Earlier this morning, the Twins announced that they optioned Ryan Kreidler, Alan Roden, and Eric Wagaman to AAA. Combined with Zebby Matthews getting options yesterday and the Twins letting Liam Hendriks and Andrew Chafin walk, and the Opening Day roster is nearly finalized.
With the recent round of cuts, Minnesota appears to have set their position players in stone.
Starters
- C Ryan Jeffers
- 1B Josh Bell
- 2B Luke Keaschall
- SS Brooks Lee
- 3B Royce Lewis
- LF Trevor Larnach
- CF Byron Buxton
- RF Matt Wallner
- DH Victor Caratini
Bench
- OF James Outman
- IF Tristan Gray
- UTIL Kody Clemens
- OF Austin Martin
The team will likely rotate through options at DH/LF,
with all three of Outman, Clemens, and Martin seeing significant time when Caratini is catching or Larnach needs some days off his feet. Gray will likely only play when Lee needs a day off.
The pitchers are less set, but there’s essentially only a single spot up for grabs. Mick Abel dazzled this Spring and stole the 5th starter slot from Zebby Matthews. Matthews will undoubtedly see plenty of time with the Twins throughout the season, but Abel will get the first extended chance to establish himself as a regular.
Starters
- RHP Joe Ryan
- RHP Bailey Ober
- RHP Simeon Woods Richardson
- RHP Taj Bradley
- RHP Mick Abel
Relievers
- LHP Taylor Rogers
- LHP Kody Funderburk
- RHP Cole Sands
- RHP Justin Topa
- LHP Anthony Banda
- RHP Eric Orze
- RHP Zak Kent
That leaves one bullpen slot open that appears to be a competition between veterans Dan Altavilla and Matt Bowman. Cody Laweryson is also still in camp, but the Twins don’t risk losing him for nothing if he doesn’t make the team like the vets. There’s also a good chance the Twins search the waiver wire for an outside addition as other teams make their final cuts today and tomorrow. Regardless, with three lefties already on the team, the final reliever will undoubtedly be a righty, it’s just a matter of finding the right one.
