Thankfully there was some good news on Tuesday as infielder Luke Keaschall is active for the first time since he broke his arm at the end of late-April. He’s joined by recently claimed Thomas Hatch.

Now the Twins scoured the waiver wire once again and landed on yet another veteran arm. Welcome to the circus Brooks Kriske.

Brooks Kriske joins Minnesota Twins active roster.

Minnesota is considering adding former Chicago Cubs closer Ryan Pressly. He would represent the best arm in their depleted bullpen. Brooks Kriske is not that, but he’s the arm joining them for now.

The Twins claimed RHP Brooks Kriske off waivers from the Cubs. He pitched six scoreless innings over four appearances.

He’s expected to be available in Detroit on Wednesday.

— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) August 5, 2025

Kriske was a sixth round pick by the New York Yankees way back in 2016. He debuted when no one could watch him pitch during 2020. This season the 31-year-old made four appearances for the Cubs.

Witch Chicago, Kriske turned in six scoreless innings allowing just two hits. Unfortunately he walked five and struck out just four. Across 31 2/3 innings at Triple-A Iowa, Kriske owned a 3.13 ERA with a 52/10 K/BB.

Related: Luke Keaschall Activated by Minnesota Twins

If the Twins get the Triple-A version of Kriske there may be something to work with. He’s a veteran journeyman with an 8.78 ERA in 27 2/3 innings across four big league seasons though. I certainly wouldn’t hold my breath.

Minnesota completes six pack of roster moves

When you have a roster full of holdover talent, it’s pretty simple to shuffle deck chairs like you’re on the sinking Titanic. After a 6-3 loss against Detroit on Monday night, Minnesota made another group of roster moves.

We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/fZ3kPLeZV2

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) August 5, 2025

We knew about some of them, but it was Darren McCaughan who was DFA’d to make room for Kriske. Earlier this year McCaughan pitched for the Twins and he turned in 5 1/3 innings of one-run ball on five hits. He had a 6/1 K/BB and showed a bit more upside than Kriske brings.

Related: Byron Buxton Rejected Multiple Trade Inquiries Before Deadline

Either way, the Twins appear content to change faces in the bullpen and will hope to catch lightning in a bottle long enough to survive down the stretch.

He played just seven games before being hit on the forearm with a pitch. On April 25 he fractured the bone and has been out since. Now ready to rejoin the team, things have changed immensely.

The team went through a 13-game winning streak and then were unstable towards the trade deadline. They completed and unexplainable selloff and the final stretch is all about the future. Thankfully Keaschall is still part of that.

Minnesota Twins ready Luke Keaschall for return

After making the trip to Detroit following another series loss against the Cleveland Guardians, the Minnesota Twins had a new player in the clubhouse. They needed to add a boatload of minor leaguers following the trade deadline selloff, but Keaschall is a top tier option.

#MNTwins will activate Luke Keaschall off the IL on Tuesday. Also adding pitcher Thomas Hatch.

DaShawn Keirsey and Noah Davis optioned to Triple A to make space.

— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) August 5, 2025

Keaschall has been considered a top 100 prospect as he has ascended the ranks for the Minnesota Twins. He elevated himself to major league status this season, and looked like he belonged in the short time he was there.

Across just seven games with Minnesota, Keaschall went 7-for-19 with three doubles and five walks. He struck out just twice. Keaschall also set a Major League Baseball record with five consecutive successful stolen bases to start his career.

It would be unlikely to think he’ll return from an extended absence and be an immediate boost to the Twins lineup. However, Edouard Julien made a boneheaded play not running out a triple on Sunday, and his playing time has been diminished in multiple recent seasons.

Related: One Minnesota Twins Pitcher Devastated by Trade

Rocco Baldelli will give Keaschall all he can handle down the stretch. The infielder finished his 14-game rehab assignment with St. Paul going 13-for-49 with a double, triple, and 6/8 K/BB with seven stolen bases.

