\n\tThe closer-by-committee approach is common in today\u2019s game, but the Minnesota Twins are taking it further early in 2026. In the opening 16 games, five different pitchers have recorded saves, and there\u2019s no sign that anyone will take hold of the role more firmly any time soon.\n<\/p>\n
\n\tIf someone had told you that five different pitchers would get the Twins\u2019 first five saves of 2026, that probably wouldn\u2019t have shocked you. What is surprising, though, is just how committed the organization appears to be to avoiding a traditional bullpen hierarchy.\n<\/p>\n
\n\tThere is no set closer or defined eighth-inning bridge. Instead, Minnesota rotates relievers into late-inning roles based on matchups, relying on depth and adaptability.\n<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cI think that was the plan going in,\u201d Eric Orze<\/a> said. \u201cCloser by committee. Everybody ready to go at all times. The boys are doing their job.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \n\tCole Sands<\/a> Continues to Evolve \n\tStill, his ability to navigate different pockets of a lineup makes him an ideal candidate for this kind of bullpen structure. Whether it\u2019s the seventh inning against the heart of the order or the ninth against the bottom third, Sands can be deployed wherever the matchup calls for it. That flexibility is precisely what Minnesota values most right now\u2014even if the main reason for that is the lack of any pitchers who could be sicced on the opponent without thinking along those lines.\n<\/p>\n \n\tJustin Topa<\/a> Brings Stability \n\tLast Tuesday, Orze was given the initial save opportunity but was pulled after yielding an RBI double to Kevin McGonigle<\/a>. With Sands and Taylor Rogers<\/a> already deployed earlier in the game, the Twins turned to Topa, who proceeded to seal the win for Minnesota by getting two of the next three batters to ground out. In this system, Topa is less a closer and more a fireman.\n<\/p>\n \n\tEric Orze Adds Another Option
Though Sands has now moved into more frequent high-leverage spots, early in the season, he initially appeared to be Derek Shelton<\/a>\u2019s preferred late-innings option. However, due to a high walk rate, his role has shifted somewhat, and he was even removed mid-inning after issuing multiple walks versus Detroit. Shelton noted later that he had almost immediately seen that Sands’s command wasn’t sharp.\n<\/p>\n
Topa was brought into the Twins organization as part of the Jorge Polanco<\/a> trade and came with late-inning experience. The Twins haven\u2019t seen the same version of Topa since he joined the organization. However, he’s not being pigeonholed into a single role. When healthy, Topa offers a power sinker and the kind of ground-ball profile that plays in tight spots.\n<\/p>\n
Orze brings a different look to the bullpen. With a plus splitter and the ability to miss bats, he gives Minnesota an option for situations where strikeouts matter. That skill set is especially valuable against contact-oriented lineups. Rather than relying on contact management, Orze can put away hitters himself when needed.\n<\/p>\n