Minnesota Twins Looking For More Bullpen Help

The Minnesota Twins open their 2025 regular season on Thursday in St. Louis as they take on the Cardinals. Pablo Lopez is set to take the mound against former Twin, Sonny Gray. However, the Twins have received some tough injury news in the days leading up to Opening Day, especially in the infield and bullpen.

Young former top draft picks, Brooks Lee and Royce Lewis, will both miss the 2025 regular season opener, as they rehab from their latest bouts vs the injury bug. Manager Rocco Baldelli also informed Rule 5 draftee, Eiberson Castellanos, that he would not make the opening roster, meaning he’s likely moving on from his new team.

Minnesota Twins facing roster questions ahead of Opening Day

The Minnesota Twins essentially had four position players competing for three of the spots. Edouard Julien, Mickey Gasper, DaShawn Keirsey Jr. and Austin Martin were all vying to make the Opening Day roster. It was announced Monday that Gasper and Keirsey Jr. will make the roster, while Austin Martin goes back to Triple A.

However, with reliever Brock Stewart among the many Twins bullpen pitchers who will start the season on injured reserve, the Twins still have a spot to fill in the bullpen. According to Dan Hayes of The Athletic, they’d like to go outside the organization to find their guy.

With Stewart headed to the IL, the Twins are searching for the final reliever in their bullpen. That reliever may not currently be part of the organization.

If Stewart — who topped out at 96 mph in a minor-league game on Saturday — is only out a short time…the Twins are likely to scour the waiver wire or search for pitchers with opt-outs or upward mobility clauses.

Dan Hayes – The Athletic

How could the Twins fill this spot?

Minnesota Twins president of baseball operations, Derek Falvey probably won’t make a big move to fill this roster spot. As long as he can get healthy, this is Brock Stewart’s spot on the 26-man. But with Michael Tonkin and Justin Topa dealing with injuries of their own, this is a very interesting developing situation for the Twins’ bullpen.

It remains to be seen who could be on the Twins radar, but it’s pretty clear that whoever it is, they’re not currently in camp, or in the organization. After a horrendous collapse to end the 2024 season, the MN Twins are looking to reclaim the AL Central for the second time in three seasons. Healthy could very well determine that future.

Related: MN Twins Opening Day Roster Starting to Take Shape

If Lee, Stewart, and Lewis can return from their injuries and this team’s heavy hitters (Carlos Correa, Byron Buxton, Pablo Lopez, Joe Ryan) can stay relatively healthy, the sky is the limit for the 2025 Minnesota Twins because talent isn’t an issue.