The Minnesota Twins claimed right-handed pitcher Zak Kent off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday, adding him to their 40-man roster following the designation of Pablo López for the injured list. López, who recently underwent an internal brace procedure, is expected to miss the entire 2026 season and has been moved to the 60-day injured list, creating space for Kent on the roster.
Multiple Team Changes Mark Kent’s Recent Journey
At 28 years old, Kent’s acquisition by the Twins marks his fourth team of the offseason and his third since spring training began. He completed the previous season on the Cleveland Guardians’ roster, then was traded or designated by the Cardinals and Rangers multiple times in quick succession. Kent’s move to Minnesota continues without a major geographical change, as both the Twins and Cardinals hold spring training in Florida’s Grapefruit League.
Review of Kent’s Performance and Pitching Style
Kent made his major league debut with Cleveland in 2025, pitching 17 2/3 innings with a 4.58 ERA, a 21.1% strikeout rate, and a 10.5% walk rate. The majority of his season, however, was spent in Triple-A Columbus, where he posted a 2.84 ERA with an impressive 31.4% strikeout rate balanced by a high 13.2% walk rate. Although his fastball velocity averaged 93.1 mph, it was Kent’s effective mid-80s slider and low-80s curveball that generated many swings and misses in the minors.
Options and Role in Twins’ Bullpen Plans
Kent is entering the final year of his minor league options, having already used three standard seasons but qualifying for a fourth due to injury considerations and option rules. His presence offers the Twins additional flexibility in their bullpen, which currently has only four pitchers—Cole Sands, Anthony Banda, Taylor Rogers, and Justin Topa—secure in their roles. Over parts of four Triple-A seasons, Kent has compiled a 3.74 ERA with a 26% strikeout rate and a 12% walk rate, highlighting his potential value moving forward.
Significance of Kent’s Acquisition for the Twins
By adding Kent to their roster, the Twins gain another arm to evaluate during spring training as they look to shape a competitive bullpen amid recent injuries and roster shuffling. With multiple teams having passed on keeping Kent on their major league rosters, this opportunity represents a chance for him to establish stability and contribute at the highest level. How Kent adapts to Minnesota’s pitching staff and his ability to refine control will be closely watched in the coming months, potentially impacting the Twins’ bullpen depth heading into the 2026 season.
