The Minnesota Twins head into 2026 with a roster that’s solid on paper-but let’s be honest, they’re not quite in that upper tier of World Series contenders just yet. This is a team that tends to come out of the gates strong, only to get tripped up by inconsistency and, more often than not, injuries to key players. That pattern has defined recent seasons, and unless something changes, it could be the storyline again this year.
Injuries have been the recurring villain in Minnesota’s script, and they’re once again shaping the Twins’ outlook. The focus this season? Survive, stay healthy, and stay in the fight.
Byron Buxton remains one of the most important-and most fragile-pieces of the puzzle. He suited up for 126 games in 2025, the second-highest total of his career.
That’s a win, but it also highlights the issue: Buxton has only topped 100 games three times since debuting. When he’s on the field, he’s a game-changer, plain and simple.
The problem is keeping him there.
Buxton isn’t alone in the injury department. Royce Lewis, another cornerstone of the lineup, has yet to complete a season without missing time.
The talent is undeniable-Lewis can rake-but the Twins need him healthy if they want to make any noise in a competitive AL Central. And with Buxton reportedly open to waiving his no-trade clause if the team continues to offload talent, there’s a sense that the clock may be ticking on this core.
Minnesota did make a low-risk move to bolster the bullpen this week, claiming right-hander Jackson Kowar off waivers. It's a name that might not move the needle right away, but there’s a bit of intrigue here.
Kowar, originally drafted by the Tigers, made his MLB debut with the Royals in 2021 as a starter-and it was a rough introduction. He posted a -1.5 WAR, 11.27 ERA, and 2.08 WHIP in 30.1 innings.
The control wasn’t there (20 walks), but the strikeout stuff showed flashes (29 Ks).
Things didn’t get much better in 2022. Kowar pitched just 15.2 innings across seven games, walking 11 and finishing with a bloated 9.77 ERA and 2.43 WHIP.
But 2023 saw a bit more usage and, with it, a slight improvement: a 2-0 record, 6.43 ERA, and 29 strikeouts in 28 innings. Still far from dominant, but enough to keep teams interested.
The Royals eventually moved on, trading him to the Braves, who then flipped him to the Mariners in a deal that included Marco Gonzales and Jarred Kelenic. Kowar underwent Tommy John surgery in 2024, sidelining him for most of the year. But he returned in 2025 and quietly put together a solid stretch: 17 innings, 2-0 record, 4.24 ERA, and a much more manageable 1.24 WHIP.
Now he joins a Twins bullpen that could use some depth. If Kowar can continue trending in the right direction, he could find a role as a middle reliever or even a spot starter. He’s not a savior, but he’s a project worth watching.
So here we are: a Twins team with talent, but also with questions. Health remains the X-factor.
If Buxton and Lewis can stay on the field-and that’s a big if-Minnesota has the pieces to compete. But until they prove they can stay healthy and consistent over a full season, the World Series will remain just out of reach.