Minnesota Twins Add Pitcher on Minor-League Contract in First Offseason Move

The Minnesota Twins have brought right-handed pitcher Chris Vallimont back on a minor league contract, according to Darren Wolfson of KSTP-TV. The 29-year-old spent part of 2026 in Minnesota's farm system after joining the club from independent baseball in June.

Vallimont worked primarily as a starter for Double-A Wichita after Minnesota signed him following his stint with the York Revolution of the independent Atlantic League. He made 18 appearances for Wichita including 15 starts, finishing with a 2-4 record and 4.33 ERA. He struck out 68 batters and walked 23 across 70 2/3 innings, posting a 1.34 WHIP.

Before arriving in the Twins system, Vallimont had been dominant at York. In seven starts for the Revolution, he went 3-0 with a 3.99 ERA and 51 strikeouts across 38 1/3 innings.

That performance earned him another chance in affiliated baseball, though his results at Wichita were less dominant. His strikeout totals show he can miss bats, but the Double-A ERA also points to room for improvement as he works toward another major league opportunity.

Vallimont has already reached the majors, though his experience remains limited. The Miami Marlins selected him in the fifth round of the 2018 draft out of Mercyhurst University, and he made his big-league debut with the Baltimore Orioles on July 3 against the New York Yankees, recording two outs and a strikeout without allowing an earned run.

For Minnesota, the move is a modest depth addition rather than a direct solution for the big-league rotation. A minor league contract allows the Twins to evaluate Vallimont without committing a 40-man roster spot, while he can compete for innings in the upper minors.

The Twins rotation picture heading into 2027 has several moving parts. Pablo Lopez is working his way back from Tommy John surgery and his timeline remains uncertain. Taj Bradley and Joe Ryan give Minnesota a foundation, but the depth behind them is thin.

Connor Prielipp showed flashes in his rookie season but is not yet a proven commodity. Vallimont adds another name to that depth pool, and given his strikeout ability, the Twins could also explore whether a move to the bullpen unlocks a different version of him. 

The Twins finished 77-85 and third in the American League Central, and adding arms who can provide starting depth in the minors is a practical early step as they assess the pitching staff heading into 2027.