Minnesota Twins Load Up 40-Man Roster With New Additions, Swing a Trade

Tuesday represented the deadline for the Minnesota Twins to protect Rule 5 Draft eligible players to their 40-man roster in order to protect them from the Rule 5 Draft.

The Twins had a few obvious candidates but team president Derek Falvey and his front office wound up utilizing all seven of the open roster spots he and his front office had available.

Six prospects added to MN Twins 40-man roster

Cinch candidates like Connor Prielipp and Kendry Rojas were both added, as was outfielder Gabriel Gonzalez and right-handed pitcher Andrew Morris. The additions of (OF) Hendry Mendez and ((RHP) John Klein are something of a surprise.

Prielipp, Rojas, Morris, and Gonzalez are already at Triple-A. Prielipp has struggled to stay healthy, but worked up to 82 2/3 innings this season, in which he posted a 4.03 ERA between Double and Triple-A. The lanky lefty also also toted an impressive carried 10.7 K/9.

Minnesota would love for him to be a frontline starter, but there’s potential he becomes the next dominant reliever too. Both Rojas and Morris will be depth arms for the starting rotation going into 2026.

The former was acquired in the Louie Varland and Ty France trade, with the Toronto Blue Jays. Rojas has as much upside as any starting arm in the organization.Gonzalez, meanwhile, was the key cog to the Jorge Polanco trade.

After a poor 2024, he responded with a .909 OPS split across three levels. Just 21 and already at Triple-A, he could quickly be a corner outfield option for the Minnesota Twins. Neither Mendez or Klein were unworthy candidates, either.

Mendez had a .911 OPS at Double-A after being acquired for Harrison Bader. Minnesota is potentially eyeing him as a first base option. Klein was undrafted, and the Brooklyn Park native made his way to Triple-A this season.

A few notable names to be left off the 40-man roster, and therefore eligible to be taken in the Rule 5 Draft, include Kala’i Rosario, C.J. Culpepper, Kyler Fedko, Cory Lewis, and Tanner Schobel.

Eric Orze adds to Twins bullpen in Rays trade

Beyond just adding their own prospects, the Twins also made a trade to take up the final roster spot on Tuesday. A swap with the Tampa Bay Rays has worked out in their favor before, and they are hopeful it can again.

Orze was a 5th round pick by the New York Mets in 2020. He spent 2025 with the Mets, and made 33 big league appearances. Orze owned a 3.02 ERA (4.05 FIP) across 41 2/3 innings in New York. He posted a 40/19 K/BB. With a bullpen needing an overhaul, it appears Orze is the first addition to the group.

Minnesota took Jacob Kisting in the 14th round of the 2024 draft. The 22-year-old had a 3.79 ERA in 73 2/3 innings during his first year of professional baseball.

The Twins will need to make corresponding moves as they sign free agents this offseason. For now, they have a full 40-man roster.