Twins Part Ways with Former Star Closer

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Liam Hendriks, Minnesota Twins
Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

We are now less than a week away from the Minnesota Twins opening the 2026 regular season in Baltimore. Derek Shelton still has more cuts to make before settling on his final 26-man roster, but the picture is becoming clearer by the day.

Several positions appear to be locked in. Minnesota is going to carry two catchers, leaving veteran backstop Alex Jackson without a spot. Whether that means he’s eventually traded or the Twins are forced to DFA him, is yet to be seen.

Liam Hendriks fails to make Minnesota Twins cut

Meanwhile, over in the bullpen, the MN Twins made their first major surprise roster move of the spring, informing former star closer Liam Hendriks, that he isn’t going to make the Opening Day roster. Thus, Hendriks will exercise an option in his contract that allows him to go back on the open market.

The Minnesota Twins originally signed Hendriks as a teenager out of Australia in February 2007. He made his MLB debut with the franchise in 2011, before falling out of favor as a starting pitcher prospect and eventually being DFA’d following the 2013 season.

From there, he transitioned to the bullpen and became one of the most dominant closers in baseball, making multiple All Star appearances with the Athletics and White Sox. During his prime, Hendriks regularly sat at 97 mph on the radar gun.

This spring, after years of cancer treatments and recovery from Tommy John surgery, the now 37-year-old averaged 93.9 mph in 2026 Grapefruit League action. That’s not bad, given the circumstances. But without his velo, Hendriks isn’t the same pitcher.

In exhibition appearances for the Minnesota Twins, Hendriks allowed just two runs on seven hits across six innings. He also struck out four batters and walked three.

There are plenty of soft-tossing arms projected to make the Minnesota Twins bullpen. Taylor Rogers and Kody Funderburk are two, albeit lefties, that rarely ratchet it up. The group as a whole was also blown up from the top down during last summer’s trade deadline.

If Hendriks isn’t deemed worthy of making one of the worst projected bullpens in baseball, then it may be the end of the line for him. Or, it’s possible that the Twins made a mistake and another team gives him a shot.

MN Twins bullpen gets clarity

With the removal of Hendriks from camp, the bullpen is now starting to take shape. It can be safely assumed that Taylor Rogers, Anthony Banda, Cole Sands, and Justin Topa are all in. Eric Orze and Andrew Chafin should make it as well.

Kody Funderburk has thrown well enough to grab a spot, but he would be a third lefty. And, he also has minor league options remaining. If he makes the group, there’s one spot left.

I’d like to see Cody Laweryson get the nod. He presents more upside than veterans like Dan Altavilla or Matt Bowman. The Twins let Laweryson go earlier this offseason before bringing him back, though, so who knows what they really think of him.

Rotation for Minnesota Twins looks set too

Beyond just releasing Hendriks, the Twins sent Zebby Matthews to minor league camp, meaning he’ll open the year with Triple-A St. Paul. Joe Ryan, on the other hand, will officially start Opening Day. In no particular order, he’s going to be followed by Taj Bradley, Simeon Woods Richardson, Mick Abel, and…Bailey Ober.

Matthews didn’t exactly put a strong step forward this spring allowing nine runs (seven earned) in just 11 innings. He had a 9/4 K/BB and wasn’t as sharp as you’d like to see an MLB starter.

Zebby had a 5.56 ERA last season, but his 3.79 FIP was more encouraging and suggested there may still be another level there. Even so, the Twins appear more comfortable going with Ober — despite his fastball topping out around 88 MPH and his own comments suggesting his body may be failing him

To his credit, Ober has allowed just two runs in 8 2/3 innings this spring. Nonetheless, his 3/3 K/BB ratio, -2 mph on his fastball are extremely concerning for a starter the MN Twins need to rely on.

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