Adams has been up for the MN Twins multiple times this season. Once he came up for three days and never pitched. Then he returned to make his major league debut. Used as a swingman to eat innings this year, it’s been tough sledding as he now owns an 8.03 ERA.

With the Boston Red Sox coming to town on Monday night, Rocco Baldelli needs an additional ready arm for the bullpen. Enter old friend Michael Tonkin.

Michael Tonkin rejoins Minnesota Twins

This offseason the MN Twins tendered Michael Tonkin a $1 million contract to avoid arbitration. He was in line to be an Opening Day member of the bullpen but got hurt and has spent the entire year at Triple-A. Now he’s headed back to the big leagues taking the spot of Adams in relief.

Michael Tonkin has his contract purchased and is called up. Travis Adams is optioned. Connor Gillispie DFA. #MNTwins

— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) July 28, 2025

Tonkin had a start and stop to his rehab assignment, but has been pitching routinely since June 7. Across 13 games he owns a 3.10 ERA and has held opposing batters to a .197/.263/.394 slash line.

It’s possible that Tonkin provides a capable quality of relief for the Twins. He pitched with both New York teams as well as Minnesota last season and posted a 3.63 ERA in 79 1/3 innings. Tonkin pitched for Minnesota from 2013 through 2018 before being out of Major League Baseball from 2018 through 2022.

This spring Tonkin didn’t look great, and he was roughed up early on during his rehab assignment. That could have been lingering effects from the right rotator cuff strain. Either way, the goal for him now will be to stick as a member of the bullpen. Out of options, Minnesota would need to DFA Tonkin and have him clear waivers if they were to make a move.

Pitcher shuffling continues for the MN Twins

Not only is Adams headed back to Triple-A St. Paul, but veteran Connor Gillispie has been designated for assignment and will be looking for a new home. The Twins claimed him and his 8.65 ERA from the Miami Marlins earlier this summer.

Gillispie was predictably poor for the St. Paul Saints. He pitched in four games (three starts) and tallied 13 2/3 innings with a 14.49 ERA. The right-hander gave up a whopping 22 runs on 22 hits and allowed six home runs.

Related: Good News Injury Update on Byron Buxton

Minnesota continues to search for pitching stability amongst their plethora of injuries. Baldelli opted for a bullpen game on Sunday against the Nationals. With Adams back to Triple-A, it seems likely that Bailey Ober could take back over a rotation spot when one is needed on Wednesday.

At this point the season is lost for the Minnesota Twins. Derek Falvey is faced with a fire sale prior to the trade deadline on Thursday, and the only question is to what extent he dives in.

On Saturday night at home against Toronto, the Twins went into the 8th inning with a 3-2 lead over Blue Jays, after 6 more solid innings from Chris Paddack, who’s been pitching out of his mind lately.

Minnesota Twins pitchers blow late lead vs Blue Jays

Unfortunately, Griffin Jax and Jhoan Duran, Minnesota’s two most-trusted relievers, gave up a total of three runs in those final two innings, and the Twins lost their third-straight game, 5-4.

KING SPRING CHANGES THE GAME WITH ONE SWING! #SpringerDinger pic.twitter.com/6YKmUxNsQz

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) June 7, 2025

Despite last night’s late collapse, the Minnesota Twins bullpen has been really good (as has the pitching staff as a whole) through 2.5 months of the 2025 regular season, in large part thanks to a rather clean bill of health, prior to Pablo’s 2-3 month trip to the IR.

Of course, that’s not true for every pitcher on the roster. Righty reliever Michael Tonkin was expected to be a big part of the Twins’ middle relief core entering spring training. That was until the 35-year-old veteran started experiencing shoulder soreness during spring training, pain that he’s struggled to shake for months now.

Back in early April, Tonkin started his first comeback attempt of the year. He then began a rehab assignment on April 18 that ended in St. Paul about one month later (May 16), not in an activation, but with a 60-day injured list designation, not with his original rotator cuff issue, but with bicep tendonitis.

Minnesota Twins Michael Tonkin begins another rehab assignment

On Saturday though, after nearly another month of recovery, Michael Tonkin started up his second rehab assignment of the season. He faced 5 batters for the St. Paul Saints, allowing just one hit and 0 runs (1 K, 1 BB) on 16 pitches.

