The Minnesota Twins made a roster move after Pablo Lopez's injury.
The Minnesota Twins made their first roster move in the aftermath of Pablo Lopez’s season‑ending injury, and the timing underscores just how quickly the organization is trying to stabilize a pitching staff that has absorbed one major blow after another.
The Twins announced on X this past week that Lopez has been transferred to the 60‑day injured list following his internal brace procedure, officially ruling him out for the entire 2026 season. With the open roster spot, Minnesota added right‑handed reliever Zak Kent from the St. Louis Cardinals on waivers, marking his fourth organization of the offseason. Kent was designated for assignment by St. Louis earlier this month.
Lopez’s loss is enormous. He was one of the few dependable arms in the rotation, posting a 2.74 ERA across 14 starts in 2025 and continuing to pitch at an All‑Star level when healthy. His absence leaves Minnesota without a true ace, placing increased pressure on Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, Simeon Woods Richardson and a group of young arms who now must shoulder far more responsibility than expected. The bullpen will also feel the strain, likely absorbing more innings as the rotation adjusts.
Kent arrives as a low‑risk, upside play for a team that suddenly needs as many viable arms as it can find. The 28‑year‑old made his MLB debut last season, throwing 17 2/3 innings for the Cleveland Guardians with a 4.58 ERA and 16 strikeouts.
While the surface numbers are modest, his Triple‑A performance offers a clearer picture of why the Twins were willing to take a chance. At that level, Kent posted a 2.84 ERA last year and had an impressive strikeout rate, showing an ability to miss bats at a high rate.
Command remains the biggest question for Kent, as elevated walk rates have followed him throughout his career. Still, for a Twins team searching for bullpen depth, the appeal is obvious: if Kent can harness his stuff, he could become a useful middle‑innings option.
Minnesota’s bullpen picture remains unsettled, and Kent will have a legitimate opportunity to earn innings early in the season if he shows improvement. The Twins are clearly prioritizing inexpensive, controllable arms with developmental upside as they attempt to patch together a staff capable of keeping them competitive.
The path toward contention has become increasingly difficult, but Minnesota’s front office remains committed to maximizing its limited payroll flexibility by targeting under‑the‑radar moves that can still move the roster forward.
Lopez’s injury may define the ceiling of the 2026 Twins, but moves like this reflect the organization’s attempt to stay afloat.