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Twins Part Ways with Former Star Closer
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- Twins Part Ways with Former Star Closer
Jim Rassol-Imagn Images Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
We are now less than a week until the Minnesota Twins kick off their 2026 regular season . Derek Shelton still needs to make roster cuts and determine his 26-man roster.
There are more than a handful of positions that appear to be set. Minnesota is going to carry two catchers, which means Alex Jackson is without a spot. That has led to reports of him being shopped in order to save the $1.35 million they have committed to him.
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Liam Hendriks looked like he had pitched well enough to contribute in a lackluster Twins bullpen. Apparently though, that's not the case.
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Liam Hendriks released by Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins signed Liam Hendriks as a teenager out of Australia. He made his big league debut with the franchise in 2011 , and left following the 2013 season. Back on a minor league deal this spring, he was told the team didn't have a spot for him and exercised his opt out.
#MNTwins have granted Liam Hendriks his release. Had an opt out.
— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) March 20, 2026
In six games this spring, Hendriks has allowed just two runs on seven hits across six innings. He struck out four and walked three.
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It's been quite some time since the dominant version of Hendriks was making All-Star Game appearances for the Athletics and White Sox . From 2019 through 2022 his velocity sat in the 97 mph range. Now post cancer treatment and Tommy John surgery, he averaged just 93.9 mph in Grapefruit League action.
While the velocity was understandably diminished, the Twins allowed Hendriks ample runway to ramp up. For whatever reason, they decided that the results weren't going to be enough.
This isn't White Sox Liam Hendriks, but it should play. pic.twitter.com/knsVGlgVIu
— Ted (@tlschwerz) March 6, 2026
There are plenty of soft-tossing arms project to make the MN Twins bullpen. Taylor Rogers and Kody Funderburk are both lefties that rarely ratchet it up. The group as a whole also was blown up from the top down during last summer's trade deadline .
If Hendriks isn't deemed worth of making one of the worst projected bullpens in baseball, then it may be the end of the line for him. Or, it's possible that the Twins made a mistake and another team gives him a shot.
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MN Twins bullpen gets clarity
With the removal of Hendriks from camp, the bullpen is now starting to take shape. It can be safely assumed that Taylor Rogers, Anthony Banda , Cole Sands , and Justin Topa are all locks. Eric Orze and Andrew Chafin should be in as well.
Kody Funderburk has thrown well enough to grab a spot, but would be a third lefty. He also has minor league options remaining. If that's the group, then there's one spot left.
I'd like to see Cody Laweryson get the nod . He presents more upside than veterans like Dan Altavilla or Matt Bowman . The Twins did let Laweryson go earlier this offseason before bringing him back though, so who knows what they think of him.
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It was always odd to think that Hendriks would be in play for the closer role if he did make the team, though that had been a suggestion. It seems straightforward that the high leverage innings will initially go to Rogers, Banda, and Sands.
Shelton is going to have to hope this group hits with a starting rotation that is already down its ace for the year.
Rotation for Minnesota Twins looks set too
Beyond just releasing Hendriks, the Minnesota Twins sent Zebby Matthews to minor league camp and he'll open the year with Triple-A St. Paul. That is telling as to where the rotation is at.
We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/mmMR13vRaG
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) March 20, 2026
Joe Ryan will be the staff ace. In no particular order, he's going to be followed by Taj Bradley , Simeon Woods Richardson , Mick Abel , and…Bailey Ober . With Pablo Lopez done for the year, and David Festa shelved, that's how Derek Shelton appears set to open the season.
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Matthews didn't exactly put a strong step forward this spring allowing nine runs (seven earned) in just 11 innings. He had a 9/4 K/BB and wasn't as sharp as you want to see a guy win a roster spot.
Although Matthews had a 5.56 ERA last season, it his a 3.79 FIP and he has still been a guy that can trend up. Instead of lean into that, the Twins appear more comfortable with Ober.
Despite the pitcher suggesting his body may be failing him, and velocity that may not play in a high school game, he's going to give it a go. Ober has allowed just two runs in 8 2/3 innings this spring. He has only a 3/3 K/BB though, and is averaging 88.8 mph on his fastball . Down nearly 2 mph from his already diminished 2025 numbers, it's not a good look.
The rotation looked like it would be the strength, but now could be anything but.
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