Michael Tonkin is scheduled to start another rehab assignment with the St. Paul Saints tonight.

He was previously dealing with biceps tendinitis.

— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) June 7, 2025

Tonkin was not sharp during his initial rehab assignment. Across six appearances he pitches 9 2/3 innings but allowed nine runs (eight earned). He did have a nice 13/4 K/BB but was way too hittable, giving up 15 total hits in those 13 innings pitched.

Related: Minnesota Twins Promoting Travis Adams for MLB Debut

Last season Michael Tonkin pitched for three different teams, twice with the Twins. Tonkin owned a 3.63 ERA (3.44 FIP) across 79 1/3 innings. Tonkin isn’t the only reliever trying to make a rehab comeback off the injured list this weekend, though.

Danny Coulombe also closing in on return to Twins bullpen

The Minnesota Twins bullpen has been without lefty Danny Coulombe since mid-May, who started his own rehab assignment on Friday, for the St. Paul Saints, throwing one perfect inning in relief.

Last night LHP Danny Coulombe made his @TRIAOrthopedics Major League rehab appearance. How did he do? How about a perfect inning of relief throwing 9 pitches, 7 for strikes. He's one step closer to working his way back to the #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/Qliz7TjYXF

— St. Paul Saints (@StPaulSaints) June 7, 2025

In 19 appearances this season, Coulombe has has yet to give up a run, in 16 2/3 innings. He has a 19/2 K/BB and has been one of baseball’s best lefties for some time now. More than likely, Coulombe beats Tonkin back to the big leagues.

A return for Danny Coulombe, following the Twins’ off-day on Monday, would make sense. Meanwhile, Tonkin’s activation could depend on, not just how he holds up down in St. Paul, but also how effective he is on the bump.

The Twins have placed a bunch of players on the injured list in the first month of the season, which has caused all sorts of shuffling around in St. Paul and on both the 26-man and 40-man rosters. Fortunately there were some positive developments on the injury front Tuesday evening, prior to their first of three games vs the White Sox.

Pablo Lopez back on Thursday for Minnesota Twins

A couple of weeks ago, Pablo Lopez landed on the injured list with a hamstring strain, after he was pulled from the mound in the 5th inning of his last start vs the Kansas City Royals back on April 7. Thankfully, after a Triple-A rehab start on Saturday, Pablo is on his way back up to the big leagues, and will take his spot back in the Minnesota Twins rotation on Thursday, in the final game of their current home series vs the South Siders.

The Twins haven’t announced which day López will be activated from the 15-day injured list — he’s eligible to return Thursday — but nothing in their rotation order is solidified beyond David Festa scheduled for Wednesday’s start.

“He’s in a really good spot to return to the big leagues, not have to make another rehab start and rejoin the rotation,” said Twins manager Rocco Baldelli, who didn’t elaborate.”

Star Tribune

Through three turns through the rotation this season, Lopez owns a 1.62 ERA (3.28 FIP) with 14 strikeouts and only two walks in 16 2/3 innings. That’s a much better start than the 4.08 ERA he finished 2024 with. The Minnesota Twins will get one more turn from David Festa before he is likely optioned back to Triple A.

Related: MLB Insider Names Minnesota Twins Most Likely Trade Candidate

Given how well he’s pitched since his promotion, sending him down might not be the best option available to the Twins. Through nine innings so far this season (two starts), Festa has turned in 9 innings of 1 run (unearned) baseball, allowing eight hits and two walks vs 10 strikeouts.

MN Twins await Royce Lewis too

Unlike Pablo Lopez, Royce Lewis wasn’t on the Minnesota Twins Opening Day roster. Just like Lopez, however, the 2017 No. 1 overall pick is recovering from a hamstring injury that was originally tagged with a six-to-eight week recovery time.

Lewis last played for the Twins on March 16, during Spring Training. He suffered his injury trying to leg out an infield single. On Tuesday, Lewis ran the bases and responded well to the next phase of testing for his injured hammy. The Star Tribune’s Bobby Nightengale is reporting that a rehab assignment could come as soon as this week for the Minnesota Twins’ third baseman… should he continue to progress.

“Royce Lewis ran the bases before Tuesday’s game, moving him closer to starting a rehab assignment, which is expected to begin later this week. Lewis, who has been doing defensive drills and took on-field batting practice for a couple of weeks, ran sprints during Monday’s off day before working with third base coach Tommy Watkins on Tuesday. He ran out of the batter’s box a few times, and he practiced running first to third.”

