In just under a week, Joe Ryan is set to open the Minnesota Twins' 2026 season against the Baltimore Orioles. The Twins are eager to put last year’s 70-92 season behind them, and the roster decisions are heating up as they trim down to the final 26 players.
As of Friday, the Twins had 42 players in camp, but that number quickly dropped with some surprising roster moves. Notably, veteran reliever Liam Hendriks was let go, and starter Zebby Matthews was reassigned to Triple-A.
Andrew Chafin's Departure
The Twins are in the midst of a bullpen overhaul, a crucial area that was once their strong suit. On Friday, the team announced three more cuts, including the departure of 35-year-old right-hander Andrew Chafin, further reducing the roster to 37 players.
The front office didn’t have much budget flexibility this offseason, and the veteran arms they brought in haven’t quite delivered. Chafin, who had a solid 2.41 ERA with the Nationals and Angels last year, struggled in spring training. His fastball velocity dropped to an average of 85.7 mph, a noticeable dip from the previous season.
Noah Cardenas was also sent to the minors, a move that was more anticipated. Meanwhile, Gio Urshela returned for infield depth but didn’t have a clear path to the roster.
Shaping the Twins Bullpen
As the Twins prepare for Baltimore, they still need to cut 11 more players. With Chafin and Hendriks out, the bullpen options are narrowing.
Kody Funderburk is now likely to secure a spot, given Chafin’s exit. Taylor Rogers, Cole Sands, Justin Topa, and Anthony Banda are also expected to make the bullpen.
Eric Orze, acquired in the offseason, is on the 40-man roster and seems to be a lock as well. The Twins are hoping for a resurgence from Taylor Rogers, who had a challenging 2025 season but showed promise in 2024.
The last two bullpen spots remain undecided, with several contenders in the mix. Cody Laweryson could earn his way back, while veterans Dan Altavilla and Matt Bowman are still in camp after the World Baseball Classic.
Zak Kent, added over the winter, is another option on the 40-man roster. Trent Baker has pitched recently but hasn’t made a significant impact.
There’s also the possibility of acquiring a reliever through a trade. Players like Trevor Larnach, Eric Wagaman, Tristan Gray, and Ryan Kreidler are on the fringe of the roster and could be part of future moves.
With the clock ticking, the Twins have some crucial decisions to make as they finalize their roster for the upcoming season.