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Minnesota Twins

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Mick Abel Mick Abel Makes season debut in relief Sun, Mar 29, 2026, 6:19 PM Abel (0-1) was the pitcher of record in Sunday's 8-6 loss to the Orioles after allowing five earned runs on eight hits and four walks while striking out four batters over 3.1 innings of relief. Analysis: Manager Derek Shelton told Matthew Leach of MLB.com on March 20 that Abel would be part of the Twins' season-opening rotation, but the 24-year-old will have to wait a little bit to make his first start. Due to a pair of early off days, the Twins are able to temporarily get by with a four-man rotation, so Abel was available in the bullpen for the season-opening series with the Orioles and ended up making in 2026 debut Sunday with starter Bailey Ober getting chased after four innings. Abel lacked control and was hit hard in the relief outing, which will likely give fantasy managers some pause about including him in lineups once his turn in the rotation comes up. The right-hander tentatively lines up to make his first start during next weekend's home series versus the Rays.
Drew Smith Drew Smith Lands MiLB deal with Minnesota Sun, Mar 29, 2026, 6:07 PM Smith signed a minor-league contract with Minnesota on Sunday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports. Analysis: The 32-year-old righty owns a 3.48 ERA and 1.28 WHIP over 192 career appearances in the majors, but after missing the entire 2025 season while recovering from his second Tommy John surgery, he had to settle for a minor-league deal with the Nationals in free agency this winter. Smith was released after he was unable to win a spot in Washington's season-opening bullpen, but he quickly found work in a new organization. He's expected to report to Triple-A St. Paul and could be in the mix for a call-up quickly if he shows that he's regained his pre-surgery velocity and command.
John Brebbia John Brebbia Lands MiLB deal with Minnesota Sun, Mar 29, 2026, 6:05 PM Brebbia signed a minor-league contract with Minnesota on Sunday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Brebbia will report to Triple-A St. Paul, but given the unsettled state Minnesota bullpen, he may not have to wait long to get a look in the majors. Cut by the Rockies coming out of spring training, Brebbia, 35, owns a 4.04 ERA and 1.24 WHIP over 378.1 career innings in the majors across stops with St. Louis, San Francisco, the White Sox, Atlanta and Detroit.
Bailey Ober Bailey Ober Goes four innings in no-decision Sun, Mar 29, 2026, 4:26 PM Ober did not factor into the decision Sunday against Baltimore, allowing three runs on four hits and a walk across four innings. He struck out one. Analysis: Ober kept the Orioles off the board for three innings before Tyler O'Neill cut Minnesota's lead to 4-3 with a three-run homer in the fourth. The 30-year-old Ober's fastball velocity remains a concern - it averaged just 89.8 MPH Sunday after sitting at 90.3 last season. Ober struggled overall in 2025, posting a 5.10 ERA with a 1.30 WHIP and 120 strikeouts across 27 starts (146.1 innings).
David Festa David Festa Not yet throwing off mound Sun, Mar 29, 2026, 11:52 AM Festa (shoulder) is about two weeks from beginning to pitch off a mound, Twins General Manager Jeremy Zoll told the Minnesota Star Tribune. Analysis: Festa recently resumed a throwing program after being shut down in late February due to a right shoulder impingement. However it sounds like he'll need several weeks before he can begin a minor-league rehab assignment. Festa was already coming back from thoracic outlet syndrome, which he dealt with last September, so expect the Twins to be cautious with his return.
Kendry Rojas Kendry Rojas Working back from hamstring strain Sun, Mar 29, 2026, 11:47 AM Rojas (hamstring) is scheduled to face hitters in simulated at-bats March 31, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports. Analysis: Rojas has started the minor-league season on the Triple-A injured list with a right hamstring strain. The 23-year-old southpaw was acquired from Toronto at the deadline in the Louis Varland deal.
Austin Martin Austin Martin Out against righty again Sun, Mar 29, 2026, 10:13 AM Martin is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports. Analysis: After manning left field and occupying the leadoff spot in the Twins' season opener Thursday against Orioles southpaw Trevor Rogers, the right-handed-hitting Martin has dropped out of the lineup for two straight games while Minnesota has faced right-handed starters. At least in the early stages of the campaign, Martin looks like he may have to settle for the short side of a platoon in the corner outfield with Trevor Larnach or Matt Wallner.
Kody Clemens Kody Clemens Second straight start vs. RHP Sun, Mar 29, 2026, 10:07 AM Clemens will start at first base and bat leadoff in Sunday's game against the Orioles, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports. Analysis: After taking a seat against lefty Trevor Rogers in Thursday's season opener, the left-handed-hitting Clemens has now handled the leadoff role in two straight contests, with the Twins facing righties on both occasions. At least for the early part of the season, Clemens looks set to occupy the strong side of a platoon at first base with either Josh Bell or Victor Caratini.
Ryan Jeffers Ryan Jeffers Receiving breather Sunday Sun, Mar 29, 2026, 9:48 AM Jeffers is out of the lineup for Sunday's game at Baltimore, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Jeffers started behind the plate in the first two games of the year and went 1-for-7 with a walk and three strikeouts. He'll get some rest in the series finale while Victor Caratini serves as the catcher for Bailey Ober on Sunday.
Brooks Lee Brooks Lee Not in Sunday's lineup Sun, Mar 29, 2026, 9:46 AM Lee is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Lee has gone 0-for-6 with three strikeouts in the first two games of the season and will head to the bench for the series finale in Baltimore. Tristan Gray will take over at shortstop Sunday for the Twins.