Bobby Nightengale – Star Tribune

Royce Lewis continues to make progress from his hamstring strain. He did sprints on Monday and ran the bases again this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/Ub3vDngNKW

— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) April 22, 2025

Royce Lewis hasn’t seen game action for such a substantial amount of time that a week or more of rehab games wouldn’t be surprising. Then again, teammate Brooks Lee played in just three rehab games with St. Paul before rejoining the lineup.

Minnesota is desperate for offense and that could put Lewis in a position to return sooner than may be traditionally expected. For the first time in his career he struggled offensively last season batting just .233/.295/.452 with 16 home runs in 82 games.

This spring Lewis posted a .346/.469/.423 slash line across 26 at bats. If he’s seeing the ball like that, then Baldelli will gladly welcome him back into the lineup immediately.

Less promising Twins injury news

Unlike Lopez and Lewis, Willi Castro suffered an injury but was not placed on the injured list. Despite his oblique injury forcing him from last week’s contest against the New York Mets, he still remains out of action. It has now been six days since he has been in the lineup and the Twins have played short.

Sure, the 40-man roster is exhausted, but that’s more a reflection of the team-building done by Derek Falvey. The fact that Minnesota has no one else available to replace a player missing six straight days rather than place them on the 10-day injured list is silly.

Last season Tonkin averaged 93.2 mph on his fastball.

He didn't throw a pitch faster than 92 mph today for the @StPaulSaints

That's not going to work at the big league level. https://t.co/k62ugYGFaT

— Ted (@tlschwerz) April 22, 2025

Michael Tonkin, who recently had his rehab assignment moved to Triple-A St. Paul on Tuesday, was shelled. It’s not clear where he fits in the bullpen regardless, but getting eyes on him wasn’t pretty.

Not only did Tonkin struggle to show any semblance of his already mediocre velocity, but Triple-A batters feasted on his lack of command. He’s going to need more outings for the Saints to prove a promotion is worthy. Even then, a DFA may not be far behind.

This week alone, they lost outfielder Matt Wallner, shortstop Carlos Correa and utility man Willi Castro. Thankfully, we saw Correa return in relief defensive duties on Wednesday, but the return status of the other two are more concerning.

Matt Wallner facing lengthy absence for Minnesota Twins

Matt Wallner was in the MN Twins dugout on Wednesday, but he shouldn’t be expected back in the lineup for a while. Local insider Darren “Doogie” Wolfson provided an update on Thursday’s episode of the The Mackey & Judd Show (SKOR North). Minnesota officially placed Wallner on the injured list Thursday.

“I should mention Matt Wallner, it’s going to be a bit. This is not a ten day injury. This is much beyond ten days, the hamstring.”

Darren Wolfson – Skor North

#MNTwins Matt Wallner left tonight’s game with a leg injury. He hurt himself legging out a single in the first inning pic.twitter.com/6T2leEm0IT

— Mike Kurland (@Mike_Kurland) April 15, 2025

The Twins acquired infielder Jonah Bride from the Miami Marlins. He is taking Matt Wallner’s roster spot. Bride doesn’t help in the outfield though, and even if he did, he isn’t making up for Wallner’s team-leading 0.6 fWAR.

Through 18 games Matt Wallner owns a .263/.373/.474 slash line. He has five doubles, a league-leading two triples, and a home run. Minnesota will be forced to lean heavily on Trevor Larnach, Harrison Bader, and DaShawn Keirsey Jr. in his absence.

Brock Stewart making rehab progress for MN Twins

Brock Stewart started his rehab assignment earlier this week with the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels. He too was dealing with a hamstring injury, that first popped up during spring training. He was able to pitch in back-to-back games this week, something that was considered a major hurdle in his progress to return to a big league mound.

Brock Stewart appeared on consecutive days at Single-A Fort Myers, which was the big hurdle he needed to show the #MNTwins. He faced five batters. He struck out five batters. pic.twitter.com/2sU4rwKLJV

— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) April 17, 2025

If there is something of a concern regarding Stewart, it’s that his velocity wasn’t quite there. He threw 95 mph in his first outing and that dropped during his second. That’s a pretty noticeable drop from his 97 mph average the past two seasons.

