Minnesota Twins Set 2026 Opening Day Roster
On Tuesday afternoon the Minnesota Twins blew out the Boston Red Sox to close Grapefruit League action. The 15-6 victory put a stamp on Spring Training, and following a Wednesday off day, the games will count.
New manager Derek Shelton is looking to better a team that went just 72-90 a season ago. Projection systems see them a bit better than that (78 wins), but over/under betting odds have them right at 72.5 wins.
Byron Buxton returned from World Baseball Classic action and homered in three of his final four Spring Training games. He’ll have to be the superstar on the roster this season. The pitching staff won’t be the strength it was assumed before Pablo Lopez was lost for the year unfortunately.
Last round of cuts cements MN Twins roster
While the Minnesota Twins won’t officially make their 2026 Opening Day roster final until Thursday, they have sorted out the remaining camp battles. Following Tuesday’s victory, five players were given their fate.
We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/7QGYJsqPHa
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) March 24, 2026
The notable names here include Dan Altavilla, Matt Bowman, and Orlando Arcia. The former two were both in contention for final spots in the bullpen. Both veterans were passed over for younger options with more potential upside.
Bowman and Altavilla spent time outside of camp representing Israel and Italy respectively in the World Baseball Classic. Both pitched well across their outings this spring however, and could find opportunity elsewhere.
Bowman had trigged his opt-out with the MN Twins on Sunday. That gave the club 48 hours to put him on the active roster, or allow him to test other opportunities.
A former All-Star, Orlando Arcia was in camp competing for the backup shortstop role. He’s now 31 though, and well past his prime. The .262/.305/.451 slash line across 13 games wasn’t enough to beat out previously acquired Tristan Gray for the job.
Minnesota Twins 26-man roster is set
By telling both Bowman and Altavilla they won’t make the Minnesota Twins bullpen, the final two spots are ticketed for Zak Kent and Cody Laweryson. As mentioned, Gray gets the backup shortstop and utility infielder role. Laweryson needs a 40-man spot, but can assume the opening likely vacated by Alex Jackson.
| Name | Position | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Ryan Jeffers | C | 28 |
| Victor Caratini | C/1B | 32 |
| Josh Bell | 1B/DH | 33 |
| Kody Clemens | Util | 29 |
| Tristan Gray | Util | 30 |
| Luke Keaschall | 2B/LF | 23 |
| Brooks Lee | SS | 25 |
| Royce Lewis | 3B | 26 |
| Byron Buxton | CF | 32 |
| Trevor Larnach | LF/DH | 29 |
| Austin Martin | LF/CF | 27 |
| James Outman | CF | 28 |
| Matt Wallner | RF | 28 |
| Joe Ryan | SP | 29 |
| Mick Abel | SP | 24 |
| Simeon Woods Richardson | SP | 25 |
| Bailey Ober | SP | 30 |
| Taj Bradley | SP | 25 |
| Anthony Banda | RP | 32 |
| Kody Funderburk | RP | 29 |
| Zak Kent | RP | 28 |
| Eric Orze | RP | 28 |
| Taylor Rogers | RP | 35 |
| Cole Sands | RP | 28 |
| Justin Topa | RP | 35 |
| Cody Laweryson | RP | 27 |
There will be some rounding nuance, but the MN Twins payroll checks in just above $100 million. Unfortunately for fans, more than $30 million of that number is accounted for by players not contributing to the 2026 team. Carlos Correa ($10M), Pablo Lopez ($21.75M), and Alex Jackson ($1.35M) are all sunk costs.
The total payroll should check in somewhere around 27th on Opening Day. It will be down more than $30 million from 2025, and nearly $60 million from their last postseason appearance in 2023.
It’s unlikely that this iteration of the MN Twins are very good. They could be relatively interesting though. Mick Abel has significant upside in the rotation, and somebody else emerging would be good to see.
Buck pants: Down
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) March 24, 2026
Buck Hit: Gone pic.twitter.com/64ss46Dg9n
Buxton can follow up an MVP-worthy campaign, and Luke Keaschall put up a torrid .377/.411/.717 slash line across 53 at-bats this spring. Regardless as to if or when the wheels fall off, several top prospects should make their way to Target Field for a debut this season as well.
Minnesota will give the ball to Joe Ryan on Opening Day against the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday March 26 at 2:05 pm. Lefty Trevor Rogers will start for the opposition.
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