MN Twins Make Final Roster Moves Before Opening Day
The Minnesota Twins kick of their 2026 regular season on Thursday in Baltimore, against the Orioles. Joe Ryan will be on the bump for Derek Shelton’s first game as manager.
Outside of a couple exhibition appearances down in Fort Myers, the Twins’ 29-year-old ace (by means of injury) this is the first opportunity Joe has to show Team USA they made a mistake not calling on him to pitch the WBC Championship game, which the Americans wound up losing to Venezuela.
More importantly, the Twins are looking to start off their 2026 campaign on a better note than they did one year ago, in St. Louis, when a three game sweep at the hands of the Cardinals spun into a historic sell-off at the 2025 MLB trade deadline and an abysmal 72-90 final record.
After Shelton and GM Jeremy Zoll executed a few final camp cuts Tuesday, there was still some house-cleaning yet to do on both the 26 and 40-man rosters. At that point, however, the Minnesota Twins’ 26-man roster was pretty much set, barring any last minute trades or changes of heart.
Alex Jackson DFA’d by Minnesota Twins
Wednesday, on the eve of Opening Day, that final house-cleaning was done. As expected, after the Twins failed to find a trade partner for third-string catcher, Alex Jackson was designated for assignment Wednesday.
He cleared waivers rather quickly, though, and will now head to St. Paul. So will reliever Matt Bowman — who opted out of his contract with the Twins last week. After he didn’t find greener grass on the other side of free agency, he’s reportedly signed a new minor league deal with Minnesota.
As expected, the Twins designated catcher Alex Jackson for assignment.
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) March 25, 2026
They traded for Jackson in November and guaranteed him $1.35 million, but later signed Victor Caratini as the No. 2 catcher.
Jackson will be traded or waived. If he clears waivers, he could stay at Triple-A.
Alex Jackson cleared waivers and will start at Triple A.
— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) March 25, 2026
Matt Bowman signed a new minor-league deal and will start at St. Paul, too. #MNTwins
If he had been claimed, that team would’ve been on the hook for the $1.35 million guaranteed on his contract — which the Twins tendered him in order to avoid arbitration.
Jackson — who is out of minor league options — would also have to be placed on his new team’s active 26-man roster. Rather than being had at the major league minimum ($780k) that price is likely why he went unclaimed.
Why did MN Twins trade for Alex Jackson?
When the MN Twins traded Payton Eeles to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for catcher Alex Jackson, it was done to ensure better backup options behind Ryan Jeffers for 2026, after Christian Vazquez hit free agency this offseason. Finding someone better than Vazquez’s 52 OPS+ wasn’t that difficult.
But then, after some weeks passed by, the Minnesota Twins found an opportunity to upgrade catcher again, by signing Victor Caratini to a two-year deal. Suddenly, there were too many cooks behind the big league dish.
Alex Jackson could be available for the Orioles.
— Jacob Calvin Meyer (@jcalvinmeyer) March 25, 2026
Baltimore traded Jackson to the Twins this offseason for minor league infielder Payton Eeles. https://t.co/yPoQqx3FWg
Jackson, the 6th overall pick in 2014, has played in six big league seasons but never truly established himself. Last season with Baltimore he hit .220/.290/.473 in 36 games. That would have been a lackluster bar, but one was set when he was acquired.
The 40-man roster spot, vacated by Jackson, goes to Cody Laweryson. After being waived by the MN Twins this offseason, the right-handed reliever somehow found his way back into the fold for Opening Day.
Pair of Twins pitchers start season on injured list
Also in Gleeman’s tweet: Both starting pitcher (for now) David Festa and long reliever Travis Adams will begin their respective 2026 seasons on the Minnesota Twins injured list.
Festa — who was diagnosed with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome at the end last season — got a botox injection this winter to address the issue. Unfortunately, now he is sidelined with a shoulder impingement. Meanwhile, Adams is dealing with a triceps injury.
Both Adams and Festa’s 15-day injured list designations are retroactive to March 22, but neither is expected to return when first eligible. Festa received another injection for this shoulder injury recently, and has just resumed throwing.
Adams threw only 2 2/3 innings for the Minnesota Twins during Grapefruit League play. Whenever he does return, he’ll be an immediate candidate for the big league bullpen.
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