Stewart has had a myriad of arm issues, but his stuff has continued to play. A decrease in velocity this time around could alter his effectiveness. It’s likely he sees his rehab progress to Triple-A St. Paul soon, where there will be additional data.

The Twins would love to have the same Stewart that turned in a 0.65 ERA across 27 2/3 innings during the 2023 season. He gave up just two runs that year and struck out 39 batters. That performance would slot him in high-leverage opportunities with Griffin Jax and Jhoan Duran.

Pablo Lopez could be back to Twins soon

Don’t forget about Minnesota Twins ace, Pablo Lopez, who’s been on the injured list with a hamstring strain since April 11 (retroactive to April 9). He is progressing through the rehab process and will be on the mound this week for a rehab assignment of his own. He has to be on the injured list for 15 days.

#MNTwins injury updates:

Pablo López (hamstring) is scheduled to make a rehab start Saturday with Triple-A St. Paul.

Royce Lewis (hamstring) is expected to do some light baserunning today.

Michael Tonkin (shoulder) is scheduled for a rehab outing Friday with Low-A Fort Myers.

— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) April 17, 2025

Des Moines, Iowa is roughly a 3.5 hour drive for Pablo Lopez. That’s where he will don a Saints jersey, and pitch at Triple-A for the first time since 2021. He owns a 1.62 ERA (3.25 FIP) across 16 2/3 innings this year for Minnesota.

The Opening Day starter is looking for a bounce back year, after posting a 4.08 ERA (3.65 FIP) in 2024. Lopez has taken three turns through the rotation, but was lifted after just 4 2/3 innings in Kansas City on April 8 due to his hamstring strain.

David Festa has taken over the starting rotation spot in Lopez’s absence. The former top prospect has allowed just one run (unearned) in nine innings. He also has a 10/2 K/BB. It remains to be seen how Minnesota will slot Lopez back into the rotation, when he is eligible to return.

Related: Minnesota Twins Calling Up Top Pitching Prospect

Thus far, Chris Paddack and his 9.49 ERA (6.66 FIP) across 12 1/3 innings could be the odd man out. Simeon Woods Richardson has a 4.30 ERA (3.83 FIP) in 14 2/3 innings, and it’d be tough to send him back after he’s been in the big leagues for most of the past year.

We can’t let Gleeman slip that note in about Royce Lewis go unnoticed either. At roughly four weeks into his projected timeline, he should be about halfway through his recovery.

Michael Tonkin working back for Minnesota Twins too

Like Stewart and Lopez, Michael Tonkin is set to begin a rehab assignment of his own at Single-A, this week. He has been out longer than Stewart and last pitched in spring training on February 28th. Tonkin gave up four runs on six during Grapefruit League play. He also struck out three and walked two.

Michael Tonkin is set to start a rehab assignment tomorrow at Fort Myers. Brock Stewart began his earlier this week. #MNTwins

— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) April 17, 2025

Last season the Twins brought Michael Tonkin back for the first time since 2017. He started the year with the Mets, was designated for assignment, and claimed by Minnesota. After the MN Twins DFA’d him, it wasn’t until a late summer move by the Yankees that he was again claimed off waivers.

For Minnesota Tonkin posted a 3.86 ERA across 16 1/3 innings. He has seen a career resurgence after resurfacing with the Braves during the 2023 season. The Twins are back in action on Friday against the Braves. Atlanta welcomes Minnesota to town off to a bad start of their own. Expected to contend for the NL East title, they are just 5-13 this season.

Not only were the Twins forced to start 2025 without infielders Royce Lewis and Brooks Lee, who both remain on the injured list for now, but health issues have cost manager Rocco Baldelli a couple of his best middle relievers, too — RHP Brock Stewart and LHP Michael Tonkin.

An ugly loss against the Houston Astros on Sunday was a byproduct of the bullpen’s latest meltdown. Despite a 7-1 lead in earlier innings, the Astros forced extras when a suddenly unreliable Griffin Jax gave up a game-tying two-run homer to Yordan Alvarez in the top of the 9th inning, which tied the game 7-7.

Brock Stewart remains out for Minnesota Twins

Brock Stewart is a high-leverage arm that absolutely would have factored into the Twins’ middle/back of the bullpen equation in 2025. Unfortunately, the vast majority of his time in Minnesota has been spent on the injured list.

