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Minnesota Twins Reliever Opts Out of Contract
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- Minnesota Twins Reliever Opts Out of Contract
Jim Rassol-Imagn Images Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
With just four days left until the Minnesota Twins kick off their 2026 regular season , Spring Training is barreling towards a closer. Derek Shelton's team is nearly done with Grapefruit League action, and then things will start to count.
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The 26-man roster must be decided upon prior to first pitch on Thursday in Baltimore . Of late, the most notable cutdowns have invluded veteran relievers exercising their opts outs.
Last week it was Liam Hendriks and Andrew Chafin who were informed they wouldn't make the club. On Sunday, Matt Bowman exercised his option.
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Matt Bowman exercises MN Twins opt out
The MN Twins brought Matt Bowman back as a non-roster invitee this spring. The veteran reliever made five appearances for the club in 2024. Now he's forced a decision from the club.
Matt Bowman has exercised his opt-out with the Twins. The righthander, who has a 0.00 ERA this spring and had a 0.00 ERA for Team Israel, is scheduled to pitch today for the Twins.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 22, 2026
This spring Bowman had made five appearances for the Minnesota Twins. Across 5 1/3 innings, he allowed just one unearned run on five hits. He struck out six and walked two. On Sunday, he threw two more scoreless innings allowing a single hit and striking out one.
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Having exercised his opt out, he must now be placed on the 26-man roster, or granted his release. He is among a small group of non-roster relievers fighting for one or two spots.
Bowman did leave camp for a period to participate in the World Baseball Classic with Team Israel. He appeared in two games and allowed just one hit in three innings.
Last season, his seventh in the majors, Bowman threw 24 2/3 innings with the Baltimore Orioles . He owned a 6.20 ERA (4.76 FIP) and 6.6 K/9. He's bounced around plenty with middling success.
MN Twins bullpen whittling down
If Bowman doesn't make the bullpen, the Minnesota Twins will be down to 36 players in Fort Myers. They'll still need to make ten cuts prior to Opening Day.
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The bullpen should be expected to carry eight players. Locks include Cole Sands , Taylor Rogers , Justin Topa , and Anthony Banda . Eric Orze and Zak Kent both have 40-man roster spots and seem to be in as well.
Two final spots could go to non-roster invites Cody Laweryson and Dan Altavilla . Grant Hartwig is also still around.
Minnesota's bullpen is not projected to be the strength it was a season ago . After being gutted at the trade deadline , they'll need to re-establish themselves in situations across the board.
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