rogers but ahead of Kody Funderburk. To make room for Banda, the Twins designated Jackson Kowar for assignment. Kowar spoke Thursday morning about how much he liked the situation in camp, especially because his spring-training locker sat next to Ober’s, a friend dating back to high school. Now, the Twins hope he’ll clear waivers and remain in the organization, giving them a chance to see whether a second year removed from Tommy John surgery helps him rediscover the feel for his changeup. Mick Abel’s Control Pitcher Mick Abel, whom the Twins acquired at last year’s trade deadline as part of the Jhoan Duran deal, reestablished himself as a prospect by tackling his biggest issue: command. In 2024, his walk rate was an ugly 5.2 BB/9. Last year, he cut that to 3.7—still a bit high, but playable with his electric stuff. As a result, his ERA dropped from 4.13 to 2.20 over the same span. So what adjustments did he make? Abel insists it was more about the adjustments he didn’t make. “I think a lot of it was confidence-based,” he said. “They just kind of let me loose, and they’re like, ‘Hey, do whatever you need to do. We’re not going to do anything mechanical. We’re not going to do anything with pitches.’ And being able to go through a full offseason of work and not having to think about where my arm is at in my arm motion—I’m like, ‘All right, screw that.’ That’s very gracious. Let me do that, and it’s how it should be.” His plan this year is similar. If he can consistently pitch like he did late last season, including a final start in which he threw six scoreless innings and struck out nine against those same Phillies. there’s at least one rotation spot in camp that is legitimately up for grabs. If You're Here.... If you're lucky and/or smart enough to be attending spring training, one of the Twins' better events is coming up on Monday. On President's Day every year, the Twins open up Hammond Stadium for fans the same day that the hitters show up for spring training. There is a health fair (i.e a chance to get a lot of swag), but it's also a chance to watch the team up close. Kids can play in the outfield in the afternoon. This year, the healthcare fair has a new offering: free EKGs for kids, because Florida now requires them for kids playing athletics. Of course, if you have read Twins Daily's Ultimate Spring Traiing Guide, you already know all about this, as well as the best time to visit, how to interact with the players, and the best breweries in town. Hope to see you here soon. View full article

FORT MYERS—Four little words make our hearts soar: Pitchers and catchers report We took last year's gut punch, but come back for more. Pitchers and catchers report The fire sale came; we watched stars depart Felt like someone was stealing our heart But hope’s a disease, and we'll do our part Pitchers and catchers report Debt was reduced, papers were filed Pitchers and catchers report New partners joined (The guy from the Wild?!) Pitchers and catchers report Minority owners now in the mix A new set of suits with their “synergies” tricks We’ll take it, if somehow this lineup they'll fix Pitchers and catchers report They added some bats, the offense to pump Pitchers and catchers report Caratini to catch, Josh Bell adds some thump Pitchers and catchers report Rogers returned, four years gone, now he's back We hope that his left arm has not lost its knack Now get us the closer we somehow still lack. Pitchers and catchers report Joe's out, Tom's in the Executive Chair Pitchers and catchers report Then the BIG change: “Mutual,” they swear Pitchers and catchers report Falvey walks out as the waters get rough "Relentless" Tom chants, as if that's enough Now prove it and fund a 'pen that's not fluff. Pitchers and catchers report Finally, you take your turn as poet Pitchers and catchers report Channel your winter frustration and show it Pitchers and catchers report The comments below are a great place to bleat Two tens and three ‘levens provide you the beat (But add words wherever, if, like me, you cheat). Pitchers and catchers report View full article

You can listen by downloading us from iTunes, Spotify, YouTube, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, GleemanAndTheGeek.com, click this link or you can listen to it or watch it below. View full article

You can listen by downloading us from iTunes, Spotify, YouTube, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, GleemanAndTheGeek.com, click this link or you can listen to it or watch it below. View full article

You can listen by downloading us from iTunes, Spotify, YouTube, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, GleemanAndTheGeek.com, click this link or you can listen to it or watch it below. View full article