FORT MYERS, Fla. — One month from Thursday, the Twins will be in Baltimore preparing for their season opener at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. There remains plenty to be decided until then.
This year, certainly more than in recent years, there are roster spots up for grabs. Here’s a look at four areas that remain unsettled a month before the regular season begins.
Minnesota Twins pitcher Mick Abel throws the ball against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Rotation
The Twins were already talking about a rotation battle before camp began, with eight starters in the mix for five spots. That’s down to seven after Pablo López’s right elbow gave out in his first official spring training session. He had season-ending Tommy John surgery on Wednesday.
Behind Joe Ryan and Bailey Ober, the Twins have a group of starters with varying levels of major-league experience in camp: Taj Bradley, Simeon Woods Richardson, Zebby Matthews, David Festa and Mick Abel.
Bradley and Richardson seem to be relatively safe bets; each has spent consistent time in the majors. If they break camp with the team, that leaves the remaining three to compete for the final spot.
Festa has yet to appear in a spring training game as he works his way back from thoracic outlet syndrome, which required Botox injections in his shoulder late last year. Matthews spent much of last season in the majors with the Twins; Abel debuted last season and has the least major league experience.
Bullpen
Rebuilding the bullpen after the Twins dealt five relievers at the trade deadline was a major focus of the offseason. But many of the roster moves to address it were completed over the past month. As things stand, it seems like the Twins have a couple open spots in the ‘pen.
Justin Topa and Cole Sands return from the right side, and Eric Orze, acquired in a trade this offseason, seems like a likely option, too. Southpaw Taylor Rogers rejoined the team in free agency, and the Twins added fellow lefty Anthony Banda just days into camp. The Twins also added left-hander Andrew Chafin on a minor league deal.
If Chafin breaks camp with the Twins, that could push Kody Funderburk back to Triple-A to begin the season. Funderburk had a strong finish in 2025, but the Twins seem unlikely to carry four left-handers.
That leaves two bullpen spots up for grabs. Veteran closer Liam Hendriks joined the Twins as a non-roster invite, and he would seem to have a good chance to break with the team if he proves he’s healthy.
If not, the Twins have a number of non-roster invites with major league experience, and young prospects such as Marco Raya, they could turn to. There’s also a question whether the Twins will carry a long-man to begin the year, such as Travis Adams or another converted starter.
Austin Martin #16 of the Minnesota Twins steps on second for a double in the sixth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on Sept. 05, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
Backup outfielder
Byron Buxton will play center and Matt Wallner right. Who the Twins carry beyond that is up in the air.
Trevor Larnach played just 60 games in the outfield last season, spending most of his time at designated hitter, something which seems likely to be the case this year, as well.
Including Wallner and Larnach, the Twins have a number of left-handed corner outfielders in camp. Austin Martin, a right-handed hitter, seems likely to grab a spot, and the Twins could wind up choosing between lefties James Outman and Alan Roden late in camp.
Outman, a veteran acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers last July, is out of minor league options, which means he cannot be sent down without being exposed to waivers.
The Twins will need to carry someone who can play center behind Buxton, and with Buxton scheduled to play in the World Baseball Classic next month, the Twins should get a good look at their options there, including Martin, Roden and Outman.
Backup infielder
The Twins are pretty set in the infield with Josh Bell at first, Luke Keaschall at second, Brooks Lee at short and Royce Lewis at third. Kody Clemens can move around on the right side of the infield, but the Twins still need someone who can slide in at short when Lee is out.
Ryan Kreidler, who has played parts of the past four seasons with the Detroit Tigers, is a strong defender at short — and could also head out to center. He seems most likely to grab hold of this. Tristan Gray, picked up in a trade this offseason with the Boston Red Sox, has played some short — as well as first, second and third — in limited major league opportunities.
Both Kreidler and Gray are on the 40-man roster, while former all-star Orlando Arcia has extensive shortstop experience at the major league level and is in camp on a minor league deal.
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