Written by Mark Polishuk | on March 7, 2026 2:27pm CDT
I Blue Jays he began to ask Twins about Louis Varland three months before last summer’s trade deadline, and Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune writes that the Twins were aiming to be big in negotiations by asking for one Trey Yesavage or Kendry Rojas in return. Yesavage (the Jays’ top star prospect for next offseason) wasn’t going anywhere, but Toronto was finally willing to move Rojas and the outfielder. Alan Roden in exchange for Varland and France.
Fast forward to Spring training, and Roden is competing for the starting job in the Minnesota outfield while Rojas’s high-90’s velocity is turning heads in camp. The 23-year-old Rojas was rocked over 32 1/3 Triple-A innings in 2025 and is still trying to use his power, but he could be a candidate to make his MLB debut sometime this season. The Twins will continue to develop Rojas as a starter but some scouts believe a big relief role may be in the southpaw’s future. Being called up as a reliever for the first time could help Rojas ease into the big leagues while not closing the door on a potential future as a rotation piece.
More from around the AL Central…
- The guards the right hand Hunter Gaddis‘ taking the picture from his neck “I came back clean,” the manager Stephen Vogt he told MLB.com’s Tim Stebbins and other reporters earlier this week after Gaddis suffered a strained arm after his first outing of the spring on Feb. 27. Gaddis has continued to throw the ball and it doesn’t appear the issue will affect his status for Opening Day, as Vogt said “all I hear is good news and we are ready to go.” Stebbins writes that the rangers had already given the Gaddis Workhorses once Kade Smith slowly building up to the season, as an indication of how much both right-handers are slated for in 2024-25 — Gaddis’ 151 appearances were the second-most in baseball over the past two seasons, with Smith close behind with 150 appearances. Gaddis boosted that streak with a 6.3% walk rate and a 25.2% strikeout rate, and will once again lean on key innings in Cleveland’s bullpen in 2026.
- Beau Brieske expected to throw a bull session today as Tigers measure his recovery from the right ribcage stiffness. Brieske has pitched just two games this spring but manager AJ Hinch told the Detroit Free Press’s Evan Petzold and other reporters that Brieske “he has a lot of free time to accomplish what he needs to run in this group.” Ankle and elbow injuries limited Brieske to 22 Major League innings last season, and his health issues certainly contributed to his 6.55 ERA. While the ribcage issue is another obstacle, Brieske aims to return to his former role as a solid swingman in Detroit’s pitching staff.
- Post bookings and more Twins news, the x-rays were negative Byron Buxtonforward after the outfielder was ejected from yesterday’s World Baseball Classic game after being hit by a pitch. USA manager Mark DeRosa told reporters (including MLB.com’s Ryan Kelapire) that the sixth-inning ejection was a defensive move, and it was done in part because the USA already had a 15-5 lead over Brazil. Even minor injury cases like these can’t help but raise more concerns given Buxton’s health history, even if it seems like the outfielder should be fine.
