The Minnesota Twins have officially optioned right-handed reliever Travis Adams to Triple-A St. Paul, according to the team’s transaction log, though the corresponding roster move has not yet been announced. The decision comes after a volatile stretch for Adams in the majors, where he showed both encouraging flashes and a difficult outing that ultimately shifted the club’s evaluation of his short-term role.
Adams had recently returned to the big leagues and showed early signs of effectiveness, tossing 4 1/3 scoreless innings across three appearances. During that span, he demonstrated the ability to miss bats and work in lower-leverage situations without allowing damage, briefly stabilizing his standing in the Twins’ bullpen picture. However, that momentum was quickly disrupted in a rough appearance against the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday.
In that outing, Adams struggled significantly, allowing five earned runs on four hits, including two home runs, while also issuing two walks over just one inning of work. The performance inflated his season numbers and raised concerns about consistency at the major league level.
Despite that setback, Adams showed resilience by bouncing back the following day with a scoreless inning and a strikeout against the same White Sox lineup, suggesting that his stuff still plays at times even when results fluctuate.
Overall, Adams now holds a 7.20 ERA with 12 strikeouts and five walks across 10 innings pitched in the majors this season. His career numbers also reflect ongoing struggles at the highest level, as he carries a 7.42 ERA across 43 2/3 innings dating back to his debut in 2025. While those statistics are underwhelming, the organization has continued to view him as a developmental arm rather than a finished product, particularly given his injuries and limited major league experience.
Adams began the current season on the injured list due to a right triceps strain, which delayed his ability to establish rhythm early in the year. Since returning, he has shown occasional promise, including stretches where his ERA was significantly more respectable before the blow-up outing against Chicago. The Twins have generally treated him as a depth option who can be moved between Triple-A and the majors depending on bullpen needs and performance trends.
Despite his demotion, Adams is widely expected to return to Minnesota at some point later in the season, especially if he can refine his command and limit hard contact in St. Paul. The organization values his arm strength and versatility, but consistency remains the key factor in determining whether he can stick long term in a relief role.
With Adams sent down, attention immediately turns to who will replace him on the Twins’ active roster. Several internal candidates are being considered, with left-handed reliever Kody Funderburk, right-hander John Klein, and right-hander Cody Laweryson all mentioned as possible options to fill the vacancy in the bullpen.
Funderburk previously posted a 2.82 ERA with a 5.44 FIP over 16 innings before being optioned to Triple-A St. Paul. However, his recent stint in the minors has been less effective, as he has allowed five earned runs over just five innings since his demotion. Despite those struggles, his previous major league success and left-handed profile could still make him a logical candidate depending on matchup needs.
Klein, meanwhile, received a brief opportunity in the majors earlier this month. He impressed in his debut by throwing a scoreless inning against the Toronto Blue Jays, but his second appearance against the Washington Nationals was less effective, as he allowed two runs over 1 1/3 innings before being sent back down. Since returning to Triple-A, Klein has recorded 16 strikeouts over 12 1/3 innings, though he has also allowed five earned runs, indicating a mix of swing-and-miss ability and occasional control issues.
Laweryson presents another intriguing option, particularly given his recovery status and previous experience with the big league club this season. During his earlier stint with Minnesota, he allowed four runs (three earned) on three hits and two walks while striking out eight over 6 1/3 innings before landing on the injured list with a right forearm strain. On his current rehab assignment in St. Paul, he has allowed six runs (five earned) on five hits and three walks across 4 2/3 innings, along with five strikeouts. Despite the uneven results, some observers believe his prior MLB exposure and bullpen versatility could give him an edge in the call-up race.
Among fans and analysts following the team closely, speculation has already begun about which direction the Twins will choose. Some believe Laweryson’s experience and organizational trust may give him the inside track, while others point to Funderburk’s left-handed value or Klein’s strikeout upside as compelling alternatives. The decision will likely depend on matchups, bullpen workload, and how the front office wants to balance short-term performance with long-term development.
The Twins are currently coming off a disappointing stretch in which they dropped three of four games against the Chicago White Sox in Chicago, a series that exposed inconsistencies across both pitching and offense. The team now shifts its focus to a three-game set against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park, where they will look to regain momentum and stabilize their roster situation.
Game 1 of the series is scheduled for Friday at 5:45 p.m. Central Daylight Time. The Twins are expected to start right-hander Taj Bradley, while the Pirates are slated to counter with right-hander Jared Jones, who is returning to the mound after a long absence following a UCL internal brace procedure that kept him out since September 2024. The matchup will be available for streaming on Apple TV, adding a national spotlight to a game that could also feature the debut of Adams’ replacement in Minnesota’s bullpen rotation.
