The Minnesota Twins added a player from the Houston Astros.
The Minnesota Twins made a roster move on Thursdsay to address their heavily taxed bullpen. Minnesota enters its weekend series against the Tampa Bay Rays still dealing with injuries, inconsistent relief work and a rotation that has struggled to cover innings.
With the club trying to stabilize its pitching staff, the front office turned to the waiver wire for help, claiming a pitcher from the Houston Astros. “#MNTwins claimed RHP Christian Roa off waivers from the Houston Astros. To make space on the 40-man, the Twins DFA'd Eric Wagaman. Roa will be optioned to Triple-A St. Paul,” reported Dan Hayes of The Athletic.
Roa has pitched briefly in each of the past two seasons, first with the Miami Marlins in 2025 and then with Houston earlier this year. Across 11 2/3 big-league innings, the 27-year-old has allowed just five runs on 11 hits.
However, the underlying numbers tell a more complicated story. Roa has issued 10 walks, hit three batters and struck out only nine, continuing a long-running theme in his career: command has been his biggest obstacle.
A former second-round pick out of Texas A&M by the Cincinnati Reds in 2020, Roa has spent four seasons at Triple A, posting a 4.52 ERA overall. Even so, he flashed real promise last year, logging 60 1/3 Triple A innings with an impressive 2.83 ERA.
The Twins see enough upside to take a chance, especially with two minor-league option years remaining. Minnesota can shuttle him between St. Paul and the majors as needed this year and next, assuming he remains on the roster.
For now, Roa will open in St. Paul, but given the state of the Twins bullpen, opportunities will almost certainly arise.
As for Wagaman, the move places him in DFA limbo for the second time in six months. Minnesota originally acquired the 28-year-old after he was designated for assignment by the Marlins over the winter.
The hope was that Wagaman could serve as a right-handed bench option capable of covering all four corner spots. He has experience at first base, third base and both corner outfield positions, but his bat has not come around. In his first 18 games with Triple A St. Paul, he hit just .159/.284/.254.
The Twins now have a window to trade Wagaman or place him on outright waivers, and if he goes unclaimed, he will remain in the organization as depth at St. Paul.