Twins’ Decision to DFA Simeon Woods Richardson Could Come Back to Haunt Minnesota

The Minnesota Twins made what many viewed as an inevitable roster move when they designated pitcher Simeon Woods Richardson for assignment. After struggling through the first two months of the 2026 MLB season, the 25-year-old right-hander appeared to have exhausted every opportunity to remain in the starting rotation.

With a league-high seven losses and a 7.74 ERA across 12 appearances, including 10 starts, Woods Richardson had become one of the most frustrating stories on Minnesota’s roster. As a player out of minor league options, the Twins had limited flexibility and ultimately chose to place him on waivers.

At first glance, the move seemed logical.

However, a deeper look at the circumstances surrounding the decision suggests the Twins may have acted too quickly. What initially appeared to be a necessary roster adjustment could eventually be remembered as a costly mistake—especially if another organization unlocks the potential Woods Richardson has shown in previous seasons.

Kendry Rojas Injury Created a Domino Effect

The situation became far more complicated because of injuries elsewhere in the organization.

Highly regarded pitching prospect Kendry Rojas had been scheduled to start Minnesota’s series finale against the Chicago White Sox. However, plans changed suddenly when Rojas experienced soreness in his left elbow, forcing the Twins to scratch him from the start.

That unexpected development placed Woods Richardson into an emergency role.

Unfortunately for both the pitcher and the organization, the outing went poorly.

Pressed into action on short notice, Woods Richardson allowed five earned runs in just 2.2 innings. Although all five runs came with two outs, the damage was significant enough to contribute to a disappointing 6-2 defeat.

The poor performance only strengthened the perception that a roster change was necessary.

Yet the broader context reveals that Woods Richardson may have become the casualty of circumstances rather than simply his own struggles.

Injuries Continue to Stretch Minnesota’s Pitching Staff

The Twins have spent much of the season attempting to manage a growing list of pitching concerns.

Taj Bradley’s workload has been carefully monitored following his recovery from a pectoral injury, forcing Minnesota to be cautious with his innings. As a result, the bullpen has frequently been asked to cover additional outs.

That strain became evident during a narrow 6-5 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates, when Minnesota’s relievers were required to throw more than four innings.

Facing a shortage of available arms, the Twins responded by designating Woods Richardson for assignment and promoting John Klein from Triple-A St. Paul.

While many fans applauded the move, believing Woods Richardson had run out of chances, the decision carried considerable risk.

Woods Richardson’s Track Record Suggests There Is Still Potential

It is easy to focus exclusively on Woods Richardson’s disappointing 2026 statistics.

However, doing so ignores the larger body of work he produced over the previous two seasons.

Between 2024 and 2025, Woods Richardson compiled a respectable 12-9 record with a 4.11 ERA across 51 appearances, including 50 starts. Those numbers do not represent an ace-level pitcher, but they do indicate someone capable of contributing at the major league level.

More importantly, some underlying metrics suggest his struggles this season may not be entirely irreversible.

One area that stands out is pitch usage.

According to advanced data, Woods Richardson’s splitter was one of his most effective pitches in previous seasons. Opposing hitters struggled significantly against it, producing very little hard contact.

This year, however, the pitch has become far less effective.

The increased usage rate has coincided with dramatically worse results, suggesting adjustments to pitch selection rather than wholesale mechanical changes could help restore his effectiveness.

For teams looking for affordable pitching depth, that possibility will be extremely appealing.

Success Out of the Bullpen Offered Another Option

Another factor that makes Minnesota’s decision questionable is Woods Richardson’s recent success in relief appearances.

Before being designated for assignment, he delivered two strong bullpen outings, throwing three scoreless innings while demonstrating improved command and effectiveness.

Those appearances hinted at a possible solution.

Rather than continuing to struggle as a starter, Woods Richardson may have been able to transition into a multi-inning relief role where his stuff could play up and his weaknesses could be minimized.

Many successful pitchers have revived their careers through similar transitions.

Instead, Minnesota chose to expose him to waivers despite already having concerns about bullpen depth.

That decision becomes even more puzzling considering what happened immediately afterward.

More Injuries Raise Additional Questions

The Twins’ pitching situation deteriorated further shortly after Woods Richardson was designated.

Kendry Rojas was officially placed on the injured list because of a triceps injury, removing another potential rotation option.

Soon afterward, Bailey Ober joined him on the injured list following a rough outing against Pittsburgh in which he surrendered eight runs.

Suddenly, Minnesota found itself even thinner in the starting rotation than before.

Meanwhile, John Klein—the player promoted to replace Woods Richardson—was sent back to Triple-A shortly thereafter.

The sequence of events raises an obvious question: if the Twins needed pitching depth so badly, was designating Woods Richardson truly the best course of action?

Another Team Could Benefit

One reason the move could eventually prove costly is Woods Richardson’s age and remaining upside.

At just 25 years old, he remains young enough for another organization to believe meaningful development is still possible.

Pitchers with previous major-league success rarely pass through waivers unnoticed, particularly when they possess multiple years of team control.

Several teams searching for rotation depth or bullpen reinforcements could view Woods Richardson as a worthwhile reclamation project.

A new coaching staff might simplify his pitch mix, alter his role, or make subtle adjustments that unlock more consistent results.

If that happens, Minnesota may regret giving up on him so quickly.

Was This a Knee-Jerk Reaction?

The timing of the move has led some observers to question whether the Twins acted out of necessity or frustration.

The combination of Rojas’ injury, bullpen fatigue, and Woods Richardson’s latest poor outing created a perfect storm that demanded an immediate roster decision.

However, immediate solutions do not always produce the best long-term outcomes.

Instead of working through Woods Richardson’s issues or transitioning him into a bullpen role, the Twins chose the most drastic option available.

That choice could ultimately cost them a valuable arm.

Final Thoughts

The Minnesota Twins had legitimate reasons to move on from Simeon Woods Richardson after a difficult start to the 2026 season.

His performance simply had not been good enough, and roster limitations left the organization with difficult decisions to make.

Yet baseball history is filled with examples of talented young pitchers who struggled before finding success elsewhere.

Given Woods Richardson’s age, previous production, and flashes of effectiveness, there is a very real possibility that another team claims him and benefits from Minnesota’s impatience.

If injuries continue to mount and Woods Richardson rediscovers his form with a new organization, the Twins may look back on this move as one of the more costly decisions of their season.

Sometimes the players teams give up on are the ones they end up missing the most.