Minnesota Twins

Cole Sands

RP

A move was required to free space on the 40-man roster for the addition of A.J. Minter. Sands is set to undergo arthroscopic surgery Tuesday to remove loose bodies and bone spurs from his right elbow and is out for the rest of the season.

Pablo Lopez

SP

Recovering from an internal brace repair of his right UCL, Lopez began throwing on flat ground Aug. 21 and is a few weeks away from mound work. As long as he's able to progress without any setbacks, the right-hander is expected to be ready in time for Opening Day. Lopez last pitched for the Twins in September of 2025 and will be entering the final year of his four-year, $73.5 million contract in 2027.

David Festa

SP

Festa will undergo an arthroscopic procedure on his right shoulder to address his impingement, and he will also receive a second operation on his pectoral muscle to address neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome symptoms. The two surgeries will ensure that he misses the remainder of the season, though it's unclear whether his absence will extend into the 2027 campaign.

Mick Abel

SP

Abel was placed on the shelf April 20 due to right elbow inflammation and appeared to be on the cusp of a return in late June before suffering a setback and ultimately requiring arthroscopic surgery July 1. Given that he won't even be cleared to throw until he's re-evaluated and will required an extended ramp-up period, Abel appears likely to remain out until the end of the regular season Sept. 27. Even if Abel avoids any further snags when he's eventually cleared to throw and makes it back from the injured list before the end of the season, he won't have enough time to get built back up as a starter and will be ticketed for a relief role.

Anthony Banda

RP

The transaction frees a spo on the 40-man roster. Banda underwent left lat surgery in early July, but he expects to be ready for spring training. The southpaw has logged a 3.44 ERA and 144:67 K:BB over 149 regular-season innings covering the last three years.

Jeff Hoffman

RP

Hoffman landed on the 15-day injured list during the last weekend of the regular season with right forearm inflammation, and now he's had his elbow repair a month later. The Twins anticipate Hoffman beginning a throwing program in eight weeks and being ready for the start of the 2027 season. Hoffman logged a 3.55 ERA and 102:30 K:BB over 66 innings between the Blue Jays and Twins in 2026. Assuming health, Hoffman is likely to compete with Yoendrys Gomez for Minnesota's closer role next season.

Byron Buxton

CF

Buxton underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right hip Sept. 18. He will continue rehabbing through Christmas, at which point he will shift to ramping up for the 2027 season. The Twins expect Buxton to be ready to roll for the start of spring training. He finished this season with a .254/.319/.511 batting line, 25 home runs and seven stolen bases over 93 games.

Walker Jenkins

CF

The procedure involved a debridement of the joint, as well as the removal of a bone chip and bone spur. Jenkins is expected to be ready to go for the beginning of spring training. The 21-year-old outfielder went 4-for-45 in his first 16 games for the Twins this season but closed the year with a 1.015 OPS and three home runs over his final 10 contests. Jenkins should enter the 2027 campaign as one of the team's starting outfielders.