That is why, at least in large part, the MN Twins have come out losers in nine of their last ten games. On Sunday, they tried to counter by using a left-handed opener against Milwaukee’s lefty-heavy top of the lineup… and it failed miserably.

Manager Rocco Baldelli made it clear after the game that he won’t hesitate to use the opener strategy again, something he clearly expects to do more of, while Pablo and Zebby recover from their shoulder injuries.

Connor Gillispie becomes Minnesota Twins latest waiver claim

But whether it’s at the beginning, middle or end of the game, the Minnesota Twins are starting to come to the reality that they will need more arms available, whether that be in the bullpen or rotation.

So on Monday, they snagged righty pitcher, Connor Gillispie, off waivers. The 27-year-old was there after, being cut from the Miami Marlins 40-man roster over the weekend. MLB waiver rules force the Twins to add Gillispie to their 40-man roster, taking up their final vacant spot, but he’ll actually start his Twins career in St. Paul.

Twins roster move: RHP Connor Gillispie was claimed off waivers from the Marlins and optioned to Class AAA.

Gillispie, 27, had an 8.65 ERA in six starts for Miami. That fills the last open spot on the Twins’ 40-man roster.

— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) June 23, 2025

The Minnesota Twins have done plenty of roster shuffling in recent weeks. They claimed Joey Wentz (Pittsburgh) back on June 11, the same day they moved Pablo Lopez off the active 40-man and onto the 60-day injured list.

What can Gillispie off the Twins?

Last season, Connor Gillispie made his big league debut out of the bullpen with the Cleveland Guardians. He pitched just eight innings over three games, but finished with respectable numbers 2.25 ERA and 1.125 WHIP, albeit a small sample size.

This year, however, Gillispie came up as a starter for the Miami Marlins, posting a brutal 8.65 ERA (5.69 FIP) across 26 innings. He did have some success early this season, back in April, but he’s mostly disappointed since.

Great outing for Connor Gillispie. Command was awesome, and had some HUGE strikeouts.

5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K

Clutch strikeout here of Lindor on a cutter to end the 5th. pic.twitter.com/zY68XKcX7q

— Jeremiah Geiger (@JeremiahGeiger2) April 2, 2025

Unfortunately, Connor Gillispie — who joins Jonah Bride as the second former Marlin to be acquired by Minnesota this year — hasn’t performed much better down the minors.

In eight games (seven starts) with Triple-A Columbus, the former 9th round draft pick out of VCU has posted a 4.28 ERA in 33.1 innings, with just 5.9 SO/9, which is way down from the 8.8 SO/9 during his career. His walks (4.3 BB/9) are way up too.

Minnesota Twins desperate for pitching help

This is an unfortunate cry for depth from the Minnesota Twins. Andrew Morris would have been next in line to start big league games, if needed. Then this weekend, he landed on the Saints’ injured list.

Pierson Ohl was promoted to St. Paul on Monday, where he will be inserted into the rotation. His prospect does not shine like those who recently have come up and struggled (David Festa, Simeon Woods Richardson, and Zebby Matthews).

Related: Expect More Minnesota Twins “Openers”

It remains to be seen if Gillispie will work his way into the Minnesota Twins plans.They could have rostered Richard Lovelady for the bullpen, and turned to Wentz if in need of a starter. Lovelady recently opted out of his minor league deal with the Twins, after posting a 1.31 ERA across 20 2/3 innings with the Saints.

He signed Monday with the New York Mets.

Unfortunately, that changed fast following a three game trip out west to Sacramento vs the Athletics that landed both Pablo Lopez and Zebby Matthews on the injured list. Life has not been easy, since coming home. The Twins have lost four of their last five games, a stretch that culminated Tuesday night in a 16-4 drubbing at the hands of the Texas Rangers.

Simeon Woods Richardson looked brutal in his return to the rotation — 4.2 IP, 7 H, 7 R (6 ER). Unfortunately for the Twins, Jorge Alcala was determined to look worse, throwing 1.2 innings where he allowed 5 hits and 6 runs (5 earned).

Joey Wentz headed to Minnesota Twins active roster

It remains to be seen where the Minnesota Twins will turn for their next starting pitcher, if Simeon Woods Richardson and David Festa continue to struggle. The bullpen got a new arm today, claiming former first round pick Joey Wentz off waivers from Pittsburgh.

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

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) June 11, 2025

Directly out of high school, Joey Wentz was taken 40th overall in the 2016 MLB Draft by the Atlanta Braves. He made his big league debut with the Detroit Tigers during the 2022 season. He operated as a starter until last year, when he transitioned to a full-time reliever.

The Pirates acquired Wentz at the end of last season. He made eight appearances (12 innings) for Pittsburgh in 2024, allowing just two runs on six hits with a 13/6 K/BB. This year, Wentz has a 4.15 ERA (3.77 FIP) in 26 innings. He has struck out 22 hitters and walked 11.

Related: MLB Insider Reveals Surprising Minnesota Twins Trade Deadline Plans

The left-handed pitcher is averaging a career-best 93.9 mph on his fastball this season and uses it over 50% of the time. He pairs the pitch with a cutter and curveball. Wentz isn’t going to be a dominant arm out of the pen for the Minnesota Twins, but he provides another left-handed option to go with Danny Coulombe.

