MN Twins’ Best Starter Returns vs Red Sox

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Taj Bradley, Minnesota Twins
Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Entering this season, the Minnesota Twins believed Pablo Lopez and Joe Ryan would be the one-two punch that would help the starting rotation carry this team to success in 2026. That dream ended before it began when Pablo Lopez suffered a torn UCL and needed Tommy John surgery during Spring Training.

The depth of Derek Shelton’s starting rotation has been continually tested ever since. Through the injury fog, however, we’ve seen other starters step up to keep the 24-27 Twins’ season afloat. But through 51 games, nobody has answered the call better than Taj Bradley.

It didn’t take long for the 25-year-old — who was acquired at the trade deadline last summer from Tampa Bay, in exchange for top reliever Griffin Jax — to step up in place of Lopez. Eight starts in, Bradley owns a career-best 2.87 ERA (3.48 FIP) and a 52/17 K/BB ratio.

Taj Bradley returns for Minnesota Twins

That’s what made Bradley’s recent trip to the injured list so unfortunate. Thankfully, unlike his new teammate and expected Twins ace, Taj’s stay on the IL (pectoral inflammation) was brief. Just 18 days since his last start, Minnesota’s top pitcher in 2026 will return to the mound on Saturday afternoon in Boston.

Taj Bradley last pitched on May 5 against the Washington Nationals. The news was first broken by Twins.TV play-by-play broadcaster, Cory Provus. Not long after, the Twins updated Bradley as their probable starter for Saturday’s game two.

This is huge news for a Minnesota Twins team that has won four of its last five games and eight of its last twelve. Bradley may be young, but for a guy with three previous years of big league experience, this is the most complete he has ever looked.

Taj Bradley is throwing his fastball harder than ever before (96.5 mph average) and he’s seemingly mastered the zone, which has been an issue previously during his career. It helps when your offspeed stuff is as nasty as Bradley’s.

Twins DFA Luis Garcia to make room for Bradley

To clear space on the 26-man for Bradley, the Twins have DFA’d 39-year-old Luis Garcia, who hits waivers with a 10.38 ERA and 1.846 WHIP in 8.2 innings pitched with the Twins this season.

This is the second time Garcia has been let go by an MLB team in 2026. The Mets did the same back in April, after he posted a 9.00 ERA in 15 innings out of the gates.

Taj made a single rehab appearance with Triple-A St. Paul in which he pitched 1 2/3 innings allowing one run on two hits with three strikeouts and two walks on 48 pitches.

It remains to be seen what sort of leash Shelton has Bradley on Saturday. Minnesota won 8-6 against the Red Sox on Friday, but starter Connor Prielipp went just four innings, resulting in the Twins using four relievers.

Boston will counter with former MN Twins reliever

Like the MN Twins, the Boston Red Sox had Saturday’s starter listed as “TBD” going into the series as well. On Friday night they announced it would be former Twins reliever Jovani Moran in an opener capacity.

Last offseason the Minnesota Twins sent left-hander Jovani Moran to Boston for Mario…er…Mickey Gasper. Gasper played in 45 games last season with Minnesota and batted .158 with a .488 OPS. He’s now back with the Red Sox and appeared in the game on Friday night.

Moran has been one of the Red Sox best relievers this season. Across 25 2/3 innings the 29-year-old has a 2.81 ERA with a 29/14 K/BB. He’ll give Minnesota southpaw look before turning the ball over to bulk arm Brayan Bello. Bello has struggled this year and owns a 7.16 ERA (6.06 FIP) in 44 innings pitched.

A win for Minnesota would give the Twins a 4-1 season series lead, and wrap up the victory over Boston from a head-to-head perspective for 2026.

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