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Twins' Cole Sands: Converts first save opportunity
Rotowire
Sands walked one and struck out two over a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Orioles.
The Twins' closer competition was one to watch during spring training, and manager Derek Shelton called on Sands in the ninth inning for Minnesota's first save opportunity. The situation will likely remain fluid, but Sands appears to be the preferred choice out of the gates to begin the 2026 season.
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Twins' Cole Sands: Twins still undecided on closer
Rotowire
Sands will have a prominent role in high-leverage situations in the Minnesota bullpen, but manager Derek Shelton said he'll figure out who will close games as the season progresses, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports. "It's going to be a little bit of a meritocracy. Guys are going to pitch themselves in or out of certain roles. We have to monitor that as the season starts," said Shelton.
The Twins closer situation remains a mystery even after spring training has concluded, but Sands may get the first chance to close games as the most prominent right-handed pitcher in the bullpen. However, Taylor Rogers and Justin Topa will likely also figure into the mix.
Twins manager Derek Shelton said he has no idea who his closer will be this season, but Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports that Sands is still a possibility. "I'm still trying to figure it out. Sometimes, that's the answer where you're trying not to answer it," Shelton said. "I've probably done that before. But right now, I'm trying to figure it out. I don't think we have an idea of what's going to happen."
We wouldn't read too much into this report as Sands is one of a handful of candidates to close or share a committee along with Taylor Rogers, Liam Hendriks, Justin Topa and a series of lefties including Anthony Banda and Andrew Chafin, but he has a chance to finish games. Sands had a breakout season as a reliever in 2024, but he took a step back last season with just a 21.4 percent strikeout rate, down from 29.1 percent. Sands has given up three runs in five innings with a 4:2 K:BB this spring.
The Twins and Sands avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.1 million contract Thursday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.
Sands had been in his first year of arbitration eligibility. The 28-year-old finished 2025 with a 4.50 ERA and 64:19 K:BB over 72 innings, collecting three saves along the way. Sands is in the mix for save chances with the Twins in 2026.
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Twins' Cole Sands: Earns save Tuesday
Rotowire
Sands tossed a perfect ninth frame to earn a save Tuesday over the Rangers.
Sands needed just nine pitches to retire the side for his third save of the season and his first since May 16. Sands had blown his previous two save opportunities and Tuesday marked only his second scoreless outing in his last seven appearances. Saves are far and few between for the Twins, but it seems Sands is in the mix for more in the final week along with Kody Funderburk.
Sands (4-4) blew the save but came away with the win Friday against the Diamondbacks, striking one while allowing four runs on four hits in one inning.
Though Sands matched a season worst in runs allowed while taking his fourth blown save of the year, the Twins were able to mount a ninth-inning rally to bail out the hurler and get him his fourth win of the season. Justin Topa (oblique) is out for at least two weeks while on the 15-day injured list, but Sands didn't help his case Friday for future save chances. Through 65.1 frames, Sands has a 4.27 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 58:16 K:BB.
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