At 51-57, the Twins still have 54 games to play in the regular season. They aren’t going to make the playoffs, but they still have to field a team (likely against the Pohlad’s better wishes).

After dealing away 11 players, ten of which were on the big league roster, the minor league system had to be shuffled. Thankfully the St. Paul Saints are in Toledo, just a two-hour drive, and a gaggle of their talent is headed to Progressive field.

Rocco Baldelli gets nine players to fill out MN Twins active roster

The Guardians are still going to take the field on Friday night against the MN Twins, and that means Baldelli needs a 26-man roster. That requires a significant amount of maneuvering, but at least the incoming Saints could carpool.

We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/2EQQgeE19V

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) August 1, 2025

Martin will be making his 2025 Twins debut. He was left off the Opening Day roster, and injuries cost him multiple opportunities for a promotion early on. In 32 games for St. Paul Martin has hit .319/.431/.398. He doesn’t hit for power, and he isn’t stealing bases, but he’s worked as a slap-hitting utility player.

The MN Twins demoted Julien after a poor start to the season. It took a while for him to get going at Triple-A. Over his last 43 games though, he is batting .320/.432/.582 with 10 homers. He’s still got a good command of the strike zone, and appears to be a bit more aggressive.

Adams and Ohl are quick returned after both were recently optioned. They are joined by veteran pitchers Erasmo Ramirez and Jose Urena making their Minnesota Twins debuts. Urena and Ramirez needed their contracts to be purchased and added to the 40-man roster.

Related: What to Make of the Craziest Trade Deadline in Minnesota Twins History

Taj Bradley was assigned to the St. Paul Saints roster. He will likely slot into the starting rotation for Minnesota at some point in the not-so-distant future. Bailey Ober should join him, and likely beat him there.

The only new face to come from outside the organization is Alan Roden. A former third round pick for Toronto, Roden has played 43 games as a rookie this season. He owns a .204/.283/.306 slash line with one home run and a 24/8 K/BB.

Unfortunately for career minor leaguers (OF) Ryan Fitzgerald and (UF) Mickey Gasper, they will not be around when the Royals roll in this weekend. They no longer have Thursday night off, either.

Twins send Ryan Fitzgerald, Mickey Gasper down to Triple A

Instead, Fitzgerald (30 y/o) and Gasper (29 y/o) will be across the river, in St. Paul, playing for the Triple-A Saints, after both players were sent back to the minors this afternoon. Prior to Thursday’s roster move, the Minnesota Twins active roster had been expanded to 27 players, due to their doubleheader Wednesday. After the moves, the 26-man roster sits at just 25.

We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/ZTRie5zhaK

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) May 22, 2025

Most likely, the Twins wanted both Gasper and Fitzgerald available for the Saints today, thus why they pulled the demotion trigger early on both guys. Ryan Fitzgerald — who was called up for his MLB debut — played in two games and got three at-bats, while up with the Minnesota Twins. He scored one run, but did not record a hit or strikeout.

Gasper has not seen the MLB field since May 2. He was called up as the Twins’ 27th man for the doubleheader, but never saw the field. Gasper hit .176 (.488 OPS) with 4 walks and 3 RBI in 17 big league games prior to that early May demotion. Since being sent down.

The 29-year-old utility man has been crushing Triple A pitching, putting out a .333 batting average (1.170 OPS with 7 triples, 5 doubles and 15 RBI, in the same exact 17 games. How about that for a turnaround…

Carlos Correa set to return to Minnesota Twins active roster

According to multiple reports, the corresponding roster move that’ll eventually put the MN Twins back at 26 active players is expected to (eventually) be the activation of Carlos Correa off the 7-day concussion list. Why the delay? C4 is not eligible to return until Friday, per MLB concussion protocol.

#MNTwins option Ryan Fitzgerald to Triple-A St. Paul and returned 27th man Mickey Gasper. Both playing tonight.

No corresponding move today but it’s safe to say Carlos Correa is expected to return for Friday’s game against Kansas City.

— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) May 22, 2025

On Wednesday, reports broke that Correa was feeling much better, and that he had mostly passed all tests and protocols, even resuming baseball activities. Thus, today’s news isn’t surprising. The question now becomes… what Carlos Correa will we see step back into the batter’s box on Friday?

Related: Royce Lewis is Back and Better Than Ever… on Defense

That’s the question, because prior to his collision with Byron Buxton, which caused both players’ concussions, the 30-year-old former top 5 MVP candidate was just starting to dig himself out of the .236 BA, .605 OPS, 69 OPS+ hole he had dug himself into, to start the 2025 season.

Speaking of Buck, Hayes is being told by Minnesota Twins trainers that he too is “trending in the right direction”.

Everything Nick Paparesta said about Carlos Correa on Weds was positive. Concussion symptoms were gone after he’d performed a bunch of baseball activity. He said Byron Buxton also is trending the right direction, but was a step behind Correa. #MNTwins

— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) May 22, 2025

The hot streak has turned the season around. After a 7-15 start, there were all sorts of trade deadline and Rocco Baldelli job security questions. More concerning was how many fans just didn’t care anymore. Target Field empty, interest was dropping. Until the win streak. And now for the past two weeks, vibes in the Twins clubhouse have been immaculate.

Then Thursday, we were brought back down to earth fast, when CF Byron Buxton and SS Carlos Correa, collided in shallow center field trying to run down a weak pop fly that was hit into no-man’s land, during the third inning of a win over the Orioles.

Buxton is staying in the game, Correa is coming out. Replay shows Buxton ran into Correa's shoulder and they bumped heads pic.twitter.com/Zl7yG351lM

— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) May 15, 2025

Correa left the game immediately, Buxton finished the half-inning, before he too was pulled out of the lineup. Later during the game, news broke that both players had entered MLB’s concussion protocol. On Friday, both are out of the lineup.

Ryan Fitzgerald joins Minnesota Twins taxi squad

With Correa potentially heading to the 7-day concussion list, the Minnesota Twins need infield help. Specifically, they need someone who can play shortstop. Enter former undrafted Creighton Bluejay, Ryan Fitzgerald.

Former @CU_Baseball standout Ryan Fitzgerald has been called up to the @Twins from AAA St. Paul Saints.

He went undrafted in 2016, and started his pro career in ‘17 with the @railcats. What a story.@_robanderson @KETV @gocreighton

— Jack Connolly (@JackConnolly21) May 15, 2025

Shortstop Ryan Fitzgerald joined #MNTwins today and is on the taxi squad in case Correa or Buxton isn’t able to avoid concussion IL.

— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) May 16, 2025

Fitzgerald went undrafted out of Creighton in 2016 and began his professional career in independent ball the following season. He has spent the majority of his minor league career with the Boston Red Sox, but played in the Kansas City Royals organization last year.

This season at Triple-A St. Paul Fitzgerald has batted .328/.426/.528 across 35 games. He has 11 doubles and four home runs with a 29/19 K/BB rate. The former Worcester Red Sox fan favorite has 684 minor league games under his belt, but he’ll be making his major league debut when in the lineup for the Minnesota Twins.

Over the course of his career Fitzgerald has played all over the diamond. His 2,991 innings at shortstop are where he is most comfortable though, and that gives the Twins a needed backup on the dirt.

He's 8th in the IL in OPS (.926) and @RyRyThisGuyy continues to stay hot with this RBI double to center. He's 3-3 on the day pic.twitter.com/2kHTTNdYai

— St. Paul Saints (@StPaulSaints) May 14, 2025

With Correa on the injured list, Brooks Lee should be assumed as the regular shortstop. Willi Castro has also played there in recent seasons but his -9 DRS (defensive runs saved) last season are a cautionary tale to playing him at the position.

