Twins' Roster Shifts: Zak Kent Joins, Pablo López Out
In a significant roster move, the Minnesota Twins have placed right-handed pitcher Pablo López on the 60-day injured list following his season-ending Tommy John surgery. To fill his spot, the Twins claimed right-handed reliever Zak Kent off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals.
Kent's journey to Minnesota has been anything but straightforward. After debuting with the Cleveland Guardians last year, he found himself bouncing between teams this offseason.
The Cardinals initially claimed him from the Guardians in December. Then, the Texas Rangers picked him up from St.
Louis in January, only for the Cardinals to reclaim him shortly after. Now, he's set to compete for a spot in the Twins' bullpen as Opening Day approaches.
Kent, 28, showcased his potential with the Guardians last season, posting a 4.58 ERA and a 3.59 FIP over 17 2/3 innings, striking out 16 while walking eight. His Triple-A performance was even more impressive, with a 2.84 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 38 innings. Kent brings a diverse pitching arsenal, featuring a mid-80s slider, a low-90s four-seamer, a low-80s curveball, and a low-90s sinker.
Royce Lewis Sidelined as Precaution
The Twins also faced a minor setback as they scratched third baseman Royce Lewis from their spring training game against the Pittsburgh Pirates due to tightness on his right side. The decision was made out of caution, given Lewis's history with injuries. Fans and the team alike are hopeful this precautionary measure will prevent any serious issues.
David Festa's Injury Woes Continue
Right-handed pitcher David Festa is likely to begin the season on the injured list after experiencing discomfort in his shoulder. An MRI revealed an impingement around his rotator cuff, unrelated to his previous thoracic outlet syndrome. Festa was in contention for the final rotation spot but may now be more suited for a bullpen role, given the recent setback.
Minor League Reassignments
In other roster news, the Twins reassigned pitchers Cory Lewis and Matt Canterino to minor league camp. Lewis struggled last year with a 7.27 ERA in Triple-A, while Canterino, once a top prospect, hasn't pitched professionally outside of spring training since 2022.
The Twins are navigating a challenging spring, balancing injuries and roster adjustments as they prepare for the upcoming season. Fans will be watching closely to see how these changes impact the team's performance.