Minnesota Twins - NFBC | High Stakes Fantasy Baseball

Minnesota Twins

NFC | High Stakes Fantasy Sports

News
Kody Clemens Kody Clemens Set up as primary first baseman Wed, Nov 26, 2025, 10:26 AM Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey has indicated that Clemens is in line to be the team's primary first baseman next season, Aaron Gleeman and Dan Hayes of The Athletic report. Analysis: Clemens was traded to the Twins in late April and went on to slash .216/.284/.442 with 19 home runs over 112 contests. He split most of his reps between first base (47 starts) and second base (34 starts) during his time in Minnesota but also saw some action in the outfield (12 starts). Clemens is just a .206/.263/.403 career hitter and will turn 30 in May, but he took significant strides in his batted-ball metrics in 2025, sporting a 48.3 percent hard-hit rate and 12 percent barrel rate. Fellow left-handed hitter Edouard Julien is likely Clemens' primary competition for the first base job against righties, and neither player has minor-league options remaining.
DaShawn Keirsey Jr. DaShawn Keirsey Jr. Jettisoned from 40-man roster Fri, Nov 21, 2025, 8:50 AM The Twins designated Keirsey for assignment Friday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports. Analysis: The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for Alex Jackson, who was acquired via trade. Keirsey has managed just a .113/.149/.206 batting line across 102 plate appearances at the major-league level and will now go through the waivers process.
Justin Topa Justin Topa Avoids arbitration with Twins Fri, Nov 21, 2025, 8:48 AM The Twins and Topa avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract Friday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Darren Wolfson of Channel 5 Saint Paul says the deal is worth $1.225 million. Topa had been viewed as a non-tender candidate, but he will stick around and could be a high-leverage reliever again on Twins team unlikely to make any big offseason bullpen additions. The righty held a 3.90 ERA and 49:18 K:BB over 60 innings in 2025, posting a 46.7 percent groundball rate along the way.
Alex Jackson Alex Jackson Shipped to Minnesota Fri, Nov 21, 2025, 8:26 AM The Twins acquired Jackson from the Orioles on Friday in exchange for Payton Eeles, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports. Analysis: Jackson was on the non-tender bubble for the Orioles, so instead of cutting him loose, Baltimore was able to get a prospect for him. The 29-year-old catcher is a career .153/.239/.288 hitter over parts of six big-league seasons. Jackson could open next season as the Twins' backup catcher behind Ryan Jeffers.
Eric Orze Eric Orze Moved to Minnesota Tue, Nov 18, 2025, 7:03 PM Tampa Bay traded Orze to the Twins on Tuesday for minor-league pitcher Jacob Kisting, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: Orze looked pretty good in his first extended run in the majors last season, posting a 3.02 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 40:19 K:BB over 41.2 innings across 33 appearances. He also picked up three saves and a hold. However, he spent most of the second half of the campaign in the minors after stumbling with the Rays in late June and early July. Orze has a good chance of earning a role in Minnesota's big-league bullpen for 2026, as the club is overhauling most of its relief corps.
Justin Topa Justin Topa Option declined, but arb eligible Thu, Nov 6, 2025, 3:57 PM The Twins declined Topa's $2 million option for 2026 on Thursday, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports. Analysis: Topa remains in the organization, as he has another year of team control via arbitration eligibility. The righty reliever collected a 3.90 ERA and 49:18 K:BB over 60 innings out of the Twins' bullpen in 2025, notching four saves along the way. Topa could see high-leverage innings again in 2026 as part of an unsettled Minnesota relief corps.
David Festa David Festa Expected to resume throwing soon Tue, Nov 4, 2025, 3:27 PM Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey said Tuesday that Festa (shoulder) should resume throwing relatively soon, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Festa was diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome in September, but it's considered a mild version and he was given Botox injections to alleviate a compressed nerve between his right shoulder and neck. A setback is possible, but for now Festa is expected to be ready for the start of spring training. If healthy, the young righty will compete for a spot in the Twins' rotation next season. Festa held a 5.40 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 53:19 K:BB over 53.1 innings in 2025 with the big club.
Pablo Lopez Pablo Lopez Considered fully healthy Tue, Nov 4, 2025, 3:22 PM Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey said Tuesday that Lopez (forearm) is fully healthy and projected to have a normal offseason, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Lopez's 2025 season ended in late September with a mild right forearm strain, and he also missed two months earlier in the year with a Grade 2 teres major strain. However, there are no current concerns with Lopez's pitching arm entering the offseason, and he will not face restrictions at the beginning of spring training. The 29-year-old pitched well in 2025 when healthy, posting a 2.74 ERA and 73:20 K:BB over 75.2 innings. Lopez is owed $43.5 million over the next two seasons, and with the Twins shedding payroll, he's a trade candidate this winter.
Ryan Kreidler Ryan Kreidler Scooped up by Twins on waivers Wed, Oct 15, 2025, 2:57 PM The Twins claimed Kreidler off waivers from the Pirates on Wednesday. Analysis: Kreidler had been booted off the Pirates' 40-man roster earlier this week and has now found a new home. The 27-year-old has slashed just .138/.208/.176 over parts of four major-league seasons and is only a career .236/.342/.401 hitter in the minors. Kreidler does offer positional versatility and will likely compete for a reserve role on the Twins next season.