Related: Minnesota Twins Lose Two Superstars in One Ugly Outfield Collision

The Twins will need to announce a 40-man move to add Fitzgerald to their active roster. Michael Tonkin, who was recently pulled off his rehab assignment, could be a logical candidate for the 60-day injured list. Byron Buxton is out of the lineup for Minnesota on Friday as well, but no move has been announced regarding his status.

MN Twins need youth to rise up

Fitzgerald is not a top prospect by any means. The 30-year-old is a minor league veteran which means counting on him to carry the load for Correa seems unlikely. The infield now will lean heavily on the left-side combination of Royce Lewis and Lee.

Lee is batting .250/.299/.410 through his first 29 games this season. The offensive results haven’t been consistent, but he has looked much better than the guy who owned a .585 OPS in 50 games as a rookie. If there’s a time for him to step up, now is it.

Lewis just recently returned to the lineup and hasn’t been playing third base every day. This could necessitate that change. It took him five games to land his first hit, but he has a pair of two-hit games in his last three starts. Lewis is looking for his first home run of the season.

The concussion injured list doesn’t present a guaranteed timeline for Correa. It’s a shorter seven day period to allow for a player to return more quickly, but he must still progress through concussion protocol and be ready to go.

It’s an unfortunate blow for the Twins, and Correa, who had started to turn things around after a slow start. His .236 average has been on the rise, but a .274 on-base percentage, and .331 slugging percentage are just a sliver of what expectations are for a superstar player.

The Twins start a three-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night. They return home Monday for a divisional matchup with the Cleveland Guardians.

There’s no such thing as a bad minor league deal, but the likelihood they make an impact is slim. Still, the Twins are stacking the odds in their favor and have signed a couple more.

Another Pitcher will compete to make MN Twins roster this spring

Rocco Baldelli has plenty of familiar faces that will join him in Fort Myers this spring. If he’s going to bring some new faces to the season opener in St. Louis, it may be because veterans on minor league deals prove worth it. Per the Twins transaction log, the club added pitching depth in the form of right-handed pitcher Joel Cesar.

Cesar is 29 years old and looking to make his big league debut. He joined the Pittsburgh Pirates organization as a 20-year-old back in 2016. After four years in the organization, he was dealt to the Philadelphia Phillies in 2021.

¡CACAO!

Cero GIGANTE de Joel César para completar la 5ta entrada🔥🔥🔥#ElPoderDelCacao pic.twitter.com/oXkXAdGxC0

— Gigantes del Cibao ® (@Gigantes_Cibao) December 24, 2024

In 2023 Cesar didn’t pitch in any sort of organized baseball. Last year he threw a combined seven innings for two separate Mexican League teams. Across six minor league seasons Cesar owns a 3.70 ERA and has struck out 144 batters across 148 1/3 innings. His 79 walks are a bit problematic but he has allowed just 15 home runs.

Related: Twins Sign Hard-Throwing Pitcher Who Blew Them Away at Recent Tread Pro Day

Utility Man signs with MN to battle for roster spot

On the hitting side of things, the Twins have added 30-year-old Ryan Fitzgerald. He’s a utility guy that has capability all over the infield.

The #MNTwins recently signed IF Ryan Fitzgerald. He's a 30-year-old and spent 2024 with Triple-A Omaha (Royals) where he hit .244/.336/.418 (.755) with 17 doubles, 14 homers. Had previously spent 6 yrs in Red Sox system. Played pretty equally at 2B, 3B, SS. Welcome @RyRyThisGuyy

— Seth Stohs (@SethTweets) January 28, 2025

This offseason Fitzgerald played in 15 games of Dominican Winter League action. With Licey, he slashed .259/.318/.328 while hitting a double and a home run. He carried an 11/4 K/BB ratio.

Fitzgerald has spent the last three seasons as organizational depth at Triple-A. For both the Red Sox and Royals he saw time in the International League, but never earned a promotion to the highest level.

Related: Minnesota Twins Sign Veteran Lefty to Battle for Bullpen Role

It’s nearly certain that neither player will crack the big league roster on Opening Day. They could parlay a strong spring into an eye-opening opportunity and earn consideration as the year goes on, however.