This spring, following season-ending surgery in 2024, Stewart looked good to start Grapefruit League play, tossing three innings in four games. Then, just when we all thought his arm was in a good place, a hamstring strain landed him on the IR in March.

As tends to be the case when the Twins report early injuries, Stewart’s bad hamstring was initially reported as mild. Now weeks into the regular season, Brock’s return timeline is being extended yet again. According to Phil Miller (Star Tribune), the setback stems from tightness Stewart felt in his hamstring while ramping up for a rehab assignment in St. Paul.

“Righthander Brock Stewart had hoped to make a couple of rehab appearances for Class AAA St. Paul last week, but he reported tightness in a hamstring, forcing the Twins to pull back. Falvey said the Twins will know later this week what Stewart’s new timeline looks like.”

Phil Miller – Star Tribune

Stewart has thrown just 43 1/3 innings since 2023 with Minnesota. Across six major league seasons, he has only 149 total innings pitched under his belt. And most forget, he used to be an 11-game starter for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Brock Stewart ⛽️⛽️ pic.twitter.com/uESxgwqEWf

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 30, 2024

The MN Twins would love to have Brock Stewart back, if he can ever get healthy. Since landing in Minnesota, the 33-year-old has pitched 43.1 impressive innings, posting a 2.28 ERA, 12.3 SO/9 and 2.78 FIP. During 27 2/3 innings of work in 2023, Stewart allowed just two runs total.

MN Twins not on Michael Tonkin’s radar either

Stewart’s update isn’t a positive one, and what Phil Miller gathered on Michael Tonkin isn’t all that great either. Tonkin just threw his first bullpen session in Fort Myers, recently. That means we are still weeks — maybe even months — out from him returning to the bullpen.

“Righthander Michael Tonkin threw a bullpen session in Fort Myers as he recovers from shoulder soreness that cut his spring training short by several weeks. “It’s good news, but we don’t have a specific timetable on when he can progress to” facing hitters in batting practice, Falvey said, much less to playing rehab games.”

Phil Miller – Star Tribune

It was a mild surprise that the MN Twins brought Tonkin back after he was released last season. The $1 million arbitration salary was just too good of a deal to pass up, especially with Caleb Thielbar leaving in free agency.

Tonkin threw just 2 2/3 innings this spring, allowing four runs on six hits. Maybe the poor performance was a result of his shoulder issues. When the 35-year-old does eventually return to the Minnesota Twins bullpen they hope to get the reliever who posted a 3.63 ERA across 79 1/3 big league innings in 2024.

Related: Minnesota Twins Swap Out Bullpen Pitchers

The lack of expected bullpen arms out of the gate has led to Randy Dobnak, Darren McCaughan, and now Scott Blewett all being shuttled through the relief corps during the first nine games of the 2025 regular season. That doesn’t look like it’ll come to an end anytime soon, unless the starting staff figures out how to last more innings.

But of course, the Twins haven’t fully escaped the injury bug down in Florida, especially when you look at the middle reliever talent they were hoping to lean on, before games reach backend bullpen staples, Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax.

Over the past 24 hours, Minnesota Twins injury updates have revealed injuries to RHP Brock Stewart, RHP Michael Tonkin and RHP Matt Canterino. While all three injuries have different severity, the overall health of the bullpen is becoming a bigger concern, as spring goes on.

Michael Tonkin, Brock Stewart injury updates

33-year-old Brock Stewart, who left his Friday Grapefruit league appearance vs the Boston Red Sox with a leg injury, has been diagnosed with a mild left hamstring strain. The good news is that he is expected to start throwing later this week.

Michael Tonkin, 35, came back to the Twins midseason 2024, pitching 13 impressive innings (2.13 ERA and 12.1 SO/9), but will not open the season on the 26-man roster, as he works his way back from a shoulder strain he suffered last week.

RHP Michael Tonkin (shoulder strain) will open the season on the IL, will remain in Fort Myers a few weeks to build up to pitch again.

RHP Brock Stewart has a mild left hamstring strain, but tested well today and should resume throwing later this week.

— Phil Miller (@MillerStrib) March 16, 2025

The update on Stewart is good news, though we have heard this type of story before, specifically with Stewart, whose season-ending injury in 2024 started out as something that was supposed to be minor. With this organization, take all early injury updates, diagnosis and timelines with a large grain of salt.

