Twins Opening Day Roster Takes Shape
Mick Abel and Tristan Gray have secured two of the three roster spots up for grabs.
FORT MYERS, FL- MARCH 04: Mick Abel #20 of the Minnesota Twins pitches prior to a spring training game against Puerto Rico on March 4, 2026 at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) | Getty Images Earlier this morning, the Twins announced that they optioned Ryan Kreidler, Alan Roden, and Eric Wagaman to AAA. Combined with Zebby Matthews getting options yesterday and the Twins letting Liam Hendriks and Andrew Chafin walk, and the Opening Day roster is nearly finalized.
We have made the following roster moves: pic. twitter. com/c0mIUmRLMO — Minnesota Twins (@Twins) March 23, 2026 With the recent round of cuts, Minnesota appears to have set their position players in stone.
Starters C Ryan Jeffers 1B Josh Bell 2B Luke Keaschall SS Brooks Lee 3B Royce Lewis LF Trevor Larnach CF Byron Buxton RF Matt Wallner DH Victor Caratini Bench OF James Outman IF Tristan Gray UTIL Kody Clemens OF Austin Martin The team will likely rotate through options at DH/LF, with all three of Outman, Clemens, and Martin seeing significant time when Caratini is catching or Larnach needs some days off his feet. Gray will likely only play when Lee needs a day off. The pitchers are less set, but there’s essentially only a single spot up for grabs.
Mick Abel dazzled this Spring and stole the 5th starter slot from Zebby Matthews. Matthews will undoubtedly see plenty of time with the Twins throughout the season, but Abel will get the first extended chance to establish himself as a regular. Starters RHP Joe Ryan RHP Bailey Ober RHP Simeon Woods Richardson RHP Taj Bradley RHP Mick Abel Relievers LHP Taylor Rogers LHP Kody Funderburk RHP Cole Sands RHP Justin Topa LHP Anthony Banda RHP Eric Orze RHP Zak Kent That leaves one bullpen slot open that appears to be a competition between veterans Dan Altavilla and Matt Bowman.