MN Twins Fill Out 40-Man Roster with Another Waiver Claim

In case you haven’t been watching the Minnesota Twins over the path month, their pitching staff has the team’s worst enemy, after injuries to Pablo Lopez and Zebby Matthews have stretched the starting rotation beyond its limits.

That is why, at least in large part, the MN Twins have come out losers in nine of their last ten games. On Sunday, they tried to counter by using a left-handed opener against Milwaukee’s lefty-heavy top of the lineup… and it failed miserably.

Manager Rocco Baldelli made it clear after the game that he won’t hesitate to use the opener strategy again, something he clearly expects to do more of, while Pablo and Zebby recover from their shoulder injuries.

Connor Gillispie becomes Minnesota Twins latest waiver claim

But whether it’s at the beginning, middle or end of the game, the Minnesota Twins are starting to come to the reality that they will need more arms available, whether that be in the bullpen or rotation.

So on Monday, they snagged righty pitcher, Connor Gillispie, off waivers. The 27-year-old was there after, being cut from the Miami Marlins 40-man roster over the weekend. MLB waiver rules force the Twins to add Gillispie to their 40-man roster, taking up their final vacant spot, but he’ll actually start his Twins career in St. Paul.

Twins roster move: RHP Connor Gillispie was claimed off waivers from the Marlins and optioned to Class AAA.

Gillispie, 27, had an 8.65 ERA in six starts for Miami. That fills the last open spot on the Twins’ 40-man roster.

— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) June 23, 2025

The Minnesota Twins have done plenty of roster shuffling in recent weeks. They claimed Joey Wentz (Pittsburgh) back on June 11, the same day they moved Pablo Lopez off the active 40-man and onto the 60-day injured list.

What can Gillispie off the Twins?

Last season, Connor Gillispie made his big league debut out of the bullpen with the Cleveland Guardians. He pitched just eight innings over three games, but finished with respectable numbers 2.25 ERA and 1.125 WHIP, albeit a small sample size.

This year, however, Gillispie came up as a starter for the Miami Marlins, posting a brutal 8.65 ERA (5.69 FIP) across 26 innings. He did have some success early this season, back in April, but he’s mostly disappointed since.

Great outing for Connor Gillispie. Command was awesome, and had some HUGE strikeouts.

5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K

Clutch strikeout here of Lindor on a cutter to end the 5th. pic.twitter.com/zY68XKcX7q

— Jeremiah Geiger (@JeremiahGeiger2) April 2, 2025

Unfortunately, Connor Gillispie — who joins Jonah Bride as the second former Marlin to be acquired by Minnesota this year — hasn’t performed much better down the minors.

In eight games (seven starts) with Triple-A Columbus, the former 9th round draft pick out of VCU has posted a 4.28 ERA in 33.1 innings, with just 5.9 SO/9, which is way down from the 8.8 SO/9 during his career. His walks (4.3 BB/9) are way up too.

Minnesota Twins desperate for pitching help

This is an unfortunate cry for depth from the Minnesota Twins. Andrew Morris would have been next in line to start big league games, if needed. Then this weekend, he landed on the Saints’ injured list.

Pierson Ohl was promoted to St. Paul on Monday, where he will be inserted into the rotation. His prospect does not shine like those who recently have come up and struggled (David Festa, Simeon Woods Richardson, and Zebby Matthews).

Related: Expect More Minnesota Twins “Openers”

It remains to be seen if Gillispie will work his way into the Minnesota Twins plans.They could have rostered Richard Lovelady for the bullpen, and turned to Wentz if in need of a starter. Lovelady recently opted out of his minor league deal with the Twins, after posting a 1.31 ERA across 20 2/3 innings with the Saints.

He signed Monday with the New York Mets.