Twins Promote Kendry Rojas, Add Connor Prielipp to Taxi Squad Ahead of Mets Series

The Minnesota Twins are making a notable pitching shuffle ahead of their upcoming series against the New York Mets, calling up left-hander Kendry Rojas to the active roster while also bringing top pitching prospect Connor Prielipp into the organization’s taxi squad.

The moves come as Minnesota continues to navigate bullpen depth concerns and a demanding stretch of the schedule.

Kendry Rojas Promoted to MLB Roster

According to Declan Goff and Darren Wolfson of SKOR North, the Twins will promote Kendry Rojas from Triple-A St. Paul to the active roster before Tuesday’s game in New York.

Rojas was already added to Minnesota’s 40-man roster last November in preparation for the Rule 5 Draft, making him eligible for a quick promotion without additional roster complications.

To clear space on the 26-man roster, the Twins placed left-hander Kody Funderburk on the paternity list, according to Bobby Nightengale of the Minnesota Star Tribune.

Rojas will be making his Major League debut whenever he appears in a game.

Connor Prielipp Joins Taxi Squad, Nearing MLB Debut

In addition to Rojas, the Twins are also bringing Connor Prielipp with the team for the Mets series, according to The Athletic’s Dan Hayes.

However, Prielipp has not yet been officially added to the active roster and is currently part of the team’s taxi squad. A formal call-up would require an additional roster move.

Like Rojas, Prielipp was one of Minnesota’s 40-man roster additions last November, highlighting how both pitchers are part of the organization’s long-term pitching plans.

If promoted, Prielipp would also be making his Major League debut.

Twins Bullpen and Rotation Flexibility in Focus

The timing of these moves is significant as the Twins prepare for a demanding stretch of 13 games in 13 days.

Minnesota’s pitching staff has shown signs of strain, and both Rojas and Prielipp could be used in multiple roles, including:

• Traditional relief appearances
• Long relief innings
• Spot starts
• Possible piggyback usage with existing starters

With left-handers Kody Funderburk, Taylor Rogers, and Anthony Banda currently anchoring the bullpen, Minnesota is looking for additional stability—especially as Banda has struggled early in the 2026 season.

Both rookies offer potential upside, but also come with uncertainty given their limited MLB experience.

Kendry Rojas: High Upside, Control Questions

Rojas enters the majors with intriguing raw stuff but lingering concerns about command.

This season, the 23-year-old has thrown just 7 1/3 innings across rehab and minor league assignments:

• 0.00 ERA
• 7 strikeouts
• 4 walks

Across his Triple-A career (38 1/3 innings), Rojas has posted:

• 6.10 ERA
• 14.06% walk rate
• 20.31% strikeout rate

While the results have been inconsistent, evaluators remain intrigued by his arm strength. Reports indicate Rojas can reach 99 mph with his fastball, which typically sits around the mid-90s.

Scouting outlets such as Baseball America and MLB Pipeline view him as a potential back-end starter, noting a balanced pitch mix but no true elite “plus” pitch.

Connor Prielipp: Elite Stuff, Durability Concerns

Unlike Rojas, Connor Prielipp enters the conversation as one of the Twins’ most highly regarded pitching prospects.

A second-round pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, Prielipp has battled injuries throughout his career, including:

• Tommy John surgery in college
• Internal brace procedure
• Limited total workload in professional baseball

Despite that, his upside remains significant. Across 36 2/3 Triple-A innings, he has posted:

• 3.93 ERA
• 30.13% strikeout rate
• 13.46% walk rate

Scouting reports highlight a high-velocity fastball that reaches 98 mph, along with a sharp slider and advanced changeup—both graded as above-average pitches.

The biggest concern for Prielipp remains durability and command consistency, as he has thrown just over 128 total minor league innings in his career.

Organizational Context: Youth Movement in the Twins’ Pitching Staff

The promotions reflect a broader trend within the Twins organization: a growing emphasis on young, controllable pitching depth.

Both Rojas and Prielipp were part of Minnesota’s strategy of acquiring or developing arms close to MLB readiness, especially after recent roster turnover and bullpen inconsistency.

The Twins are clearly prioritizing:

• Internal pitching development
• High-upside arms with multiple options
• Flexible usage during extended stretches of games

What Comes Next for Minnesota

With the Mets series opening a long road stretch, the Twins may experiment with both pitchers in different roles depending on game situations and workload needs.

If either Rojas or Prielipp performs well early, they could quickly earn more permanent roles in a bullpen that is still searching for consistency.

For now, both young left-handers represent a high-upside gamble—and a potential spark for a pitching staff entering a critical stretch of the season.

Bottom Line

The Minnesota Twins roster moves signal a clear shift toward youth, flexibility, and upside pitching depth. With Kendry Rojas set to debut and Connor Prielipp nearing his MLB opportunity, Minnesota is betting that its future arms may be ready to contribute right now.