The Minnesota Twins have announced that right-handed reliever Cole Sands has been placed on the 15-day injured list with a left forearm strain, retroactive to April 29. In a corresponding roster move, John Klein has been called up from Triple-A St. Paul to provide depth to the bullpen, adding him to the 40-man roster.

Sands’ Injury Update

Sands described the MRI results as encouraging, telling the Minnesota Star Tribune:
“Probably some of the better news you could have gotten out of the whole thing.”

While forearm strains vary in severity, teams are naturally cautious when pitchers experience arm or elbow issues. Sands’ 2026 season numbers indicate he has struggled at times, posting a 4.63 ERA over 11⅔ innings with a 22% strikeout rate and 8% walk rate. Batters have had a 51.4% hard-hit ball rate against his pitches, and his fastball velocity has dipped to 93.1 mph, down from 95 mph in 2025.

Despite the challenges, Sands’ 3.65 SIERA suggests his underlying performance has been better than his ERA indicates. His most recent appearance against the Mariners, where he allowed two runs in just two-thirds of an inning, may have been influenced by the forearm issue. Sands has been a workhorse reliever for Minnesota since 2024, and his temporary absence is another hit to an already inconsistent bullpen.

John Klein: Minor League Standout Gets MLB Call-Up

In response, the Twins have called up 24-year-old John Klein, who has primarily served as a starter in his five minor league seasons. Klein has struggled this year in Triple-A, posting a 7.48 ERA with 10 home runs allowed over 21⅔ innings, including six of seven starts. While this indicates early-season difficulty keeping the ball in the park, Klein has historically maintained solid home-run rates over his minor league career.

Klein will make his MLB debut with added hometown significance, as a native of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, and as an undrafted free agent signed in 2022. Over 288⅔ innings in the minors, Klein has a 24.17% strikeout rate and an 8.32% walk rate, showing promise despite recent struggles.

Scouting and Projection

MLB Pipeline ranks Klein 20th among Twins prospects, while Baseball America slots him at 24th. Analysts project him primarily as a swingman or long reliever, noting that he lacks a plus secondary pitch but possesses a mid-90s fastball topping out at 97 mph, with potential upside as he has added velocity over the last two seasons. Klein’s versatility makes him a logical choice to fill innings in high-leverage situations while Sands recovers.

Outlook for the Twins’ Bullpen

Minnesota’s bullpen has been inconsistent in 2026, and Sands’ IL placement creates an immediate need for reliable arms. Klein’s promotion is aimed at bolstering depth, but the Twins will need him to adjust quickly to major league hitting. Meanwhile, monitoring Sands’ recovery will be key to stabilizing the bullpen moving forward.

Fans should expect Klein to contribute as a long reliever or swingman initially, while the team carefully manages Sands’ return to ensure long-term effectiveness. If Klein can replicate some of his minor league strikeout success at the MLB level, he could help the Twins navigate a challenging bullpen situation.