Kendry Rojas Is Back With the Twins, and Minnesota's Bullpen Just Got a Jolt

The Minnesota Twins recalled left-hander Kendry Rojas from Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday, bringing back the 23-year-old for his second stint with the team this season. To make room, they optioned fellow left-hander Kody Funderburk back to the minor leagues.

Rojas made his major league debut on April 22 against the New York Mets and made an immediate impression. In two scoreless innings, he allowed two hits and three walks in a no-decision performance at Citi Field. Since being sent down, he's been dominant at Triple-A, posting a 1-1 record with a 2.20 ERA over six appearances, including two starts, with St. Paul.

Funderburk Heads Down After Solid Run

Funderburk, 29, heads to St. Paul after a respectable stretch in Minnesota's bullpen. The veteran reliever was 1-1 with one save and a 2.81 ERA in 19 relief appearances this season with the Twins. Over his tenure with Minnesota since 2023, Funderburk has appeared in 96 games, collecting three saves and 20 holds. The move essentially shuffles Minnesota's relief options as the team works to optimize its pitching depth.

Young Arms Competing for Innings

The recall of Rojas signals the Twins are comfortable mixing youth with established veterans in their bullpen mix. His sharp performance at Triple-A, particularly his ERA, suggests he's ready for another crack at the majors. Meanwhile, Funderburk's option gives Minnesota flexibility to deploy arms based on matchups and workload without sacrificing depth at the Triple-A level.

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