As pitchers and catchers gathered for spring training on Thursday, the Minnesota Twins added left-handed reliever Anthony Banda to their bullpen by trading future international bonus pool money to the Los Angeles Dodgers. To make space on the 40-man roster for Banda, right-handed pitcher Jackson Kowar was designated for assignment. This move underscores the Twins’ intent to reinforce their bullpen depth ahead of the 2026 season.
Anthony Banda’s Recent Performance and Role with the Dodgers
Banda, 32, was designated for assignment by the Dodgers on February 6 after the team claimed former Twins catcher Ben Rortvedt off waivers from Cincinnati. Over the past two seasons, Banda has been an important part of Los Angeles’ bullpen, compiling a 3.14 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and a 23.3% strikeout rate across 119 games and 114⅔ innings pitched between 2024 and 2025. His overall effectiveness in those years has been tempered by sharply contrasting performances in each season.
During the Dodgers’ 2024 World Series run, Banda excelled with a 1.13 ERA, striking out nearly 29% of batters faced in 10 appearances. However, his 2025 season was a stark contrast, as he posted a 9.53 ERA over seven relief outings, with declines in strikeout rates and control. Still, the Twins viewed Banda as a valuable addition despite recent struggles.
Strengths and Challenges in Banda’s Pitching Profile
The left-hander possesses a notably fast fastball averaging 95.9 MPH, a rare asset among southpaw relievers, supplemented by his sinker, slider, and changeup pitches. In 2025, Banda limited opponents to a .194 batting average and maintained a low BABIP of .227 while stranding 83% of baserunners. His main difficulty has been command, with his walk rate rising from 8.6% in 2024 to 12.7% the following year. These fluctuations reflect Banda’s career-long inconsistencies but are partly explained by his heavy workload of a career-high 71 appearances in 2025.
His postseason woes were most evident in the 2024 World Series Game 1, where he gave up two home runs, including shots from Addison Barger and Alejandro Kirk, despite limiting walks. Overall, he allowed seven hits in just 5⅔ innings during the playoffs.
Impact on Twins’ Bullpen Composition and Strategy
With Banda’s arrival, the Twins now have three left-handed relievers on their 2026 Opening Day roster, joining Taylor Rogers and Kody Funderburk. This trio effectively secures the lefty relief roles early in the season and pushes top pitching prospect Connor Prielipp to begin the year with the St. Paul Saints starting rotation. Even though Minnesota entered camp wanting additional right-handed bullpen arms, only one—Eric Orze, acquired last November in a trade with Tampa Bay—has been added to the 40-man roster. Minor-league deals for right-handers Liam Hendriks and Julian Merryweather have also been secured but do not yet impact the major league roster.
This concentration of lefties in the bullpen is a deliberate decision by the Twins’ front office, led by Falvey and Levine, mirroring their earlier strategy of stockpiling left-handed bats in the outfield. While having three left-handed relief pitchers is not unusual in modern baseball, it does present some challenges in terms of matchup versatility for manager Derek Shelton during games.
Balancing Matchups with Rotation Structure and Team Needs
On the positive side, Minnesota’s entire starting rotation consists of right-handed pitchers, meaning the team will regularly face lineups stacked with left-handed hitters. Banda and the other lefty relievers should be strategically deployed to counteract these offensive threats, offering the Twins favorable matchup options on most nights. Injuries and roster moves throughout spring training and the season will continue to influence the bullpen makeup, but Banda’s presence adds a significant piece to the puzzle.
Outlook for Banda and the Twins’ Bullpen in 2026
Although Banda might not match his 71-game workload from last season, if he remains healthy, expectations are high that he will assume the role of the Twins’ primary left-handed bullpen arm. His velocity and pitch mix provide Minnesota with a potentially dominant weapon out of the bullpen during critical situations. As spring training unfolds, how Derek Shelton utilizes Banda alongside Rogers and Funderburk will be key to shaping the Twins’ pitching success this year.