Despite appearing in 67 games for Minnesota, DaShawn Keirsey Jr. has just 85 plate appearances and only nine hits. Noah Davis, who blew Travis Adams’ first start on Monday night, is headed to Triple-A as well.

Simeon Woods Richardson out for MN Twins too

Keaschall is not the only change to the Minnesota Twins roster. Of course when you trade nearly 40% of it, that’s going to be the case. Starting pitcher Simeon Woods Richardson is now headed to the injured list as well.

Simeon Woods Richardson, who was pushed back from his scheduled start Sunday, was placed on the 15-day IL with an illness. He was battling a stomach issue, Rocco Baldelli said.

Darren McCaughan was called up from AAA.

— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) August 4, 2025

It has been rocky at points for the Twins, but Simeon Woods Richardson owns a 4.24 ERA (4.71 FIP) across 17 outings (16 starts). He has thrown 80 2/3 innings with a 69/35 K/BB. Woods Richardson had two ugly starts in June, but he posted a 3.22 ERA (5.66 FIP) in five July starts.

There’s a lot of smoke and mirrors to his production, but the Twins need him to be a steadying presence with so much youth in the rotation. Now on the shelf, Darren McCaughan comes up to take his place.

Related: Minnesota Twins Claim Yet Another Pitcher

McCaughan pitched earlier this season for Minnesota and generated a 1.69 ERA (1.42 FIP) across 5 1/3 innings in three games. He’s not a starter but did operate as one in 10-of-17 appearances for Triple-A St. Paul this year.

With the Saints McCaughan owns a 5.35 ERA and 66/25 K/BB across 72 1/3 innings. He’ll give Baldelli yet another option to simply put on the mound in hopes of generating outs.

It’s difficult to win baseball games with underwhelming pitching combined with abysmal hitting, something that the MN Twins have found out first hand to start the 2025 MLB regular season. Of course, much of that is to do with early injury issues.

The Twins infield is without Brooks Lee, who is on a rehab assignment, and Royce Lewis. Earlier this week, they lost Pablo Lopez, who is expected to be replaced by David Festa in the rotation, at least for this weekend. Meanwhile, Minnesota’s bullpen has had its own injury issues, going back to spring training.

That’s what got right-handed reliever Darren McCaughan called up by the Twins on March 31, after they signed him to a minor league deal over the offseason. McCaughan was immediately thrust into cleanup duty later that evening, in a blowout loss vs the Chicago White Sox.

Darren McCaughan re-signs with Minnesota Twins

Over the next week, McCaughan pitched three times for a total of 5.1 pretty impressive innings — 1.69 ERA, 6 K, 1 BB, 1.40 FIP. But in the last of his three outings (April 6), the 29-year-old veteran out of Long Beach, CA threw 22 pitches against the Houston Astros (0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1BB), and was DFA’d the next day.

On Friday, after looking around Thursday for a team that might need a big league bullpen arm more immediately, McCaughan signed a minor league deal with the Twins, and was placed on the St. Paul Saints roster.

Darren McCaughan is re-signing with the Twins on a minor league deal after he cleared waivers and elected free agency.

— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) April 11, 2025

Darren McCaughan’s success with the Twins earlier this season was an outlier, compared to the rest of his career. In four years of MLB service time, McCaughan has tossed 61.1 major league innings, where he holds an unimpressive 6.02 ERA and 1.565 WHIP.

Related: New Day, New Minnesota Twins Top Prospect Injured

That’s not the guy we saw on the mound a week ago, though, which is why I expect McCaughan to get another shot with the Minnesota Twins, sooner than later. All it takes is something unfortunate to happen in the bullpen.

Chris Paddack struggled again, and was pulled after just four innings (7 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 K), meaning the MN Twins bullpen were needed for six innings of work. As has been the case multiple times already this season, Rocco Baldelli’s relief corps now needs fresh arms.

