There are just six days left until Joe Ryan will throw the first pitch for the Minnesota Twins on Opening Day. Derek Shelton’s squad is set to play the Baltimore Orioles as they look to distance themselves from a dismal 70-92 record a year ago.

The 26-man roster must be set before then, and they entered Friday with 42 players still in camp. After surprisingly releasing Liam Hendriks and reassigning Zebby Matthews, the team wasn’t done.

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Three more cuts have the total sitting at 37, and Andrew Chafin’s name being among them wasn’t on my bingo card.

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Andrew Chafin won’t play for Minnesota Twins

After tearing apart their bullpen last summer, the Minnesota Twins have to rebuild what was once a strength. They spent virtually no money doing so this offseason, but grabbed some intriguing veterans. Hendriks was informed he wasn’t making the squad, and so too was Andrew Chafin.

The Kenny Powers lookalike pitched in six games this spring for the Twins. He allowed just two runs in six innings and carried a 5/3 K/BB. Chafin averaged only 85.7 mph on his fastball though, and that registers nearly 4 mph below where he was a season ago.

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He’s not a velocity guy and he knows that. Chafin has gotten outs despite the lackluster zip, but the Minnesota Twins decided there isn’t room for him in their bullpen. Last season how owned a 2.41 ERA (3.46 FIP) with the Nationals and Angels.

The 35-year-old veteran had a 4.73 ERA in 2023, but has been below 4.00 in every season since 2021, with multiple sub-3.00 ERA showings as well. Considering that the MN Twins often try to build depth before opting for a release, this is almost a more curious move than Hendriks.

Noah Cardenas was also sent to minor league camp, which was always expected for the depth prospect catcher. He’s not on the 40-man roster, but could be called up in an emergency this season. Gio Urshela returned to the organization as infield depth, but never had a path to a roster spot either.

Who’s in the Minnesota Twins bullpen?

Minnesota needs to cut 11 more players before heading to Baltimore. With both Chafin and Hendriks out for the bullpen, options are starting to dwindle. Given Chafin’s left-handedness, his removal all but guarantees that Kody Funderburk will make the squad.

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You can put Taylor Rogers, Cole Sands, Justin Topa, and Anthony Banda down in ink as well. That’s five of eight spots being filled. The Twins traded for Eric Orze this offseason an he’s on the 40-man roster already. That seems like a keeper too.

The final two spots then remain open, and there are multiple ways they could go. Cody Laweryson earning his way back in would be great. Veterans Dan Altavilla and Matt Bowman remain in camp after returning from the World Baseball Classic. Zak Kent was added over the winter and is on the 40-man roster too. Trent Baker pitched earlier in the week but hasn’t shown much of substance.

There’s also the possibility that a reliever is acquired in a trade. Trevor Larnach has been redundant for years. Eric Wagaman, Tristan Gray, and Ryan Kreidler are all fringe roster candidates despite being on the 40-man.

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Lots of moving pieces exist, and time to sort them out is running thin.

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