⚾ Twins fans, listen up! A standout from spring training who impressed during his brief stint with Minnesota has just opted out of a deal with the Cincinnati Reds. Could this be the perfect opportunity for the Twins to bring back a familiar arm? With bullpen depth a concern, reuniting with this pitcher might be exactly what Minnesota needs to stay competitive.

Twins Could Reunite with Andrew Chafin to Bolster Struggling Bullpen

Fort Myers, FL – May 2026 – The Minnesota Twins may have a quick solution to their bullpen woes in veteran left-hander Andrew Chafin, who recently opted out of his minor-league deal with the Cincinnati Reds after posting strong early-season numbers in Triple-A. Chafin, 39, could provide the stability and experience that Minnesota’s relief corps sorely needs.

Chafin’s Minor-League Success

After being released by the Twins in February and signing a minor-league deal with Cincinnati, Chafin posted a 0.96 ERA with eight strikeouts across 9 1/3 innings for Triple-A Louisville, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. During spring training with Minnesota, he pitched six innings with a 3.00 ERA and five strikeouts, demonstrating that he still has the ability to get major-league hitters out with a high-80s fastball and strong command of secondary pitches.

Given Minnesota’s bullpen struggles, reuniting with Chafin could provide immediate reinforcement, particularly as the team searches for more reliable left-handed pitching options.

Twins’ Bullpen in Crisis

Minnesota’s relief corps has been among the worst in MLB through early May. The bullpen ranks 28th in ERA (5.31), 29th in strikeout rate (18.3%), and last in opponent batting average (.271). Key left-handed relievers Anthony Banda (9.00 ERA) and Taylor Rogers (5.27 ERA) have struggled mightily, suggesting that Chafin could replace one of them to improve the team’s late-inning performance.

Other relievers have also faltered:

Justin Topa – 4.70 ERA, 19 hits, six walks, nine strikeouts over 15 1/3 innings
Eric Orze – 4.60 ERA, 14 hits, eight walks over 15 2/3 innings
Cole Sands – 4.63 ERA, 12 hits, four walks over 11 2/3 innings, currently on IL (right forearm strain)
Luis García – 6 earned runs on five hits and one walk in two innings across three appearances

The struggles across both left- and right-handed relievers highlight why a proven option like Chafin could be valuable. While he wouldn’t single-handedly “fix” the bullpen, he could be more consistent than several of Minnesota’s current options.

Chafin’s Major League Experience

Chafin brings a wealth of MLB experience, having spent 12 seasons in the majors. He debuted in 2014 with the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he pitched eight seasons with a 3.74 ERA and 337 strikeouts over 306 innings. He was later traded to the Chicago Cubs in 2020, and has since logged innings with the Oakland Athletics, Texas Rangers, Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Angels, and Washington Nationals.

In 2025, Chafin posted a 2.41 ERA with a 25.2% strikeout rate in 33 2/3 innings across stints with the Angels and Nationals. While he has struggled to limit walks at times, he has consistently limited hits and generated strikeouts at an above-average rate, making him an attractive depth option for Minnesota’s bullpen.

Why the Twins Should Consider Chafin

With Joe Ryan recently clearing an elbow scare and Taj Bradley continuing his strong start, Minnesota’s starting rotation remains solid. However, the bullpen is a weak link that could compromise the team’s ability to protect leads. Adding Chafin could:

Stabilize high-leverage situations against left-handed hitters
Reduce reliance on struggling arms like Banda and Rogers
Provide a veteran presence to guide younger pitchers in the pen

Manager Rocco Baldelli and the Twins front office now face a decision: re-sign Chafin to shore up the bullpen or continue relying on the current mix of relievers, which has produced inconsistent results thus far in 2026.

Looking Ahead

Reuniting with Chafin would give Minnesota a low-risk, high-reward option for a bullpen in desperate need of consistency. If the veteran left-hander can replicate his Triple-A and spring performance at the MLB level, he could help stabilize late innings and increase the Twins’ chances in tight games.

While not a complete solution, Chafin’s presence could improve matchups, particularly against tough left-handed hitters, and provide manager Baldelli with more strategic flexibility. As the Twins continue their season, his addition could prove pivotal in keeping Minnesota competitive in the American League Central.