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Liam Hendriks Liam Hendriks Throws scoreless inning Thu, Mar 12, 2026, 11:12 PM Hendriks (elbow) threw a scoreless inning with a strikeout Thursday and has a 2.25 ERA and 2:2 K:BB ratio in four innings this spring. He averaged 93.6 mph on the six fastballs he threw during the outing. Analysis: Hendriks has looked healthy this spring but his velocity is down from a 94.9 mph average fastball in 2025 and 95.4 mph in 2023. It's not clear if Hendriks will even make the Opening Day roster at this point, but he's still potentially in the closer mix. Still, the signs for Hendriks are encouraging after undergoing right elbow ulnar nerve transposition with posterior interosseous nerve release surgery in September.
James Outman James Outman In OF mix with hot spring Thu, Mar 12, 2026, 5:38 PM Outman is hitting .280 (7-for-25) with two home runs and six stolen bases this spring. He remains in the mix to win a spot on the major league roster though the outfield competition is still unsettled, The Athletic reports. Analysis: Outman is out of minor league options which could help his case to win a final roster spot. The Twins have a glut of left-handed outfielders, however, which could hurt his case. Outman is likely competing with Alan Roden for the final spot. Outman looked like a potential star in 2023 when he hit 23 home runs as a rookie in 151 games with a .790 OPS (and a 117+ wRC+), but he has struggled since. He hit just .147 with a .558 OPS and four home runs in 37 games after he was traded to the Twins last season. If he makes the roster in a reserve role, he could be a source of stolen bases for deep leagues.
Austin Martin Austin Martin Still in OF mix Thu, Mar 12, 2026, 5:24 PM Martin went 0-for-3 in Thursday's win over Boston and is hitting just .231 (6-for-21) with three stolen bases this spring. Despite the lackluster spring, he's still seen as making the final roster and getting regular time as a platoon option in left field, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports. Analysis: Martin is a right-handed batter in a left-handed heavy outfield, so he'll likely work on the short side of a platoon in left field to begin the season. Martin has also had some playing time at second base this spring, so he could get some time there as well in a limited bench role. Martin got regular duty the final two months last season and made the most of it by hitting .282 with a 113 wRC+. While he lacks power, he had 11 stolen bases in just 50 games in the majors last season.
Bailey Ober Bailey Ober Velocity remains down Thu, Mar 12, 2026, 2:23 PM Ober allowed one run on five hits and one walk while striking out two over 2.2 innings during Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox. According to Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic, the right-hander averaged 88.8 mph with his fastball. Analysis: Ober's fastball was sitting in the lower 90s early in camp, but it averaged 89.9 mph during his spring debut last week and ticked even lower Thursday. The 30-year-old's average velocity of 90.3 mph in 2025 was a career low as he struggled to a career-worst 5.10 ERA and 1.30 WHIP, and the trend so far in spring training is a concerning development.
Cole Sands Cole Sands Remains in closer competition Wed, Mar 11, 2026, 3:30 PM Twins manager Derek Shelton said he has no idea who his closer will be this season, but Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports that Sands is still a possibility. "I'm still trying to figure it out. Sometimes, that's the answer where you're trying not to answer it," Shelton said. "I've probably done that before. But right now, I'm trying to figure it out. I don't think we have an idea of what's going to happen." Analysis: We wouldn't read too much into this report as Sands is one of a handful of candidates to close game or share a committee along with Taylor Rogers, Liam Hendriks, Justin Topa and a series of lefties including Anthony Banda and Andrew Chafin, but he has a chance to finish games. Sands had a breakout season as a reliever in 2024, but he took a step back last season with just a 21.4 percent strikeout rate, down from 29.1 percent. Sands has given up three runs in five innings with a 4:2 K:BB this spring.
David Festa David Festa Expected to begin season on IL Wed, Mar 11, 2026, 3:20 PM Festa (shoulder) remains out and is expected to begin the season on the injured list, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports. Analysis: Festa was shut down in late February due to a shoulder impingement and received an injection to address the injury. At first it was thought he'd only be shut down a few weeks, but this report makes it sound like he'll be out much longer since he hasn't started any significant activity.
