Minnesota Twins Set Starting Rotation, Announce Third Round of Roster Cuts

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Zebby Matthews, Minnesota Twins
Credit: Dave Nelson-Imagn Images

We are now just ten days from Twins Opening Day against the St. Louis Cardinals in Missouri. The Minnesota Twins are 9-11 through Grapefruit League action thus far. The big news Sunday was that star third baseman Royce Lewis suffering a hamstring strain running up the first baseline. Then, following the game the team made the third round of roster moves.

There are still plenty of players in big league camp. A few non-roster invitees remain, but Rocco Baldelli’s Opening Day roster is becoming more clear as the days go by. After the latest moves, the starting rotation has now been set.

Five more roster cuts made by Minnesota Twins

None of Sunday’s roster moves should come as a shock to fans. What the latest moves mean is that Rocco Baldelli has his starting rotation locked in. That group was always expected to be Pablo Lopez, Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, Chris Paddack, and Simeon Woods Richardson. Now it is official.

Both David Festa and Zebby Matthews remain the most likely immediate depth options for the starting rotation. The former struggled this spring and allowed 15 runs on 19 hits in just 11 1/3 innings. He struck out 11 and walked just three.

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The latter has been called a breakout candidate this year, and his Grapefruit League results are more than encouraging. Matthews didn’t allow a run across 9 1/3 innings and posted a strong 12/1 K/BB.

Luke Keaschall and Alex Speas were never expected to make the roster. Keaschall, top 100 prospect, should spend time at Triple-A and could be a star. He flashed during the Spring Breakout game and had five hits, including a home run, across 12 games.

There are multiple avenues for Keaschall to make the Minnesota Twins roster at some point this season. He could be a factor at either second or third base. Speas will go to Triple-A and provide bullpen depth.

Kody Funderburk was in consideration for the second lefty out of the bullpen. He gave up four runs on six hits in 7 2/3 innings this spring. He also had an 8/6 K/BB. He’ll need to hone in the command but should be back at some point this season.

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Rocco Baldelli’s camp now has 40 players in it. The Minnesota Twins must make 14 more cuts before taking the team back north. Most of the ambiguity remains in the bullpen, and final bench spots.

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