Minnesota Twins

Byron Buxton

CF

The veteran outfielder has dealt with the hip impingement for much of the season and will return to the IL on Sunday after sitting out four straight games. It was previously reported that Buxton could require offseason surgery to address the injury, so it's possible he could be shut down for the season if he doesn't show enough improvement soon. Top prospect Walker Jenkins should continue to operate as Minnesota's primary center fielder, in the meantime.

Mike Paredes

SP

Shortly after his initial placement on the IL, Paredes was diagnosed with a Grade 2 left oblique strain, per MLB.com. After shifting to the 60-day IL to clear a 40-man roster spot for the newly acquired Dean Kremer, Paredes won't be eligible to rejoin Minnesota until Sept. 21.

Cole Sands

RP

Sands has battled elbow problems throughout the 2026 season and landed back on the 15-day injured list Tuesday. He has opted for season-ending surgery to repair the issue but expects to have a "pretty much normal" offseason after getting a PRP injection post-op. Sands allowed 11 runs with an 11:5 K:BB over 12 innings for the Twins this season. The 29-year-old has two more years of arbitration eligibility remaining.

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

Banda last pitched June 28 and was placed on the 15-day injured list 11 days ago. He expects to be ready for the start of spring training in February. The lefty reliever appeared in 39 games out of the bullpen for Minnesota this season and registered a 4.46 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 33:15 K:BB across 34.1 innings.

Pablo Lopez

SP

Lopez underwent an internal brace procedure Wednesday -- rather than a full Tommy John surgery -- to shorten his recovery process, but he will still be forced to miss the entire 2026 season. His move to the 60-day IL will create a spot on the 40-man roster for Zak Kent, who was claimed off waivers from the Cardinals on Thursday.