As the Minnesota Twins gear up for the 2026 regular season opener in Baltimore, the final roster decisions are taking shape under Derek Shelton's watchful eye. With just days to go, the team is narrowing down its 26-man roster, and some surprising moves have already been made.
One of the biggest shocks came from the bullpen, where former star closer Liam Hendriks was informed he wouldn't be part of the Opening Day roster. This decision allows Hendriks to exercise an option in his contract to hit the open market once again.
It's a surprising turn for Hendriks, who began his MLB journey with the Twins back in 2007 and has since become one of the league's most formidable closers. However, after battling through cancer treatments and Tommy John surgery, his velocity has dipped to an average of 93.9 mph this spring, a far cry from his peak.
Despite Hendriks' impressive exhibition performance-allowing just two runs over six innings with four strikeouts-his diminished velocity seemed to weigh heavily on the Twins' decision. The bullpen, already in flux after last summer's overhaul, will now look to other arms to fill the void. Taylor Rogers, Anthony Banda, Cole Sands, Justin Topa, Eric Orze, and Andrew Chafin appear set to secure their spots, with Kody Funderburk also in contention despite his minor league options.
As for the rotation, Joe Ryan is poised to lead the charge on Opening Day, followed by Taj Bradley, Simeon Woods Richardson, Mick Abel, and Bailey Ober. Ober's inclusion is particularly intriguing given his recent struggles with velocity and durability, but his spring performance-allowing just two runs in 8 2/3 innings-has earned him a nod.
Meanwhile, Zebby Matthews will start the season in Triple-A after a challenging spring. Despite a promising 3.79 FIP last season, his spring outings left much to be desired, and the Twins are opting for Ober's experience to round out the rotation.
As the Twins finalize their roster, the decisions made now will set the tone for the season. With a mix of seasoned veterans and emerging talent, the team is looking to strike the right balance as they take on the challenges ahead.