Royce Lewis Royce Lewis Goes deep in Saturday's win Sat, Mar 28, 2026, 7:12 PM Lewis went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and a walk in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Orioles. Analysis: Lewis hit eighth in the order for the second straight game to open the season, but he provided the big hit for the Twins, driving a Kyle Bradish sinker over the left-field wall to give Minnesota a 3-1 lead in the fifth inning. Through two games, Lewis is 1-for-5 at the plate with the home run and walk.
Cole Sands Cole Sands Converts first save opportunity Sat, Mar 28, 2026, 7:06 PM Sands walked one and struck out two over a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Orioles. Analysis: The Twins' closer competition was one to watch during spring training, and manager Derek Shelton called on Sands in the ninth inning for Minnesota's first save opportunity. The situation will likely remain fluid, but Sands appears to be the preferred choice out of the gates to begin the 2026 season.
Taj Bradley Taj Bradley Strikes out nine over 4.1 innings Sat, Mar 28, 2026, 6:58 PM Bradley allowed one run on three hits and three walks across 4.1 innings in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Orioles. He struck out nine. Analysis: Bradley won a spot in the Twins' rotation over the spring and continued racking up the strikeouts against Baltimore. His fastball remained up compared to 2025, as he averaged 97.4 mph in Saturday's outing compared to 96.2 mph from a season ago. However, walks remained an issue, contributing to Bradley being unable to get deep enough into the game to factor into the decision. Bradley's next start should line up for Friday's home opener against Bradley's former Rays teammates.
Taylor Rogers Taylor Rogers Used in eighth inning Thu, Mar 26, 2026, 10:06 PM Rogers allowed one hit while striking out one over a scoreless inning in Thursday's 2-1 loss against Baltimore. Analysis: Rogers was used in the eighth inning in a game the Twins were trailing 2-1. It was a high-leverage situation but Cole Sands was warming up in case the Twins tied the game or had a lead. Rogers may still figure into the closer mix, but manager Derek Shelton has said he's still figuring out his bullpen and roles will be determined by performance early in the season.
Austin Martin Austin Martin Bats leadoff Thu, Mar 26, 2026, 9:56 PM Martin went 1-for-3 with a stolen base in Thursday's loss against the Orioles. He started in left field and batted leadoff. Analysis: It looks like Martin will bat leadoff against left-handed starters as he platoons in left field with James Outman or Trevor Larnach. Martin did make a mental error by throwing to the wrong base which led to a run, so he could be in the manger's doghouse in the short term.
Justin Topa Justin Topa Gives up run in season opener Thu, Mar 26, 2026, 9:50 PM Topa allowed one run on two hits with no walks or strikeouts over one inning in Thursday's 2-1 loss against the Orioles. Analysis: Topa was used in the seventh inning in a tied game in his first appearance. While he could be used in late-inning save situations at some point, his first usage of the season wouldn't seem to indicate he's at the top of the mix for save opportunities.
Royce Lewis Royce Lewis Hits 8th in order, lifted for PH Thu, Mar 26, 2026, 9:48 PM Lewis hit eighth in the batting order and went 0-for-2 and grounded into a double play in Thursday's 2-1 loss against Baltimore. He was also hit by a pitch. He was lifted for a pinch hitter in the ninth inning with the tying run on base. Analysis: Lewis struggled during spring training by hitting .133 (6 for 45) with two home runs and a .449 OPS. Lewis was once thought to be a future star who would hit in the heart of the order, but new manager Derek Shelton moved him lower in the lineup and didn't trust him in a key spot in the ninth inning. It shows that Lewis has a ways to go to get back to his promising 2023 season.
Victor Caratini Victor Caratini Gets start at first base Thu, Mar 26, 2026, 9:39 PM Caratini started at first base and went 1-for-3 in Thursday's 2-1 loss against the Orioles. Analysis: It looks like Caratini could be Minnesota's starting first baseman against left-handed pitchers. At the least, it shows new manager Derek Shelton isn't afraid to use both Caratini and Ryan Jeffers in the same lineup. Caratini may get more playing time than expected in the backup catcher role.
Joe Ryan Joe Ryan Stuck with no-decision Thu, Mar 26, 2026, 6:45 PM Ryan did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Orioles, allowing one hit and two walks across 5.1 scoreless innings. He struck out seven. Analysis: Ryan was excellent in his second Opening Day start, but the Twins failed to get anything going offensively against Trevor Rogers, leaving the right-hander with a no-decision in an eventual 2-1 defeat. Ryan made 30 starts last season, posting a 3.42 ERA with a 1.04 WHIP and 194:39 K:BB across 171 innings. He'll hope for more support in his next outing, currently slated to come next week in Kansas City.
Cole Sands Cole Sands Twins still undecided on closer Wed, Mar 25, 2026, 10:03 PM Sands will have a prominent role in high-leverage situations in the Minnesota bullpen, but manager Derek Shelton said he'll figure out who will close games as the season progresses, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports. "It's going to be a little bit of a meritocracy. Guys are going to pitch themselves in or out of certain roles. We have to monitor that as the season starts," said Shelton. Analysis: The Twins closer situation remains a mystery even after spring training concluded, but Sands may get the first chance to close games as the most prominent right-handed pitcher in the bullpen. However, Taylor Rogers and Justin Topa will likely also figure into the mix.