Minnesota Twins Sign Their New/Old Closer

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Taylor Rogers
Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

There are only a few weeks left until the Minnesota Twins take over Fort Myers, Florida to kick off 2026 Spring Training. When we woke up this morning, though, the Twins had yet to address their most glaring need.

Outside of a a couple moves he’s made around the edges, team president Derek Falvey has done nothing to fix the currently non-operational bullpen that he and Joe Pohlad nuked at the 2025 trade deadline. That changed on Thursday, even if the move doesn’t move the needle like it once did.

Taylor Rogers returns to Minnesota Twins

Because the Minnesota Twins signed an old friend, and former All-Star closer today, in left-handed reliever Taylor Rogers. That’s right, three short seasons after Falvey dealt him to the Padres in exchange for Brent Rooker, Chris Paddack and Emilio Pagan, the now 35-year-old lefty is back for a one-year, $2 million reunion tour.

Originally drafted by Minnesota in the 11th round of the 2012 MLB Draft, out of Kentucky, Rogers has spent the vast almost his entire professional career with the Twins. In 2021 he was named to the All-Star Game in his home state of Colorado.

Related: New BA Top 100 Prospects Littered with MLB-Ready MN Twins

Since leaving the Twins, Rogers has pitched for five different teams. Last season, between the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs, he posted a 3.38 ERA (4.38 FIP) with a 9.4 K/9. In 2024 with the Giants, Rogers owned a career-low 2.40 ERA (3.75 FIP).

It’s important to note that Taylor Rogers hasn’t operated as a regular closer since leaving the Padres midseason 2022. In fact, he hasn’t recorded a save in either of his last two seasons.

But for now, given what the Minnesota Twins bullpen looks like, he’s the clear-cut favorite to resume his role at the back of the bullpen. Rogers will come in as the Twins’ second southpaw option, next to Kody Funderburk.

State of Twins bullpen: Still in Shambles

With Rogers in tow, the MN Twins have a more workable bullpen than they did without him. So that’s good, right? Taylor will join a reliever group that currently includes Justin Topa, Cole Sands, Kody Funderburk, and Eric Orze.

They’re also bringing veteran pitcher Dan Altavilla to Spring Training to see if he can earn a spot in the mix. That’s six of the eight spots, so Falvey still has a lot of work to do if the 2026 Twins bullpen is going to be ready by Opening Day.

Related: Minnesota Twins Preparing for a Trade?

While he combs the market for more clearance rack talent, Minnesota is expected to look for help internally, too. They have a litany of young MLB-ready pitchers who have struggled busting into the big leagues as a starter, either because they’ve underachieved in that role or can’t stay healthy.

Both Travis Adams and Pierson Ohl worked as converted starters last season. Marco Raya is a logical fit to go down that path this season, but struggled mightily at Triple-A (6.02 ERA). We could even see a guy like David Festa in the bullpen, if he shows up healthy to Fort Myers.

Ultimately, if Tom Pohlad wants to fulfill his promise and make the Minnesota Twins a playoff contender again next season, he’s going to have to open up that pocketbook and spend some of the cash recently freed up by the acquisition of multiple minority partners.

So far, however, that press conference has shown to be nothing but more lip service from a family that should have sold their Major League Baseball team decades ago.

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