Twins Claim Pitcher Off Waivers After Posting Impressive 31.4% Strikeout Rate

February 27, 2026 , ,
Cleveland Guardians pitcher Zak Kent pitches during 2025 game.

The Minnesota Twins continue reshaping their pitching depth, claiming right-hander Zak Kent off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals as spring roster battles begin to take shape. 

The move comes after Minnesota transferred Pablo Lopez to the 60-day injured list after the ace underwent an internal brace procedure that will sideline him for the entire 2026 season.

Kent’s arrival gives the Twins another arm to evaluate in what has become a wide-open bullpen picture heading into Opening Day.

Twins Add Bullpen Depth With Zak Kent Claim

Kent, who turned 28 this week, made his major league debut in 2025 with the Cleveland Guardians, posting a 4.58 ERA across 17.2 innings in 12 appearances. 

While the big-league sample was limited, his minor-league production has drawn attention. At Triple-A Columbus last season, Kent recorded a 2.84 ERA and struck out an impressive 31.4% of hitters, though his 13.2% walk rate shows the command remains a work in progress.

The right-hander isn’t overpowering with velocity, averaging 93.1 mph on his fastball, but his mid-80s slider and low-80s curveball have generated consistent swing-and-miss results.

Long Offseason Journey Lands Kent in Minnesota

Kent’s path to the Twins has been anything but stable. Since the end of the 2025 season, he has bounced between multiple organizations, moving from Cleveland to St. Louis, briefly to Texas, back to the Cardinals, and now to Minnesota after another designation for assignment.

With only a few bullpen roles firmly locked in and Lopez’s season-ending injury creating ripple effects across the pitching staff, Minnesota is taking a volume approach to find reliable depth. 

Kent will now compete alongside a group that includes established arms but still leaves room for a late-spring surprise.

Photo Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

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