Minnesota Twins send Michael Helman to St. Louis

Michael Helman made his major league debut for Minnesota last season, which made the utility man a member of the 40-man roster this offseason. In fact, Helman even made the trip to Minneapolis last weekend for Twins Fest. Just a few days later, he was shipped off to St. Louis for “cash considerations”.

We have acquired INF/OF Michael Helman from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for cash considerations.

Our 40-player roster now stands at 40. pic.twitter.com/w88ZnhZ79u

— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) February 6, 2025

We may never know how much money the MN Twins received in this deal, but the money is usually considered inconsequential. In this case, it’s the 40-man roster spot that president Derek Falvey and his front office was seeking to clear.

Helman was an 11th round pick by Minnesota back in 2018. After six seasons in the minor leagues he earned a call-up in 2024. Helman played in nine games for the Minnesota Twins last season. He had three hits in ten at bats. Two of them were doubles, and he scored a pair of runs.

After a slow start to his professional career, Helman found significant success at Triple-A each of the past two seasons. In 2023 he hit .296/.356/.546 across 27 games. Last year he had a .271/.350/.487 slash line.

When #MNTwins rookie Michael Helman turns on the jets, good things happen! Such a smooth slide. 😎 pic.twitter.com/kPq8JFxZHz

— Talkin' Twins (@TalkinTwins) September 10, 2024

Minnesota needed to clear a pair of 40-man spots in order to add their recent free agent acquisitions. The Cardinals trading for Helman allowed them to find one without needing to designate him for assignment.

Related: Minnesota Twins Trying to Add More Infield Depth, Specifically SS

It would have been difficult for Helman to find playing time at the big league level in Minnesota. He is already 28 years old and behind plenty of other utility options. His spot on the 40-man roster was well-earned, but was always going to be difficult to keep.

With the Cardinals, he can compete at multiple positions and look to break Spring Training with the major league club.

Ronny Henriquez DFA’d by MN Twins

On top of clearing a spot by moving Helman, the Minnesota Twins also designated Ronny Henriquez for assignment. He has seen this fate multiple times over his Minnesota career, and the bullpen was going to be tough for him to crack.

To make room on the 40-man roster, we have designated Ronny Henriquez for release or assignment

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) February 7, 2025

Minnesota acquired Henriquez in the Mitch Garver trade with Texas a couple of years ago. He didn’t pitch in the big leagues during 2023 but made a return last season. Across 19 1/3 innings, Henriquez posted a 3.26 ERA with 15 strikeouts.

Related: Minnesota Twins Sign Gold Glove Outfielder

Command has often been the problem for the young reliever. He is still just 24 years old and should have plenty of opportunities in front of him. If the Twins can squeeze him through waivers again, it makes sense to stash him as a depth arm in St. Paul.

The Twins will largely look the same from a roster standpoint in 2025. Rocco Baldelli will have different digits to work with when filling out his lineup card, though.

New numbers for multiple Minnesota Twins

We’re less than a month from pitchers and catchers reporting to Fort Myers for Spring Training. When the Minnesota Twins take the field, a couple of players will have new numbers. Six players will be changing the digits on their jersey.

New (jersey) number, who dis? pic.twitter.com/Ii8ptLTkdQ

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) January 15, 2025

It’s not new that rookies are assigned uniform numbers based on availability. Only Simeon Woods Richardson, of this group, wore his for more than one season. With appearances in both 2022 and 2023, 78 followed him for quite a bit.

Related: Minnesota Twins Sign Boatload of 2025 International Free Agents

Helman takes Nick Gordon’s number, and the hope is that he can be more productive than the former #1. Tsuyoshi Nishioka is probably the most infamous wearer of #1 in Twins franchise history, and we all know how that went.

Brooks Lee wearing #2 reminds me of this legend pic.twitter.com/tzaOqSvTma

— Ryan Linderholm (@LinderholmRyan) January 15, 2025

No one wore number two last year, but Lee will don it in 2025. There have been some very good second baseman in recent franchise history to use that digit. Both Luis Arraez and Brian Dozier come to mind, and its cool to see Lee now have it.

Both Martin and Keirsey Jr. leave their 80’s behind. Martin takes over 16, which was worn by newly hired Twins front office employee Ehire Adrianza. 21, which is Keirsey Jr.’s new number, has been worn by players such as Delmon Young, Eric Milton, and even Pat Mahomes.

There have been a bunch of players to wear 24 for just a single season. Woods Richardson should have it for longer than that. Maybe you can even repurpose an old Trevor Larnach uniform.

Related: “Full-Go” Brooks Lee Preparing for Unknown Role with Twins… but Back Injury Still Lingers

The last member of the group, Jair Camargo, opted to stay with a high number. He will rock 77, which has only previously been used by four players in franchise history.

The other two — 30-year-old MLB veteran relief pitcher Diego Castillo and 28-year-old utility man, Michael Helman — are two less ballyhooed names that will be on the Twins active roster today, when they finish their home series vs the Toronto Blue Jays.

Michael Helman will make his MLB debut with Minnesota Twins

Michael Helman is one of the other names. He is set to make his MLB debut. Currently the 34th prospect in the Minnesota Twins system, according to Aaron Gleeman’s (The Athletic) most recent rankings, Helman is an under-the-radar choice. No doubt he’s earned it, though.

In 240 at-bats with the St. Paul Saints this season, Helman is hitting .283 with an .875 OPS. He’s blasted 13 homers and driven in 43 RBI. And don’t forget about his 45 runs scored and 10 stolen bases. Michael Helman is a classic do-it-all type baseball player, and that includes his defensive capabilities.

Michael Helman had himself a day for the @StPaulSaints yesterday⚡️

He went 2-5 with a HR (101 MPH), 4 RBI, and 2 runs scored

In all 5 of his PAs, he had a ball in play hit 95+ MPH 🚀#MNTwins pic.twitter.com/0rRfftCda2

— Twins Player Development (@TwinsPlayerDev) May 17, 2024

Related: Upgrades Incoming for Minnesota Twins Infield and Outfield

The 2018 11th round pick out of Texas A&M can play anywhere, outside of catcher. This season for St. Paul, Helman logged 28 games at shortstop, 17 games in centerfield and 10 games at third base. Michael has also played second base (1 game), left field (4 games) and even DH’d (3 games). His flexibility is likely a big factor in his promotion.

Twins call up reliever Diego Castillo

Diego Castillo has pitched seven innings this season for the Twins, allowing five hits, seven walks and two earned runs, in five appearances. Castillo spent three seasons with the Seattle Mariners, prior to signing with Minnesota in 2024.

The Top 11 Pitches from the Seattle Mariners in the 2022 Season.

Day 2 – #10 – Diego Castillo Slider.

We saw a flash of his best form this year, providing a 0.88 ERA over a 31 game stretch, and this slider was no joke. Opponents slugged a putrid .263 against it this year. pic.twitter.com/tZCbTV5maq

— Gravel (@Gravel_sense) October 28, 2022

Related: Will Carlos Correa Return to the Minnesota Twins Lineup at All This Season?

The right-handed reliever has totaled 275 innings, in seven Big League seasons, posting a respectable 3.20 ERA and 129 ERA+. If right, Castillo would be a valuable addition to the Twins bullpen, for the September stretch run. Unfortunately, the big Dominican has struggled in St. Paul all season, posting a 4.73 ERA and 1.639 WHIP, in 32.1 innings pitched.