Julian Merryweather Julian Merryweather Begins running Wed, Mar 11, 2026, 3:13 PM Merryweather (hamstring) played catch Wednesday and did some running in front of the training staff, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports. Analysis: Merryweather suffered a Grade 1 left hamstring strain Feb. 24 and was expected to need about 3-to-4 weeks to recover. It looks like he's candidate to begin the season on the injured list but still has time to be ready for Opening Day.
Joe Ryan Joe Ryan Makes spring debut Tue, Mar 10, 2026, 9:32 PM Ryan (back) threw three scoreless innings in his spring debut Tuesday with two walks and no strikeouts. "We'll talk and check in this week and see where we're at, but I think things are looking pretty good," Ryan said of his chances to pitch in the WBC according to Declan Goff of SKOR North. Analysis: Ryan said his back felt good during the outing where he threw 48 pitches. It remains to be seen if he'll join Team USA for the second round of the WBC, but it sounds like he has a good chance to be ready for Opening Day. Ryan was scratched ahead of his first scheduled spring start Feb. 21 when he experienced tightness on the right side of his back. An MRI revealed only inflammation and he was able to begin throwing soon afterward.
Gabriel Gonzalez Gabriel Gonzalez Sent to minor-league camp Mon, Mar 9, 2026, 4:27 PM The Twins optioned Gonzalez to Triple-A St. Paul on Monday. Analysis: Gonzalez was one of nine players sent out of big-league camp in the Twins' latest round of roster cuts. Minnesota added the 22-year-old outfielder to the 40-man roster this offseason after he slashed .329/.395/.513 with 15 home runs and eight steals across stops with High-A Cedar Rapids, Double-A Wichita and St. Paul. Gonzalez is likely on track to make his MLB debut at some point in 2026, and his bat will be the key to him gaining a long-term foothold in the Minnesota lineup. He's a below-average defender who was moved off center field early in his minor-league career and is limited to a corner spot or designated hitter.
Andrew Morris Andrew Morris Dispatched to minors Mon, Mar 9, 2026, 4:17 PM The Twins optioned Morris to Triple-A St. Paul on Monday. Analysis: Morris was one of nine players sent out of big-league camp in the Twins' latest round of roster cuts. Minnesota added the 24-year-old righty to the 40-man roster this offseason after he accrued a 4.09 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 89:28 K:BB across 94.2 innings with St. Paul in 2025. Morris will slot into a rotation spot with St. Paul to begin the upcoming season and could be in line to make his MLB debut at some point later this summer.
Connor Prielipp Connor Prielipp Fails to crack Opening Day roster Mon, Mar 9, 2026, 4:14 PM The Twins optioned Prielipp to Triple-A St. Paul on Monday. Analysis: Prielipp was one of nine players sent out of big-league camp in the Twins' latest round of roster cuts. Minnesota added the 25-year-old southpaw to the 40-man roster this offseason after he accrued a 4.03 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 98:31 K:BB across 82.2 innings between stops with St. Paul and Double-A Wichita.
Marco Raya Marco Raya Sent out of big-league camp Mon, Mar 9, 2026, 4:12 PM The Twins optioned Raya to Triple-A St. Paul on Monday. Analysis: Raya was one of nine players sent out of big-league camp in the Twins' latest round of roster cuts. The 23-year-old right-hander is entering his second season as a member of Minnesota's 40-man roster but is still waiting to make his MLB debut. After logging a 6.02 ERA and 1.63 WHIP across 98.2 innings in his 30 appearances (20 starts) for St. Paul in 2025, Raya is expected to serve as a full-time reliever for the Triple-A club during the 2026 season.
Emmanuel Rodriguez Emmanuel Rodriguez Cut from big-league camp Mon, Mar 9, 2026, 4:09 PM The Twins optioned Rodriguez to Triple-A St. Paul on Monday. Analysis: Rodriguez was one of nine players sent out of big-league camp in the Twins' latest round of roster cuts. The 23-year-old outfielder is entering his third season as a member of Minnesota's 40-man roster but is still waiting to make his MLB debut. He was slowed by injuries throughout the 2025 campaign, playing just 52 games at the Triple-A level while slashing .258/.429/.423 with six home runs and nine stolen bases across 212 plate appearances.
