The Twins spent this spring evaluating players such as Jose Miranda, Edouard Julien and Austin Martin as they looked to fill out the roster. The first two made the team out of camp. The latter did not, beginning his season in Triple-A, where he has spent most of it recovering from two hamstring injuries.
But all along, the Twins knew they would need more than just the 26 players they left Fort Myers, Fla. with, and a look at their current roster proves just that. Injuries and underperformance have opened opportunities for other players, some of whom weren’t even in the organization this spring.
“One of the first things that (manager Rocco Baldelli) says every spring training to everyone in the clubhouse is ‘Hey, at some point we’re going to need a lot of you guys. Don’t think because you didn’t start the season on the 26-man roster, you’re not going to help contribute,’ ” starter Pablo López said. “Lo and behold, a couple of weeks later, we have guys in the lineup that were not part of Opening Day, but were part of that philosophy, that mentality that we’ve been building that everyone in here competes, everyone in here can contribute.”
Ryan Fitzgerald, who made his major league debut over the weekend after parts of seven seasons in the minor leagues, was optioned back to Triple-A on Thursday, a day after scoring a game-winning run against Cleveland. That move paves the way for shortstop Carlos Correa to return from the seven-day concussion injured list this weekend against Kansas City.
Here’s a look at three of the newest Twins who remain on the roster, how they got here and how they fit in:
Kody Clemens
Clemens, the most impactful of the new additions, arrived in late April, acquired in a trade after rookie Luke Keaschall broke his forearm. He had been designated by assignment just days earlier by the Philadelphia Phillies after getting little playing time through the first few weeks of the season (seven plate appearances).
He’s a left-handed hitter like Julien but offers better defense and more positional versatility. And he certainly has made the most of his playing time.
Playing more consistently, he said, has helped him get into a good rhythm. And, already, he’s had some big moments, walking off Cleveland on Wednesday and hitting a home run at his father’s old stomping grounds, Fenway Park, with both of his parents — MLB legend Roger and wife Debbie — in attendance.
Clemens, who has played primarily second base for the Twins with some first and corner outfield thrown in, is hitting .318 with a 1.070 OPS and three home runs in 17 games since coming to Minnesota.
“In the past, you show up, you’re going to pinch hit,” Clemens said. “If I don’t produce, then I’m not going to play for five days. Knowing I’m getting consistent at-bats is nice. Knowing that if I do strikeout the first at-bat, I’m going to get another at-bat. The pressure is off.”
Jonah Bride
Like Clemens, Bride was acquired in a trade for cash in April. He had been designated for assignment by the Miami Marlins after beginning his season 4 for 40 (.100). A year earlier, Bride, who debuted in 2022 with the Oakland Athletics, hit 11 home runs in 71 games and posted a 123 OPS+, a number 23 percent better than the league average hitter.
Bride got off to a quick start in Minnesota, crediting the team’s hitting coaches with encouraging him to lower his hands, which led to some early results.
He had three hits in Wednesday’s 6-5 win over the Cleveland Guardians and is 13 for 43 (.302) since the trade.
Bride, a right-handed hitter, has played a mix of first base and third base (along with a few innings at second) in limited action for the Twins.
The Twins expected Miranda to see time at the corner infield spots but his slow start led to his demotion and the Twins added Bride to the mix just a few days later.
Carson McCusker
The 6’8” outfielder, whom the Twins signed out of independent ball in June 2023, has been turning heads and finally got the call over the weekend when Byron Buxton joined Correa on the concussion injured list.
McCusker, who turned 27 on Thursday, was hitting .350 with a 1.062 OPS in Triple-A this season with 10 home runs in 38 games at the time of his promotion — his first two the majors. He’s had just two at-bats so far, going 0 for 2.
While there may not be much of an opportunity for him right now, particularly with Buxton and Matt Wallner nearing returns, McCusker provides a potentially intriguing power threat for the Twins.
“It’s honestly kind of a lot to take in,” he said over the weekend. “It’s definitely a blessing. It’s kind of crazy looking back where I was to where I am now that I was able to get here and do it.”
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