The Twins would really love to have Stewart on the Opening Day roster. His career in Minnesota has been marred by injury, including missing most of last season. But when he’s available, Brock Stewart has been nothing short of dominant. In 43 innings as a Twin, the Illinois State University alum has a 2.28 ERA, 2.78 FIP, 191 ERA+ and 12.3 SO/9.

Related: FanGraphs Extremely Confident Twins Reliever Will Return to Form

Tonkin played the first seasons of his MLB career with the Minnesota Twins (2013-2017), before spending 2018 in Japan. He returned to the Big Leagues in 2019, where he’s played for three other teams, the Braves, Yankees and Mets. Both guys project as major pieces of Minnesota’s bullpen this season.

Oft-injured Minnesota Twins reliever Matt Canterino going through it again

A spring training Minnesota Twins injury update would not be complete without mentioning Matt Canterino, their 27-year-old pitching prospect who’s brought a lot more hype during the course of his career than he has minor league production.

That’s saying something, being he has a 1.91 ERA, 0.859 WHIP and 13.8 SO/9 in 85 minor league innings between 2019 and 2022. Unfortunately, injuries have kept Canterino from the mound in each of the past two seasons. And now, he’ll miss a third-straight season, following surgery on his right shoulder.

RHP Matt Canterino underwent shoulder surgery in Dallas this week to “tighten” ligaments, Twins announce. He’ll miss the entire season for the third straight year.

— Phil Miller (@MillerStrib) March 16, 2025

There are less than ten days before the 2025 Minnesota Twins regular season begins on March 26 in St. Louis vs the Cardinals. Manager Rocco Baldelli and the rest of the organization will be holding their breath every day between now and then, as their bullpen cannot afford anymore injuries between now and then.

But the most important part of this time of year is staying healthy. Last year, the Twins struggled to do that, and it wound up being a running narrative throughout the season. And this last week, we’ve seen more of the same thing down in Florida, though most of this year’s injuries have involved prospects, not impact big leaguers.

Minnesota Twins prospects dealing with injuries down in Spring Training

Let’s start with oft-injured, aging pitching prospect, Matt Canterino, when he suffered a shoulder strain back in early March. He isn’t the only pitching prospect dealing with injuries, though. Zebby Mathews, another advanced minor league pitcher the Twins are hoping will make an impact in their rotation this summer, has a hip strain.

Minnesota Twins hitting prospects have been bitten by the injury bug too. In fact, the best two prospects in the entire organization — Walker Jenkins and Emmanuel Rodriguez — are both trying to recover from their own injuries too. Big league relievers Justin Topa and Michael Tonkin are also dealing with shoulder issues.

Matt Canterino, Erasmo Ramirez injury update

On Saturday, Minnesota Twins injury updates were aplenty, on all the aforementioned prospects. Matt Canterino, who hasn’t pitched in a professional game since 2022, is dealing with the same type of shoulder injury that cost him all of last season. Local insider Darren Wolfson took it a step further on SKOR North this week, saying Canterino is expected to miss at least 6-8 weeks.

RHP Matt Canterino has shoulder injury similar to one that cost him all of 2024 season. He’ll see Dr. Keith Meister to determine severity and treatment, likely will not pitch for several weeks.

RHP Erasmo Ramirez has “significant tear” in his shoulder, he’ll miss extended time.

— Phil Miller (@MillerStrib) March 8, 2025

“Matt Canterino, shoulder strain, looking at 6-8 weeks if not more. It’s just another injury for the Twins pitching prospect. Very unfortunate.”

Darren Wolfson – Skor North

Canterino was placed on the Minnesota Twins 40-man roster prior to the 2023 season. He has yet to be placed on the 60-day injured list, but that could be coming. Matt Canterino’s 1.48 ERA and 130 strikeouts across 85 professional innings makes a fan wonder. Unfortunately, his body isn’t reliable.

Related: Minnesota Twins Prospects Revealed for Exclusive MLB ‘Spring Breakout’

Erasmo Ramirez, who was likely ticketed for St. Paul, may not wind up pitching in the Twins organization at all this season. The veteran threw 20 2/3 innings with a 4.35 ERA for Tampa Bay last season, but a significant shoulder tear may end his season.