Unlike Randy Dobnak — who made the Minnesota Twins Opening Day roster because his contract allows the organization to call him up and send him down (via DFA + waivers) as many times as they want — RHP Scott Blewett is out of minor league options and not under the type of deal that will allow him to clear waivers.

Scott Blewett back in the big leagues for Minnesota Twins

That’s why the Twins needed to stash him on the farm until they were certain his role had some staying power. Now appears to be that time because Monday morning, the MN Twins announced that Scott Blewett’s contract was being selected from Triple-A St. Paul.

In a corresponding move, right-handed reliever Darren McCaughan was designated for assignment where he will now be subject to waivers, allowing any MLB team to purchase his contract and place him on their 26-man roster.

We have made the following roster move: pic.twitter.com/M1bbaA6Ftn

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) April 7, 2025

McCaughan, who was promoted from St. Paul on March 31, threw 22 pitches on Sunday, where he got just two outs, while one run on two hits (1 BB). The Twins used the 29-year-old veteran reliever for 5 1/3 innings across three games in one week’s time.

And in his emergency spot duty, McCaughan delivered with a very impressive 6/1 K/BB ratio, 1.69 ERA and 1.40 FIP, by far his best stretch of big league pitching in his 61.1 career innings pitched. If he isn’t claimed, no doubt he will get another shot in the 2025 MN Twins bullpen.

What does Blewett bring to Twins bullpen?

Last season Blewett threw 20 1/3 innings for the Minnesota Twins. He carried a 1.77 ERA and had an 18/8 K/BB. It was his first season back in the big leagues after pitching in 2020 and 2021 with the Kansas City Royals. Blewett had a 2.79 ERA during 9 2/3 innings of Grapefruit League action.

Scott Blewett is NOT living up to his name this spring, registering another great performance!

The 28-year-old righty seems determined not to blow it, posting a 1.50 ERA this spring! pic.twitter.com/Jh7Jx98dlh

— Pitch Profiler (@pitchprofiler) March 17, 2025

Minnesota pushed Blewett’s velocity up to a 93.7 mph average in 2024. He leaned heavily on his four-seam fastball and sinker, while also sprinkling in a slider. Rocco Baldelli will use Blewett in similar low-leverage spots that were picked for McCaughan.

He will look to provide better results than the three runs he’s allowed in 2 1/3 innings down with the Saints. Given how well McCaughan pitched when called upon, they must have confidence Blewett will be better on the big league bump.

Related: Glen Taylor Teased Again as Potential MN Twins Buyer

There is still plenty of time for the Minnesota Twins to turn their 2025 luck around. Remember, this is pretty much the same team that was 17 games over .500 last August. They’ve lost four of five games outside the division so far this season (swept in St. Louis, lost two of three vs Houston).

MN Twins starters must be better in Kansas City

The Twins’ only series win came against the lowly Chicago White Sox. They’ll get a chance at their second AL Central rival this week, with a four-game set against the Kansas City Royals. Simeon Woods Richardson will take the ball on Monday, into Pablo Lopez Tuesday, Joe Ryan Wednesday and Bailey Ober on getaway Thursday.

If the Twins are going to turn things around, then they’ll need strong performances from their starters at Kauffman Stadium. Woods Richardson is making his second start of the season. He allowed 2 runs on 5 hits (1 BB) in his first outing vs the White Sox.

After a rough Opening Day outing (5 IP, 4 R, 2 ER) Pablo Lopez recovered in his second start of the young season, which came against the Houston Astros, pitching 7 solid innings, striking out 5 Astros hitters while allowing just 1 run on 4 hits (1 BB).

Pablo López, 96mph Paint. 🖌️🎨 pic.twitter.com/qJmgVW4khd

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 2, 2025

Joe Ryan has gone 5 innings in each of his two starts, but the 28-year-old righty struggled in his last outing vs Houston, allowing 4 earned runs on 5 hits (2 HR, 5 K). Bailey Ober struggled in his first start of the season (game 3 vs the Cardinals), where he allowed 2 runs on 5 hits (4 IP).

