Minnesota Twins Re-Sign Oft-Injured (but Extremely Promising) Prospect

Early on this season, the Minnesota Twins have done all sorts of roster shuffling, a reflection of their incredibly slow start. Recently, former top prospect Diego Cartaya was outrighted off the 40-man roster.

Rather than choosing someone internally, the Twins immediately used the opening to acquire Kody Clemens, son of Roger Clemens, after hot-starting top prospect Luke Keaschall broke his forearm.

Before that, it was Matt Canterino who was dealt the same hand, outrighted off the 40-man roster on April 18, then ultimately released less than a week later, following yet another season-ending injury.

Matt Canterino re-signs with Minnesota Twins

Now facing his third shoulder injury in as many years, the 27-year-old’s chances of making it to the big leagues felt further away recently, than ever before. That was until Monday evening, when the Twins re-signed Canterino to a two-year deal that will allow him to rehab with the team, then try to work his way back with a clear path to the MLB, if he can still pitch effectively.

Twins have signed RHP Matt Canterino, who hasn’t pitched a regular season game since July 30, 2022 (1,003 days ago) and who is out for this season after another shoulder surgery, to a two-year minor-league contract. Neither side is giving up, apparently.

— Phil Miller (@MillerStrib) April 28, 2025

Because Canterino was injured, and he was not subject to traditional waivers. In order for another team to claim him, the former 2nd round pick would’ve needed to be on that team’s 40-man roster. And once he hit free agency, Canterino and the Twins were able to strike a deal that worked for both sides.

Related: Minnesota Twins Reveal Details on Matt Wallner Injury Timeline

Short of Grapefruit League action, Canterino has not shown up in a professional game since 2022. Yet, the Minnesota Twins kept him on the 40-man roster for three years, due to his uncanny ability to get batters out, when healthy. Once this latest injury hit, however, it was time to make room for someone else.

Twins aren’t crazy for Matt Canterino belief

It has been a litany of issues for the former Rice Owl. He has dealt with both elbow and shoulder problems. But if Matt Canterino can ever stay healthy, the Twins will likely be vindicated for their continued belief in the right-handed starter. You can’t blame them.

Whenever he is on the mound, Matt Canterino has been an out machine, posting a 1.48 ERA and 0.859 WHIP across 85 professional inning. Oh, and he struck out 130 batters during that stretch.

Great to see Matt Canterino back in game action as he pitched 2 innings yesterday in Spring Training 💪

He had 9 whiffs on the day including 3 strikeouts in his first game back in almost 2 years🔥#MNTwins pic.twitter.com/GirRbHm9J8

— Twins Player Development (@TwinsPlayerDev) March 1, 2024

Matt Canterino certainly has the stuff to be a top-end reliever! The question is, can he execute on it? pic.twitter.com/evyyCF7KRp

— Pitch Profiler (@pitchprofiler) February 25, 2025

Minnesota was unwilling to use a 60-day major league injured list spot on Canterino in recent seasons. That would have cost them roughly $700,000. The minor league deal Canterino is now back on, is likely substantially less than that number.

At next to nothing from a financial outlay, there’s no reason for the Twins to stop working with Canterino and trying to coax him to the big leagues. He has swing-and-miss stuff with a high-octane fastball. It has been a road filled with potholes, but it only takes one surgery to go right for everything to change.

Many pitchers have quit and hung them up when faced with the level of adversity Canterino has seen. He’s clearly a competitor and willing to put in the work. This would be something of an all-time comeback story if he can make it happen.