As the Minnesota Twins gear up for the new season, they're making some pivotal roster adjustments. Just days before opening day, the Twins have released veteran reliever Liam Hendriks and sent promising starter Zebby Matthews to Triple-A St. Paul.
Hendriks, a familiar face for Twins fans, was brought back to Minnesota last month. His journey with the team began in 2007, leading to his MLB debut in 2011.
Over two seasons, he appeared in 30 games for the Twins. The hope was that Hendriks could bolster a bullpen in need of depth.
However, a series of health setbacks, including a battle with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and subsequent hip and elbow injuries, have limited his innings to just 18 2/3 over the past three years. Despite these challenges, Hendriks boasts an impressive 116 career saves and has delivered in high-pressure situations.
This spring, Hendriks made seven appearances, pitching 7 innings with a 3.86 ERA and recording 5 strikeouts. Yet, his velocity wasn't quite where it needed to be, prompting the Twins to explore other options for their bullpen.
On the other hand, Zebby Matthews, who was vying for a spot in the starting rotation, has been optioned to Triple-A. This decision paves the way for Mick Abel to join a rotation featuring Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, Simeon Woods Richardson, and Taj Bradley.
Currently, the Twins' camp consists of 40 active players, including 19 pitchers, five catchers, eight infielders, five outfielders, and three utility players. Among these, nine are non-roster invitees, adding depth and competition as the team prepares for the season opener in Baltimore on Thursday.
These moves highlight the Twins' strategic adjustments as they aim to start the season strong, with a mix of seasoned veterans and fresh talent ready to make an impact.