Since being acquired from the Miami Marlins on April 16, infielder Jonah Bride has hit .289/.340/.333, with 13 hits, three walks, two doubles, and a 94 wRC+ over 50 plate appearances for the Minnesota Twins. Despite performing at a slightly below-average level, Bride has blossomed into a serviceable bench bat with the ability to play third base, first base, and second base—a player type Minnesota sorely needed after expected primary contributors Jose Miranda and Edouard Julien were demoted to Triple A upon abysmal starts to their respective 2025 campaigns.

Bride was expected to provide minimal contributions in what was anticipated to be a short-lived stint with Minnesota. However, since Bride joined the club in mid-April, fellow infielders Luke Keaschall, Willi Castro, and Carlos Correa have required IL stints, allotting the 29-year-old extended time on the 26-man roster. Playing sparingly, Bride has provided steady corner infield defense while functioning as a viable bottom-of-the-order, platoon-proof hitter. That said, with core position players Byron Buxton and Matt Wallner expected to return from the IL this week, Bride’s time with Minnesota could be nearing its conclusion. 

Buxton traveled with the club to Tampa Bay on Sunday night to begin a three-game series against the Rays. The 31-year-old center fielder hopes to be activated from the 7-day concussion IL during this series, or by the weekend, at the latest. Team decision-makers will, presumably, demote Carson McCusker to Triple A to clear a spot on the 26-man roster when Buxton is activated. Despite not traveling with the team to Florida, Matt Wallner will soon be activated from the IL, too, meaning the club will need to make another 26-man roster move to clear space for the fellow core outfielder. 

Assuming no other position players get injured before Wallner is activated (foolish, I know), the club will have two reasonable roster moves they can make to activate the power-hitting lefty: demote DaShawn Keirsey Jr., or designate Bride for assignment. At first glance, demoting the sparingly used Keirsey could be considered the most logical option. Despite often being utilized as a late-game defensive substitute or pinch-runner, the outfielder is collecting dust on the Twins’ bench, netting only 57 plate appearances this season while having been on the 26-man roster since Opening Day. 

Farming out Keirsey could benefit his development at the plate. However, considering he is already 28 years old and has been one of the worst hitters in the majors this season, there is reason to believe his current role will be the pinnacle of his ability to become a contributor with the parent club. That being the case, it appears team decision-makers are comfortable with getting only limited, targeted use out of one bench spot, in the name of being able to deploy him in late-game scenarios where speed and defensive prowess are the desired traits. 

Despite being a superior hitter, Bride provides little value on the bases and in the field. With Correa, Castro, Royce Lewis, Brooks Lee, Ty France, and the presently thriving Kody Clemens all healthy and able to contribute, the infield is crowded, leaving little playing time for Bride. Thus, the front office could view the former Marlin as expendable, meaning he would be the odd player out upon Wallner’s return. Bride has impressed with Minnesota. Yet, considering the club’s newfound clean bill of health, crowded infield, and presumed preference to keep Keirsey in his current role, Bride’s time with Minnesota could be nearing its end. If Minnesota does elect to cut him, he could still clear waivers and stay with the organization at Triple-A St. Paul, with the opportunity of returning to the majors later this season. Either way, a decision point looms, and will probably come some time before the end of this long road trip.