The Twins made a quiet but notable roster move Friday night, cutting ties with a player who once earned an All-Star nod in the National League.
Minnesota released shortstop Orlando Arcia from his minor league contract, according to Bobby Nightengale of the Minnesota Star Tribune. The move came after the St.
Paul Saints announced that Kaelen Culpepper had been activated from the 7-day IL, with Nightengale noting, "St. Paul Saints announced Kaelen Culpepper was activated from the 7-day IL.
Orlando Arcia was released," Nightengale wrote.
Arcia had appeared in 19 games for the Twins earlier this season, but he had been in Triple-A since June. In 50 trips to the plate, the 31-year-old posted a .271/.300/.354 line with one home run and a .654 OPS.
There was at least some thought that Arcia could still have filled a need for Minnesota. Charlie Wright of MLB Trade Rumors pointed out, "It’s a roster that maybe could’ve used Arcia, particularly considering the bench doesn’t include a middle infielder, unless you count Austin Martin (four games at second base in 2025)," Charlie Wright of MLB Trade Rumors wrote. "Instead, Arcia will hit the market in search of another opportunity."
Arcia is an 11-year veteran who spent his first six seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers before moving on to a productive run with the Atlanta Braves. He helped Atlanta win the World Series in 2021 and was selected to the All-Star Game in 2023.
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