The Minnesota Twins head into 2026 with a clear need: bullpen reinforcements. Right now, the only relievers who feel like locks for the Opening Day roster are right-handers Eric Orze, Justin Topa, and Cole Sands, along with lefty Kody Funderburk.
Beyond that, the picture gets murky. Sure, there are some internal options who could round out the 26-man roster, but adding a few experienced arms-especially ones familiar with the organization-would go a long way in stabilizing the late innings.
Two former Twins relievers currently on the market could fit that bill-and come at a bargain.
Liam Hendriks: A Comeback Worth Watching
Liam Hendriks’ journey through Major League Baseball has been nothing short of remarkable. He broke into the big leagues with the Twins back in 2011 as a starting pitcher, but his early years in Minnesota were rocky. Over three seasons, he posted a 6.06 ERA across 156 innings, and the Twins eventually designated him for assignment following the 2013 season.
That could’ve been the end of the story, but Hendriks reinvented himself. After a brief stint with the Royals, he found new life in Toronto in 2015 when the Blue Jays made him a full-time reliever. That year, he posted a 2.92 ERA in 58 appearances and was soon dealt to Oakland, where his career truly took off.
With the A’s, Hendriks became one of the most reliable bullpen arms in baseball. Over five seasons, he logged a 3.08 ERA with 332 strikeouts in 263 innings and earned a trip to the All-Star Game in 2019. That performance earned him a three-year, $54 million deal with the White Sox, and he kept delivering-making back-to-back All-Star appearances in 2021 and 2022.
Then came the biggest challenge of his life. Hendriks was diagnosed with Stage 4 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a battle he courageously won.
He returned to the mound in 2023 and made five appearances before signing a two-year deal with the Red Sox in 2024. Unfortunately, injuries continued to pile up.
Tommy John surgery wiped out his 2024 season, and in 2025, he was limited to just 14 appearances due to a hip issue and a nerve procedure in his elbow. He finished the year with a 6.59 ERA in 13 2/3 innings.
Still, Hendriks’ track record speaks for itself. When healthy, he's been one of the most dominant relievers in the game. Given his recent injury history, he’s not going to command a high salary-making him a low-risk, high-upside option for a Twins bullpen that could use a veteran presence and a potential late-inning weapon.
Ryan Pressly: A Familiar Face With Playoff Chops
Another name that makes sense for Minnesota? Ryan Pressly.
Twins fans remember him well. From 2013 to 2018, Pressly was a steady presence in the Minnesota bullpen, putting up a 3.75 ERA over 317 innings. But it wasn’t until he landed in Houston at the 2018 trade deadline that he truly found his groove.
With the Astros, Pressly evolved into one of the most trusted closers in baseball. Over seven seasons, he racked up 111 saves and posted a 2.81 ERA in 333 innings. He also delivered in October, with 14 saves and a 2.78 ERA across 47 playoff outings-including a World Series championship run in 2022.
Now 37, Pressly signed a one-year deal with the Cubs last offseason, but things didn’t go as planned. He struggled to find consistency, finishing with a 4.35 ERA, 28 strikeouts, and 17 walks in 41 1/3 innings before being designated for assignment to make room for another former Twin, Taylor Rogers.
Despite the down year, the Twins reportedly showed interest in Pressly after he was DFA’d in August. There’s even been talk that he might be considering retirement. But if Pressly decides to give it another go, Minnesota could be a natural landing spot.
Whether it’s a low-cost major league deal or a minor league invite, bringing Pressly back into the fold could be a smart gamble. He knows the organization, he’s pitched in big moments, and he could bring some much-needed experience to a bullpen that’s still taking shape.
The Bottom Line
The Twins don’t need to break the bank to upgrade their bullpen. But they do need to be smart-and a reunion with either Liam Hendriks or Ryan Pressly, or both, could be just the kind of savvy, low-risk move that pays off in a big way.
Both pitchers have proven track records, leadership qualities, and something to prove. For a team looking to shore up its relief corps without overextending financially, these are the types of bets worth making.