Twins Free Up Roster Spots, Make New Signings Official

In recent days the Minnesota Twins have finally opened up their wallet. Questions have lingered about just how much spending power the team truly has at its disposal. Still, they carved out $9 million to split between reliever Taylor Rogers and catcher Victor Caratini.

The addition of Caratini behind the dish is something of a curious one. Especially after trading for Alex Jackson earlier this offseason. On the flip side, reuniting with Taylor Rogers is a no-brainer as the bullpen is depleted, and his veteran savvy could steady the ship.

Both free agent signings needed spots on the 40-man roster. With Twins Fest on deck this weekend, the franchise made each deal official and sent a pair of players packing.

Roster moves raise eyebrows for Minnesota Twins

Given that Derek Falvey needed to add both a pitcher and a position player to the 40-man roster, corresponding moves had to be made. One of the moves is a bit surprising.

To make room on the 40 man roster, we have designated C Jhonny Pereda and RHP Pierson Ohl for release or assignment

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) January 24, 2026

Minnesota made their two newest free agent signings official on Friday night. They’ll also immediately welcome both Taylor Rogers and Victor Caratini to Twins Fest with frigid temperatures on Saturday.

Jhonny Pereda was a late-season addition last year for the Minnesota Twins to help behind the plate. He wasn’t a catcher that Rocco Baldelli wanted to play, so it’s not exactly shocking that he’s now been sent packing. The addition of Caratini makes it a glut of option-less players at the position. Especially if a trade isn’t coming.

The surprise move was designating Pierson Ohl for assignment. The 26-year-old has seen an impressive rise through the minors and made his big league debut last year. He worked as a reliever, but posted middling results. Still, you’d certainly think there are better days ahead.

Ohl pitched in 14 games and started three of them. Across 30 innings he owned a 5.10 ERA (4.20 FIP) with a 27/7 K/BB. It was the 11.4 H/9 that did him in, but he wasn’t exactly put in the best positions.

It would be surprising to see a team not claim Ohl. He still has three minor league options, and you could do a lot worse than a guy who carried a 2.40 ERA across 71 1/3 minor league innings last year.

40 man roster problems for MN Twins

It’s difficult to make a serious argument that the Minnesota Twins have significant fat to cut from their 40-man roster on the pitching side. John Klein and Andrew Morris were offseason additions, and Eric Orze was added to pitch in the bullpen this year.

On the position player side though, that’s where things get dicey. The three catchers don’t work together when it comes to filling out the 26-man. Tristan Gray, Ryan Kreidler, and Eric Wagaman are also all redundant when it comes to utility options.

There’s a collection of corner outfield options that won’t all have a pathway to playing time either. Right now Minnesota is probably establishing a baseline. It’s not clear they are pushing the water level up in doing so, however.