Kendry Rojas Kendry Rojas Dispatched to minors Mon, Mar 9, 2026, 4:07 PM The Twins optioned Rojas to Triple-A St. Paul on Monday. Analysis: Rojas was one of nine players sent out of big-league camp in the Twins' latest round of roster cuts. Minnesota added the 23-year-old southpaw to the 40-man roster this offseason after he impressed across four levels between his time in the Blue Jays and Twins organizations in 2025, finishing with a 4.70 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 90:32 K:BB in 69 innings.
Byron Buxton Byron Buxton Returns to Team USA lineup Mon, Mar 9, 2026, 3:13 PM Buxton (elbow) will start in center field and bat eighth in Monday's World Baseball Classic game versus Team Mexico. Analysis: Buxton was pulled from Friday's contest versus Team Brazil after being hit on the right elbow by a pitch. He did not play Saturday against Team Great Britain, but Buxton is fine and ready to roll for Monday's tilt.
Travis Adams Travis Adams Battling elbow inflammation Mon, Mar 9, 2026, 12:04 PM The Twins announced Sunday that Adams has been diagnosed with right elbow inflammation and won't resume throwing until at least next weekend, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports. Analysis: Adams first experienced soreness in his elbow Friday, with follow-up tests revealing no structural damage but confirming that the right-hander is dealing with inflammation. The 26-year-old had surrendered two earned runs on two hits and two walks over 2.2 innings through his first three Grapefruit League outings, and his poor numbers coupled with the elbow issue could be enough to keep him from winning a spot in the Twins' Opening Day bullpen.
Justin Topa Justin Topa Rough start to spring Mon, Mar 9, 2026, 9:41 AM Topa gave up four earned runs on four hits, including a home run, with two strikeouts Sunday to increase his spring ERA to 30.38. He's given up nine earned runs in 2.2 innings. Analysis: Topa does have a 5:3 K:BB in 2.2 innings, so he's at least striking out batters. It's still early in the spring and Topa as a veteran may be focusing on some aspects of his arsenal. However, this isn't inspiring for his chances to earn saves in the unsettled Twins closer competition.
Byron Buxton Byron Buxton Fine after Friday's HBP Sat, Mar 7, 2026, 6:37 PM Team USA manager Mark DeRosa told reporters after Friday's World Baseball Classic win over Brazil that Buxton is "feeling fine" after being hit by a pitch in the top of the fifth inning, Ryan Kelapire of MLB.com reports. Analysis: Buxton was replaced by Pete Crow-Armstrong after the former took a pitch to his right forearm during Friday's 15-5 win, but DeRosa relayed that Buxton's removal was a precautionary move. X-rays on Buxton's forearm came back negative, and while he isn't in Team USA's starting lineup for Saturday's WBC game against Great Britain, there's no indication that the 32-year-old center fielder will miss significant time.
Bailey Ober Bailey Ober Averages 89.9 mph in spring debut Sat, Mar 7, 2026, 7:28 AM Ober threw two perfect innings with one strikeout in Friday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta. However, his fastball averaged just 89.9 mph and topped out at 91.1 mph, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports. Analysis: The results look good, but he was essentially facing Atlanta's "B" lineup, and notably the velocity Ober showed earlier in camp was not there. While he's never been a particularly hard thrower, a significant bounce-back from his 5.10 ERA last season may prove difficult if he can't find a little more zip on the pitch he throws more than one-third of the time. Ober figures to make three more spring starts before slotting in behind Joe Ryan in the Twins' Opening Day rotation.
Byron Buxton Byron Buxton Removed from WBC game after HBP Fri, Mar 6, 2026, 9:12 PM Buxton was removed from Friday's World Baseball Classic game against Brazil after getting hit on the elbow by a pitch, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Buxton ran the bases for himself after taking a 92-mph fastball off his right elbow in the fifth inning, but he was replaced on defense to begin the next half-inning. The severity of his injury remains unclear, but more information on his status should come in the near future.