Kendry Rojas Is Back With the Twins and Kody Funderburk Is Out: Here's What It Means

The Minnesota Twins made a roster move on Sunday that signals what they think about their pitching depth right now. They recalled left-hander Kendry Rojas from Triple-A St. Paul and sent fellow lefty Kody Funderburk back down to the affiliate. It's the second time Rojas has been with the big club this season, and it tells you something about how the Twins are managing their bullpen early on.

Rojas Gets His Second Crack

Rojas, 23, made his major league debut on April 22 against the New York Mets and threw two scoreless innings while allowing two hits and three walks. It was a no-decision, but it was enough to show the Twins he could hang at this level. Down in St. Paul, he's been solid: 1-1 with a 2.20 ERA across six appearances with two starts. That kind of performance at Triple-A gets you a callback, and here we are.

Funderburk's Demotion Ends a Rough Stretch

Funderburk, 29, has been a reliable depth piece for Minnesota since 2023, appearing in 96 games total with three saves and 20 holds. This season, though, he's struggled to find his footing. He's 1-1 with one save and a 2.81 ERA in 19 relief appearances. A 2.81 ERA isn't catastrophic, but in a tight bullpen race early in the season, it's enough to lose your roster spot. He needed time to reset, and Triple-A St. Paul is where that happens.

What's Next

The Twins are clearly tinkering with their relief options as the season unfolds. Rojas gets another chance to prove he belongs in the majors, while Funderburk heads to the minors to work things out. It's the kind of move that happens dozens of times a season, but it matters for both guys: one's fighting to stick around, the other's fighting to get back.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.