Garlick wins battle for final outfielder spot as Twins trim roster to 26
The Minnesota Twins trimmed their roster to 26 players Monday in preparation for opening day Thursday at Milwaukee.
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Minnesota optioned outfielder Brent Rooker to the alternate training site, meaning Kyle Garlick won one of four outfield spots on the 26-man roster along with Byron Buxton, Jake Cave and Max Kepler.
The 29-year-old Garlick has played 42 career games for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia, logging a .214/.276/.414 slash line and three homers in 76 plate appearances.
Rooker will join fellow Twins prospect Alex Kirilloff at the alternate training site. Both players were contenders for the starting left field position until Kirilloff was optioned last week.
Left-hander Caleb Thielbar, another player who was on the bubble late in spring, made the 26-man roster and will serve out of the bullpen.
The Twins will carry 13 pitchers, three catchers, five infielders, four outfielders and one designated hitter into opening day.
Five players are on the “taxi squad” – right-hander Luke Farrell, infielder JT Riddle, Rooker, catcher Tomas Telis and left-hander Brandon Waddell.
Minnesota will battle the Brewers at 1:10 p.m. Thursday on Bally Sports North.
MINNESOTA TWINS 2021 OPENING DAY ROSTER
PITCHERS (13): Jorge Alcala, Jose Berrios, Alex Colome, Randy Dobnak, Tyler Duffey, J.A. Happ, Kenta Maeda, Michael Pineda, Hansel Robles, Taylor Rogers, Matt Shoemaker, Cody Stashak, Caleb Thielbar.
CATCHERS (3): Willians Astudillo, Mitch Garver, Ryan Jeffers.
INFIELDERS (5): Luis Arraez, Josh Donaldson, Jorge Polanco, Miguel Sano, Andrelton Simmons.
OUTFIELDERS (4): Byron Buxton, Jake Cave, Kyle Garlick, Max Kepler.
DESIGNATED HITTER (1): Nelson Cruz
INJURED LIST (1): Edwar Colina