Zebby Matthews, Michael Tonkin, Justin Topa injury updates

News regarding Zebby Matthews appears to be positive after he left the game following a ball he fielded coming off the mound. The starter suggested he could continue pitching but the Twins wanted to error on the side of caution and re-evaluate him.

RHP Zebby Matthews recovering well from hip strain, he’ll pitch in bullpen tomorrow.

RHP Michael Tonkin has “slight” shoulder strain, he’ll be examined again in 7-10 days.

RHP Justin Topa has shoulder tightness, will play catch today to measure the extent.

— Phil Miller (@MillerStrib) March 8, 2025

Matthews has pitched well this spring and owns a 7/0 K/BB across 6 1/3 innings. He is on the outside looking in for a rotation spot, but could challenge both Chris Paddack and Simeon Woods Richardson.

Related: Minnesota Twins Flamethrower Struggling to Find Heat

Speaking of Paddack, he threw on Saturday but exited after just 2 2/3 innings after as he was hit in the head by a comeback line drive that thankfully deflected off his glove first. Paddack walked off the field under his own power and is not showing concussion symptoms, per LaVelle E Neal (Star Tribune).

Twins official let us look at an in-house b/w replay. Liner ticked the tip of his glove before hitting him above the right ear. https://t.co/hmtfHf6T2O

— LaVelle E. Neal III (@LaVelleNeal) March 8, 2025

Unfortunately, bullpen updates are less promising. Michael Tonkin, who’s near the bottom of the pecking order, has allowed four runs on six hits in 2 2/3 innings this spring. He needs more time to rest, and is a likely candidate to begin the season on the injured list.

Justin Topa has consistently been injured since joining the Twins. Last season was a knee issue and now he has shoulder soreness. There is a possibility he could have been a capable middle-relief arm, but not if he can’t stay on the field.

Walker Jenkins, Emmanuel Rodriguez injury updates

Both Walker Jenkins and Emmanuel Rodriguez are on their way back for the Minnesota Twins. Spring training minor league games started on Saturday and Jenkins told me he is “doing good.” The hope is that he can be in games soon.

Fellow top prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez has now had back-to-back days of batting practice. He had thumb surgery to end his 2024 season and told trainers he’s swinging pain-free “for the first time in seven months.” Rodriguez will start running next week and shouldn’t miss any regular season time. MLB Pipeline’s Sam Dykstra had updates on both prospects, as well.

Although it was just a 47 game sample size, it’s beyond impressive that Rodriguez played through pain to post a .280/.459/.567 OPS and reach Triple-A. He’s way up there on top 100 prospect lists. Both Rodriguez and Jenkins should have a real shot to turn heads in 2025.

Related: Twins Manager Rocco Baldelli Wants a F***ing Parade

Minnesota needs to continue a trend of more positive injury updates and have the bill of health remain clean through the final weeks of March. They were hit hard just before Opening Day last season. Hopefully history doesn’t repeat itself.

Tuesday (5 PM CST) is the deadline to set the 40-man roster for 2025, and that means adding eligible prospects that they don’t want to lose in December’s Rule 5 Draft. There are a considerable amount of players eligible for the Rule 5 Draft this winter. The Minnesota Twins won’t protect all of them, but three should be considered a lock.

Prospects the Minnesota Twins will likely add to 40-man roster by deadline

Kala’i Rosario put up another strong Arizona Fall League season that resulted in his team winning a championship. His .813 OPS was nearly a match to the .816 OPS he posted last fall. The 2020 5th round pick could play the bulk of his 2025 season at Triple-A St. Paul. In all likelihood, he will be added to the 40-man roster in the next 24 hours.

Congrats to Kala’i Rosario for helping lead his team to a @MLBazFallLeague Championship 🏆#MNTwins https://t.co/giwmh8WXEb

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

Both (RHP) Marco Raya and (C) Ricardo Olivar are likely to join Rosario on the 40-man roster. The former may be the next best pitching prospect in Minnesota’s system. The latter gives the Twins another catching option, although his defensive abilities leave plenty to be desired. It would be pretty surprising if we don’t see all three (Rosario, Raya and Olivar) added to the 40-man roster before tomorrow’s 5 PM deadline.

