It’s now March, meaning this month, the Minnesota Twins will play baseball games that count. Hopefully they can turn things up a notch (don’t count on it), being their Grapefruit League record currently stands at a paltry 2-8-1.
But before we get to Opening Day, new manager Derek Shelton will have to chisel the 2026 Twins’ roster down to 26 players who will be on the active squad in Baltimore on March 26.
Latest MN Twins cuts include top prospect
We’re still early enough in Spring Training so roster cuts so far remain largely unsurprising, which was the case Wednesday, when the MN Twins made their latest round of Fort Myers roster cuts — which included six players — bringing the big league camp roster down to 59 players.
Prospects Walker Jenkins and Ricardo Olivar were among the collection of players reassigned to minor league camp.
We have made the following roster moves. pic.twitter.com/lwyVTzJqva
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) March 4, 2026
If there was a somewhat surprising name to be sent packing so soon, it would be Andrew Bash. I pegged him as a potential fringe arm to make the bullpen. He was Buffalo’s (Toronto Triple-A) best pitcher last season, and posted a 2.57 ERA across 84 innings.
Bash was a non-roster invitee, but he’s still a guy that should be worth watching in St. Paul. When the MN Twins need to shuffle their relief core, he could put together a resume worthy of consideration.
Raul Brito has pitched in 221 games across nine minor league seasons, but the 28-year-old has never made it to the big leagues. He was in Triple-A with the San Diego Padres last season.
Obviously the most notable name is Walker Jenkins. He was never going to make the big league roster for Opening Day. However, his hamstring injury cost him multiple weeks of readiness, and also takes away the opportunity to remain in big league camp.
Walker Jenkins adds on in his spring debut 🤩 pic.twitter.com/fUF0Rv2NJT
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) February 21, 2026
Jenkins got just seven at bats in Grapefruit League action. He’s now injured at the same time he was dealing with an ankle problem last spring. Injuries have been a bugaboo. This one isn’t expected to be long term, but he needs to get back on the field, stay healthy, and make a case for promotion from St. Paul.
Royce Lewis returns for Minnesota Twins
After Royce Lewis underwent an MRI following some tightness in his right side, the Minnesota Twins gave him a few days of rest. There was nothing indicated on the MRI, and he was back in the lineup on Tuesday. Lewis also played in a back-to-back Wednesday while batting fourth and playing as the designated hitter.
Royce Lewis smacks this ball PAST THE BERM! 🌴 pic.twitter.com/PsZFqOopNA
— MLB (@MLB) February 21, 2026
Minnesota’s lineup will go this season, largely in the same vein as Lewis does. The Twins need their slugger to be the threat he wasn’t last season. After an 83 OPS+ over 106 games last year, Lewis hired a private hitting coach and wants to recreate the 149 OPS+ from 2023.
If Lewis can rebound, he’ll be a dangerous bat in the middle of the order. Shelton is leaning on his holdover players to do the heavy lifting. Lewis is among those being counted upon most.
More must-reads:
- Former Top Pohlad Booted from Minnesota Twins Family Business?
- MN Twins Starter Changes WBC Plan Again
- Byron Buxton Won’t Start for Team USA vs Canada
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