Related: Return is Near for One Injured Twins Infielder; The Other… Not So Much

He was better in his start vs Houston (3 H, 1 ER, 5 K), but only lasted four innings because of his high 84 pitch count.The Royals had Ober’s number last year, too. In three games, Kansas City posted a .322/.344/.695 line against the 29-year-old righty, scoring 14 runs on 19 hits in 13 1/3 innings.

On the bright side, the Minnesota Twins lineup has scored at least six runs in four of their last five games. That production continuing would be great to see, and should help to save both the rotation and bullpen. Last year the Twins went 7-6 against the Royals. They had a -2 run differential.

Getaway day on Sunday vs Cards was particularly ugly. Bailey Ober was rocked, thanks to his stuff being diminished by a flu-type sickness that had him on an IV receiving fluids Sunday morning. He lasted just 2 2/3 innings, allowing eight runs on 8 hits, 3 walks and just 3 strikeouts.

Randy Dobnak was then summoned to bail out the bullpen. After two more innings (mid-5th), the game was delayed by rain. Surprisingly, when it resumed 58 minutes later, Dobnak was back on the mound. He finished the game, then was immediately informed he was being DFA’d, following the game.

Darren McCaughan joins Minnesota Twins in Chicago

With Dobnak’s roster spot now open, the Twins are turning to 29-year-old veteran tweener MLB RHP, Darren McCaughan — who signed in Minnesota this offseason — and can fill the same type of long-reliever role as the bearded righty he is replacing.

The Twins have selected the contract of Darren McCaughan to take Dobnak's place on the roster. https://t.co/WqfNRSSS2u

— Ted (@tlschwerz) March 31, 2025

Darren McCaughan allowed five runs on ten hits during six Grapefruit League innings this spring. He did post a solid 7/1 K/BB, however. McCaughan has thrown 56 major league innings during the course of his MLB career. Last season, he pitched 42 total innings (6.21 ERA, 6.12 FIP) between the Miami Marlins and Cleveland Guardians.

Expectations shouldn’t be high for McCaughan as he has allowed 45 runs (40 earned) during his big league tenure. Last year McCaughan worked as a started at Triple-A and owned a 4.73 ERA across 85 2/3 innings. Despite just a 6.4 K/9 at the major league level, he struck out 92 in the minors last year.

Solid start by Darren McCaughan. Final line: 5IP, 7H, 3R, 2BB, 5K, 85-52. pic.twitter.com/JRhE4Lf0XR

— Mariners Minors (@MiLBMariners) August 5, 2023

The arsenal for McCaughan is limited. He throws his fastball at 89.4 mph and just under 20% of the time. His sinker sits roughly the same speed, and he turns to that 31% of the time. He pairs those two with a slider and changeup.

McCaughan was a 12th round pick during the 2017 MLB Draft by the Seattle Mariners. He reached the majors with them in 2021, but didn’t pitch at the highest level in 2022.

Why are the Minnesota Twins shuffling the bullpen?

The move to McCaughan is about length. He can play the same role that Dobnak did and provides a fresh arm. Unlike Dobnak, McCaughan isn’t as surefire of a bet to stay in the organization once he is optioned. He has no remaining minor league options available, and will need to clear waivers in order to eventually return to Triple-A.

That move is likely to come whenever Brock Stewart or Michael Tonkin are healthy. Minnesota is hoping that one or both of that pair are ready to rock in the next week or so.

Related: Minnesota Twins DFA Everyone’s Favorite Bearded Pitcher

Someone like Scott Blewett would be a better bullpen option from a stuff standpoint, but the Twins don’t want to lose him. Blewett too is out of options, and he would likely be claimed if sent through waivers. Rather than waste him early in the season for a role that could last a week, McCaughan becomes an expendable resource.