Emmanuel Rodriguez Emmanuel Rodriguez Will play winter ball Wed, Oct 8, 2025, 10:29 AM Twins general manager Jeremy Zoll said that Rodriguez will play winter ball to accrue some at-bats he lost out on this season due to injuries, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports. Analysis: Rodriguez had another injury-shortened season in 2025, playing just 65 games due to thumb, hip and oblique issues. The 22-year-old remained productive when on the field, slashing .258/.429/.423 with six home runs and nine stolen bases over 212 plate appearances with Triple-A St. Paul.
Ryan Jeffers Ryan Jeffers Swipes first bag Sun, Sep 28, 2025, 7:33 PM Jeffers went 3-for-4 with an RBI double, a stolen base and a walk in Sunday's extra-inning loss to Philadelphia. Analysis: Jeffers singled and stole his first and only base of the year in the fourth inning before knocking an RBI double in the sixth. He produced two straight multi-hit performances to end the year, but he also finished with an 18-game homerless drought. Jeffers hit .266 with a .753 OPS, 35 extra-base hits and 47 RBI through 464 plate appearances.
Simeon Woods Richardson Simeon Woods Richardson Stellar in no-decision Sun, Sep 28, 2025, 7:22 PM Woods Richardson did not factor in the decision during Sunday's extra-inning loss to Philadelphia. He allowed one hit over six scoreless innings while striking out nine. Analysis: Woods Richardson gave up a single to Bryson Stott in the third inning but was otherwise untouchable. Over his first nine outings, Woods Richardson posted an unsightly 5.74 ERA. After that, he produced a 3.00 ERA over his final 14 starts (69 innings). He allowed two runs while striking out 23 batters in his last 17 frames. Woods Richardson finished the 2025 season with a 4.04 ERA and a 107:46 K:BB through 111.1 innings.
Trevor Larnach Trevor Larnach Idle against southpaw Sun, Sep 28, 2025, 1:07 PM Larnach is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies. Analysis: He'll close out the campaign with consecutive absences against southpaws. With Larnach on the bench Sunday, Ryan Jeffers will serve as the Twins' designated hitter.
Edouard Julien Edouard Julien Idle against another lefty Sun, Sep 28, 2025, 1:05 PM Julien is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies. Analysis: He'll remain on the bench for the second day in a row while the Phillies send another lefty (Cristopher Sanchez) to the hill. If he's not needed off the bench Sunday, Julien will wrap up the season with a .220/.309/.324 slash line, three home runs, 13 runs and 12 RBI over 208 plate appearances.
Pierson Ohl Pierson Ohl Sent down to minors Sun, Sep 28, 2025, 11:07 AM The Twins optioned Ohl to Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday. Analysis: Ohl finished his season with eight scoreless innings spanning his final six appearances, including two scoreless frames during Saturday's win over Philadelphia. The Twins cleared him out to make room for the return of Anthony Misiewicz (pectoral) from the injured list.
Byron Buxton Byron Buxton Sitting Sunday Sun, Sep 28, 2025, 10:56 AM Buxton is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies. Analysis: Buxton will take a seat for the Twins' final game of 2025, ceding center field to James Outman with Ryan Jeffers at DH. Austin Martin will move up to the leadoff spot against lefty Cristopher Sanchez. Buxton homered in Saturday's win, his fourth homer in as many games and career-high 35th of the season.
Anthony Misiewicz Anthony Misiewicz Back from injured list Sun, Sep 28, 2025, 10:48 AM The Twins reinstated Misiewicz (pectoral) from the 15-day injured list Sunday. Analysis: Misiewicz has been shelved for more than three months due to a left pectoral strain, but he will presumably get some work in during Sunday's regular-season finale, which should at least provide him with some peace of mind heading into the winter. Misiewicz has allowed five runs on four hits and three walks while striking out five over 4.1 major-league innings so far this season.
Ryan Fitzgerald Ryan Fitzgerald Flexing power to close out year Sat, Sep 27, 2025, 9:55 PM Fitzgerald went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Saturday's 5-0 win over Philadelphia. Analysis: The rookie outfielder has shown off an impressive power stroke during his limited action in the major leagues, going yard four times in just 43 at-bats this season. It remains to be seen if the 31-year-old infielder will stay with the Twins for 2026, but he's been useful enough so far to figure he has a chance to stick around as depth. Despite batting just .209, Fitzgerald has a .794 OPS with nine RBI and one stolen base.
Mick Abel Mick Abel Dazzles in first win Sat, Sep 27, 2025, 9:02 PM Abel (1-2) earned the win Saturday against the Phillies, allowing three hits and one walk in six scoreless innings. He struck out nine. Analysis: Making just his second start since joining Minnesota, Abel delivered his finest outing with his new club against the team that traded him away this past July. The right-hander spun six shutout innings for the first time since his major-league debut back in mid-May, and he tied his season high in strikeouts. Given his prospect pedigree and sparkling season finale, the 2020 first-rounder should be under consideration for a back-end rotation spot for the rebuilding Twins in 2026 but will still likely need to prove himself during spring training. Abel will finish the campaign with a rough 6.23 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 39:16 K:BB over 39 frames.
Joe Ryan Joe Ryan Strikes out nine in loss Fri, Sep 26, 2025, 8:57 PM Ryan (13-10) took the loss against the Phillies on Friday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk with nine strikeouts over five innings. Analysis: Ryan threw 59 of 90 pitches for strikes and generated 14 whiffs, but he was outdueled by Aaron Nola. The 29-year-old was uneven down the stretch, giving up five or more runs in four of his final seven outings while holding opponents to two earned runs or fewer in the other three. He'll still close the campaign with a career-best 3.47 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 194:39 K:BB across 171 innings.