Joey Wentz striking out Elly De La Cruz

94.1 MPH fastball, 2198 RPM, 16 inVB, 10 inHB pic.twitter.com/eqM322ICx5

— Platinum Ke’Bryan (@PlatinumKey13) September 21, 2024

To clear room on the 40-man roster for Wentz, the Twins placed Pablo Lopez on the 60-day injured list. He is expected to miss between eight and twelve weeks with a grade 2 teres major strain. The move is procedural and doesn’t change his timeline.

How do MN Twins roster Joey Wentz?

Joey Wentz is expected to arrive in Minneapolis on Thursday, when the Twins will have to take someone off the 26-man-roster, in order to activate Wentz before the game. Which bullpen arm will Wentz replace? That is the question.

The Twins have been hesitant to put players on waivers and don’t like to lose guys. Still, this might finally be the end for Jorge Alcala, who signed for $1.5 million this season. He simply has not returned to the pitcher we once thought he would be, prior to injuries in 2022 and 2023 that derailed a hot start MLB career.

Jorge Alcala has a 7.77 ERA in 41 appearances since August 1 of last season, allowing 38 earned runs in 44 innings.

— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) June 11, 2025

Through 22 appearances this season (24.1 IP) Alcala owns an 8.88 ERA. His 10.4 K/9 is a career-best, but he is walking a ridiculous 5.5 batters per nine innings. He has also allowed a 1.8 HR/9 and 9-of-22 outings have resulted in runs scored.

The Minnesota Twins would need to designate Alcala for assignment, or place him on the injured list to open his roster spot. It’s unlikely he is DFA’d given the 40-man opening Lopez provided.

There really isn’t another likely candidate to hit the injured list unless something that has yet to be reported is lingering. Either way, we’ll find out Thursday how the Twins are going to handle the move.

Of course, fans and media alike remain skeptical as to the truth in that statement. But… he and the Pohlads could still have one last chance to prove they care about winning in October.

Waiver claims could benefit Minnesota Twins

At every turn the Twins continue to fumble goodwill opportunities with their fan base. This offseason the they scaled back payroll by $30 million. Then, they failed to make a move at the deadline, in large part because of their refusal to take on any additional salary.

Although the trade deadline has passed, the waiver wire is still available. Not only that, but their could be some intriguing names being waived pretty soon. The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal touched on teams (specifically the Texas Rangers) that may be willing to shed talent (specifically pitchers), in order to lower their luxury tax burden for 2024.

Clubs would save only about one-sixth of players’ remaining salaries in 2024 if they dump them before the Aug. 31 deadline for playoff eligibility. But say the Rangers succeeded in purging four potential free-agent pitchers — lefty Andrew Heaney and righty relievers David Robertson, Kirby Yates and José Leclerc. They would pocket almost $6 million.

Ken Rosenthal on the Rangers waiving pitchers – The Athletic

To be sure, and Rosenthal points it out, this would be a bad look for the league. It was last year when the Los Angeles Angels did it, and it would be if the Rangers followed suit. That said, there’s nothing stopping them. And beyond the bad look, it makes sense financially.

Nathan Eovaldi available again?

Rosenthal mentions Andrew Heaney, David Robertson, Kirby Yates and Jose Leclerc, above. But then, he gets into Nathan Eovaldi’s situation. If Eovaldi were waived, there would likely be multiple interested teams.

Related: What Minnesota Twins Would Join Carlos Correa in the Olympics?

His cost for the rest of the season would be under $3 million. You’d think, that’s a measly price to pay for a guy who would immediately be inserted as a No. 1 or No. 2 starter in a Twins playoff rotation.

It’s possible not all of those pitchers would be claimed. Righty Nathan Eovaldi, who has a 3.05 ERA in 79 2/3 postseason innings, almost certainly would be, and the Rangers could take a chance by exposing him to waivers as well.

Ken Rosenthal on Nathon Eovaldi’s possible availability – The Athletic

Nathan Eovaldi (5IP 7H 5ER 1BB 7K) pitched better than his line in the @Rangers loss to the Red Sox. His splitter, thrown 35 times, was our highest rated pitch thrown by a Starting Pitcher last night pic.twitter.com/gqtSgp2hMG

— Baseball Prospectus (@baseballpro) August 5, 2024

Twins need to spend on waivers

While teams may have been hesitant to deal at the deadline, August provides a more clear answer. Teams that see themselves as out of contention can move salaries and open roster spots.

Given the injuries that the Minnesota Twins are dealing with, there should be talent that excites them. A year ago Minnesota put claims in on many of the players grabbed by the Cleveland Guardians. Falvey has said he has the freedom to add.

Derek Falvey, when asked if he had been given flexibility to add payroll for an appropriate deal at the Trade Deadline: pic.twitter.com/jP6a0CK98g

— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) July 30, 2024

Byron Buxton could be headed to the injured list. Carlos Correa remains there. Joe Ryan could be done for the season, and Chris Paddack may be as well. Brock Stewart had surgery and Brooks Lee is nursing an injury.

Related: Minnesota Twins System Explodes in MLB Pipeline Update

Baldelli is still getting wins out of his club, but the depleted version could use some help if it is made available. It didn’t happen at the deadline, but August isn’t over.