Related: 3 Prospects Minnesota Twins MUST Add to 40-Man Roster Before Rule 5 Draft Deadline

Minnesota’s 40-man status and next decisions coming

Minnesota’s 40-man roster currently has 35 spots accounted for. Kyle Farmer and Manuel Margot are bother free agents. Alex Kirilloff has since retired. Thus, they have plenty of room to maneuver, but it’s unlikely they fill it with Rule 5 eligible players, but they have that option.

After Tuesday’s deadline, the next date to be aware of on the MLB offseason calendar is the November 22, 2024 non-tender deadline. Minnesota has 11 candidates eligible for arbitration-based raises. Among them, three are legitimate non-tender candidates.

It’s possible that neither Michael Tonkin or Justin Topa return to Minnesota’s bullpen, even at nominal financial figures. Willi Castro is the most intriguing name here, and it’s unlikely he will be non-tendered. The Twins do appear intent on trading him though, as it seems his modest salary of more than $6 million may be too rich for their projected 2025 budget.

If the #MNTwins trade Chris Paddack and Christian Vazquez, while needing to eat no money, and non-tender Willi Castro…

They have roughly $25 million to work with. pic.twitter.com/M2CI2lEYT1

— Ted (@tlschwerz) November 15, 2024

Related: Griffin Jax Floated as a Possible Minnesota Twins Starter Again

As the fall turns into winter, the offseason moves will begin in earnest. Derek Falvey is probably looking to trade multiple veterans, and he’ll need to free up money in order to spend any.

Old friend Michael Tonkin rejoins the Minnesota Twins, again

The Minnesota Twins drafted Michael Tonkin in the 30th round of the 2008 Major League Baseball draft. He made his big league debut in 2013 and pitched with Minnesota until 2017.

After being out of the big leagues for a couple of seasons he worked his way back. Tonkin made stops in Atlanta and New York before finding his way back to Target Field this season. He was DFA’d after just one game, but now returns as a waiver claim again.

We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/LQ4ClMqzta

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) August 27, 2024

Tonkin spent the last 39 games pitching for the New York Yankees. He pitched 56 innings to the tune of a respectable 3.38 ERA. His 3.58 FIP is a solid number, and the 57 strikeouts are impressive as well. Given what the Twins have at their disposal, his addition to the bullpen could provide a big boost.

Minnesota sent Steven Okert packing a couple of days ago, and that leaves Caleb Thielbar as the only left-handed pitcher in Rocco Baldelli’s bullpen. Trevor Richards was acquired to get lefties out, but has struggled to get anyone out. Tonkin is not a southpaw, but he has fared well this season while dominating right-handed hitters.

Trevor Richards, the lone addition Minnesota made at the trade deadline, didn’t last a month with his new team. He walked 11 batters in 13 innings and leads baseball in wild pitches. His addition couldn’t have went worse. With Tonkin still en route for Minnesota, Caleb Boushely joins the bullpen for a night.

Related: Just How Bad is the Minnesota Twins Bullpen Right Now?

As the Twins grab an arm they already sent out earlier this year, it’s beyond clear the organization is grasping at straws.

Where does the Minnesota Twins bullpen sit now?

Rocco Baldelli’s bullpen group currently sits in flux. Brock Stewart had season-ending surgery. Losing his presence as a late-inning arm is a tough blow. Griffin Jax and Jhoan Duran are the only high-leverage options, and a significant amount of emphasis trickles down to the middle-relief group.

Jorge Alcalá, 100mph ⛽️ and Vicious 91mph Slider…and Sword ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/m0MFEphWNE

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 30, 2024

Michael Tonkin joins that contingent. He fits in with the likes of Jorge Alcala, Cole Sands, and Thielbar. Scott Blewett and Ronny Henriquez have been shuttled between Triple-A and the big leagues. Alcala was the dominant middle-relief arm earlier this year, and it would be great to see him trend back to that status. Louie Varland also remains an option to join the group at some point.

Adding Tonkin now allows him to be eligible for the postseason. Minnesota has the reliever on the 40-man roster prior to the August 31 deadline, and if they choose, he could make the playoff roster. Those odds continue to fluctuate, but the Twins absolutely have Cleveland in their sights.

Related: How Much Has Recent Losing Stretch Hurt the Minnesota Twins?

Baldelli has a tough task the rest of the way. A young rotation must do plenty of the heavy lifting, and the relief group has to get their expected outs.