It’s also likely that McCaughan passes through waivers unclaimed given his track record, and the Twins could keep their roster flexibility. Minnesota kicks off a three-game series against the White Sox on Monday before their home opener against Houston on Thursday.

In this bad dream, he finds out of a devastating spring injury to one of a few cornerstone pieces to this summer’s roster, and it costs a talented Twins team their season. If that nightmare becomes reality again in 2025, after injuries to Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa caused a momentum-crippling second half collapse in 2024, it could cost Rocco his job.

Related: 2025 Minnesota Twins Opening Day Roster Projection (2.0)

That’s why Sunday was nearly as difficult for the manager as it was the player, when once-blossoming star Royce Lewis suffered a hamstring injury vs the Red Sox that will reportedly keep him off the 26-man Opening Day roster.

Rocco Baldelli makes three more cuts for Minnesota Twins

Speaking of the Twins’ current roster, which needs to be cut down to 26 players by this coming Sunday, it got another haircut on Tuesday morning, a spring trim that included catcher Jair Camargo, along with pitchers Darren McCaughan and Huascar Ynoa.

Twins made another round of roster cuts today: catcher Jair Camargo and pitchers Darren McCaughan and Huascar Ynoa.

— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) March 18, 2025

Today marks the fourth notable cutdown day of Spring Training, so far, and it puts the current Minnesota Twins camp roster at 37. Just a couple days ago, the most recent round of cuts prior to Tuesday’s brought the 2025 roster down from 45 to 40 and helped solidify the starting rotation.

Newly cut MN Twins include: (P) Ynoa, (P) McCaughan, (C) Camargo

Huascar Ynoa gave up three runs on four hits across 4 2/3 innings this spring. The 26-year-old Dominican right-hander struck out four and walked a pair. Ynoa allowed five runs on ten hits but had an impressive 7/1 K/BB.

McCaughan, a 29-year-old MLB tweener prospect with 17 career big league appearances — threw six innings of Grapefruit League action for the Twins down in Florida. The results — 7.50 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and 7 SO in 6 IP — were not all that impressive.

Related: Minnesota Twins Set Starting Rotation, Announce Third Round of Roster Cuts

The only big name out of today’s round of cuts is 25-year-old catcher prospect, Jair Camargo. The right-handed hitting Columbian made his MLB debut last season, where he wound up notching five games of MLB experience (0-for-6 in 7 PA).

Unfortunately, Camargo had a tough spring, going 2-for-18 with 8 strikeouts and 0 walks. Both of his hits came in one really great game last week, where he went 2-for-2 with a 2B, HR and a walk, putting on full display what he can do, when right, and why the MN Twins still believe in him.

Jair Camargo was ripping balls in some Spring Training action yesterday 🚀

He was 2-2 with a 2B, a HR, and a BB

First swing (2B): 105.5mph
Second swing (HR): 107.8mph, 416 feet

So far in the spring, he is batting .385/.429/.769 with a 1.198 OPS‼️#MNTwins pic.twitter.com/R5VuYB2oYO

— Twins Player Development (@TwinsPlayerDev) March 7, 2024

Despite the Twins trading for catching depth in the form of Diego Cartaya this offseason, Camargo still seems to be the next man up. Cartaya played in the Spring Breakout game, but was part of the second round of roster cuts. If both Ryan Jeffers and Christian Vazquez remain healthy and effective for Rocco Baldelli, the aforementioned tandem will remain at Triple-A St. Paul.

What is left to watch for down in Fort Myers?

The Minnesota Twins bullpen still has spots up for grabs but neither Darren McCaughan or Hauscar Ynoa were going to be an option. The latter re-signed with the organization that once dealt him for Jaime Garcia. Ynoa will head to Triple-A and look to work his way back.

Minnesota has just six Grapefruit League games left prior to kicking off the season in St. Louis against the Cardinals. They will need to trim another nine players from the roster. Both Royce Lewis and Michael Tonking remain in camp, but will start the year on the injured list.