Cole Sands - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Converts first save opportunity 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.

Impact 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.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Royce Lewis tiebreaking homer carries Twins past Orioles 4-1 for 1st win of season

Royce Lewis hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the fifth inning, and the Minnesota Twins used a strong effort from their bullpen to beat the Baltimore Orioles 4-1

1 DAY AGO • Associated Press

Twins still undecided on closer 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...

Impact The Twins closer situation remains a mystery even after spring training 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.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Remains in closer 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 fig...

Impact We wouldn't read too much into this report as Sands is one of a handful of candidates to close game or share a committee along with Taylor Rogers, Liam Hendriks, Justin Topa and a series of lefties including Anthony Banda and Andrew Chafin. 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.

MARCH 11 • ROTOWIRE

Orioles-Twins trade idea packages Joe Ryan and Cole Sands to Baltimore | Sporting News This trade idea could be beneficial for both teams.

JANUARY 29 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Twins bring back Taylor Rogers to fortify bullpen with 1-year, $2M contract, finalize Caratini deal

The Minnesota Twins have signed left-hander Taylor Rogers to a one-year, $2 million contract to bring the veteran reliever back to his original team and help fortify a revamped bul...

JANUARY 24 • Associated Press

Avoids arbitration with Twins 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.

Impact 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.

JANUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Byron Buxton homers twice including a 2nd-straight leadoff shot to lead Twins over Rangers 4-0

Byron Buxton hit two home runs including a second-straight leadoff homer, Bailey Ober threw six innings with five strikeouts and two hits, and the Minnesota Twins beat the Texas Ra...

SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 • Associated Press

Earns save Tuesday Sands tossed a perfect ninth frame to earn a save Tuesday over the Rangers.

Impact 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 was 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 Funderbunk.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Rangers eliminated from playoff chase with 8th straight loss, 4-1 to the Twins

Zebby Matthews allowed his only run on a leadoff homer while pitching seven innings for the Minnesota Twins in a 4-1 win at Texas

SEPTEMBER 24, 2025 • Associated Press

Naylor drives in 4 as Guardians beat Twins 6-2 for eighth straight victory

Bo Naylor snapped an eighth-inning tie with his second two-run single of the game, and the Cleveland Guardians beat the Minnesota Twins 6-2 on Friday night for their eighth straigh...

SEPTEMBER 20, 2025 • Associated Press

Moreno's tiebreaking single keys 3-run 10th as Diamondbacks top Twins 5-2

Gabriel Moreno’s infield single drove in the go-ahead run in the 10th inning and the Arizona Diamondbacks defeated the Minnesota Twins 5-2

SEPTEMBER 14, 2025 • Associated Press

Kody Clemens hits 3 homers to help the Twins outlast the Diamondbacks, 9-8

Kody Clemens hit his third homer of the game to start a ninth-inning rally, Luke Keaschall ended it with a sacrifice fly and the Minnesota Twins edged the Arizona Diamondbacks 9-8...

SEPTEMBER 13, 2025 • Associated Press

Kody Clemens hits three home runs as Twins survive wild ninth inning for walk-off 9-8 victory over Diamondbacks Arizona scored four runs in the top of the ninth off Cole Sands, but Kody Clemens led off the bottom of the inning with another home run to...

SEPTEMBER 13, 2025 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Escapes with win in blown save 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.

Impact 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.

SEPTEMBER 13, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Neto and Trout lead Angels to 4-3 win over Twins

Zach Neto hit a two-run homer, Mike Trout drove in two runs and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Minnesota Twins 4-3

SEPTEMBER 10, 2025 • Associated Press

This Minnesota reliever has been a bright spot during a dark time for Twins baseball Cole Sands has arguably become the Twins' best bullpen arm since the trade deadline fire sale.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2025 • PUCKETTSPOND.COM

Brooks Lee's 1st grand slam highlights 6-run 3rd inning as Twins top Tigers 8-1

Brooks Lee’s first career grand slam capped a six-run third inning and the Minnesota Twins beat the Detroit Tigers 8-1 to avoid a four-game series sweep

AUGUST 17, 2025 • Associated Press

Used in setup role Sunday Sands threw a scoreless eighth inning allowing a walk while striking out two to earn his ninth hold Sunday against Cleveland.

Impact Sands was thought to be the presumptive closer after the top five options were traded away at the deadline, but he was used in the eighth inning with the Twins having a three-run lead. Michael Tonkin was used to begin the ninth inning but struggled and Erasmo Ramirez got the final two outs for the save. It's possible Sands was used in the eighth inning to face the heart of the order and is still thought of as the top option in the bullpen. However, after one game it looks like manager Rocco Baldelli may use a committee in save situations.

AUGUST 4, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Set for closer role Sands will likely work as the primary closer after the trades of Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax and Louis Varland, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Twins manager Rocco Baldelli told...

Impact Sands had a breakout season as a reliever in 2024, but he's taken a step back this season with just a 18.8% strikeout rate from 29.1% last season. He's had the most success of the remaining bullpen arms, so he'll likely get a decent trial in the role. Justin Topa will become the primary setup man.

AUGUST 2, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

CJ Abrams hits a leadoff homer and steals 3 bases as the Nationals beat the Twins 7-2

CJ Abrams hit a leadoff homer, stole three bases and scored three runs as the Washington Nationals beat the Minnesota Twins 7-2

JULY 27, 2025 • Associated Press

Serving as opener Sunday Sands will serve as the Twins' opening pitcher in Sunday's game against the Nationals.

Impact He'll serve as an opener for the third time this season after previously making one- and two-inning starts on July 5 and July 12, respectively. Sands will likely be in line to cover an inning or two once again Sunday before turning the game over to the bullpen.

JULY 27, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Ohtani's big homer and Smith's 2 blasts help Dodgers end home woes with 5-2 win over Twins

Shohei Ohtani hit a two-run homer in the first inning after giving up a leadoff homer to Byron Buxton

JULY 22, 2025 • Associated Press

Cole Sands' embrace of opener role benefitting Twins Rocco Baldelli noted that the Twins have won two bullpen games recently, and specifically praised pitchers like Cole Sands for being willing...

JULY 13, 2025 • TWINCITIES.COM

Buxton hits for the cycle on his bobblehead day as Twins beat Pirates, 12-4

All-Star center fielder Byron Buxton hit for the cycle on his bobblehead day, completing it with a solo home run in the seventh inning, and the Minnesota Twins routed the Pittsburg...

JULY 12, 2025 • Associated Press

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