Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
The 2026 Minnesota Twins regular season officially begins on Thursday. If you are a fan trying to maintain optimism, don’t peek at the over/under win totals in Vegas or MLB projection models like PECOTA.
Because no matter where you look, the Twins are projected for 70-something wins and expected to finish in the bottom three of the American League Central. The last time Minnesota was unanimously projected to have a losing record like they are this season, you have to go all the way back to 2017.
Speaking of hope, that 2017 Twins blew past preseason expectations, finished 85-77 during the regular season and made the Wild Card round of the playoffs, which back then was a one-game win-or-go-home contest that they lost to the New York Yankees, 8-4.
Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
But before games matter and the Minnesota Twins’ 2026 fate can be decided, new manager Derek Shelton and GM Jeremy Zoll must cut the Opening Day roster down to 26 players. And over the weekend, roster moves started to get more interesting, especially in the bullpen.
Out (probably) are veteran relievers Liam Hendriks, Andrew Chafin and Matt Bowman — all of which opted out of their contracts when informed they wouldn’t make the roster outright, come March 26.
Minnesota Twins option Alan Roden to keep James Outman, Trevor Larnach
Then Sunday night, the Twins turned to their lineup, optioning outfielder Alan Roden to Triple-A St. Paul. Minnesota received Roden at the trade deadline last summer, along with LHP Kendrys Rojas, in exchange for Luis Varland and Ty France.
What Roden’s spring demotion really means, though, is that the other two lefty outfielders down in Fort Myers — Trevor Larnach and James Outman — will both make the Opening Day roster, according to Dan Hayes (The Athletic).
#MNTwins option Alan Roden to Triple A, meaning James Outman and Trevor Larnach are on the 26-man.
— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) March 22, 2026
Roden will go to St. Paul looking to build off of a really good spring, where the 26-year-old former 3rd round draft pick hit .302 (13-of-43) with 1 HR, 1 2B, 7 RBI, 4 BB, 8 SO, 2 SB and a .757 OPS. Meanwhile, Larnach, 29, batted .171 with a .520 OPS. His lone RBI came off his only home run of Grapefruit League play (47 PA).
Outman wasn’t much better. The 28-year-old outfielder — who the Twins received before the 2025 trade deadline in exchange for righty reliever Brock Stewart — hit just .220 with a .706 OPS, though he did hit 2 homers, batted in 6 runs, scored 7 of his own and stole 7 bases. He also struck out 15 times.
james outman looks like he’s 65% bigger this year pic.twitter.com/8M8Eo7thk8
— parker hageman (@HagemanParker) March 6, 2026
Final Twins roster moves coming down to minor league eligibility
So why are the Minnesota Twins keeping James Outman and Trevor Larnach over Alan Roden? Because Roden has minor league options remaining, unlike Outman and Larnach, who would have to clear waivers in order to be sent down.
Alan Roden had the best spring training out of a trio of left-handed-hitting Twins outfielders. His playing time and contract status also offered the team the path of least resistance when making roster decisions.
Even though he outplayed his competition, Roden learned on Sunday he would be optioned to Triple-A St. Paul. James Outman and Trevor Larnach are expected to make the Twins’ Opening Day roster.
The Minnesota Twins also made some moves Monday morning, in the infield, where they optioned Ryan Dreidler and Eric Wagaman to St. Paul, meaning underwhelming trade acquisition, (30 y/o) Tristan Gray is expected to make the roster as backup shortstop, behind Brooks Lee.
Ryan Kreidler and Eric Wagaman were optioned to Triple A. Looks like Tristan Gray’s chances of making the #MNTwins 26-man are improving.
— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) March 23, 2026
Mentioned in this article: Alan Roden James Outman Spring Training
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