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As first reported by Do-Hyoung Park, the Twins made a series of roster moves after their 5-1 loss to Atlanta today:
The #MNTwins optioned Nick Gordon, Travis Blankenhorn, Gilberto Celestino and Ben Rortvedt after today's game. They'll continue to get a lot of work done on the back fields and start to ramp up for their season.
— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) March 15, 2021
All of Gordon, Blankenhorn, Celestino, and Rortvedt are on the 40-man roster but have been expected all along to start 2021 in the minor leagues. Gordon and Blankenhorn will be eventual call-up options in the infield (Blankenhorn made his debut last year, while Gordon has yet to appear for the big club), while Celestino made some splashes in the outfield but also needs development, and Rortvedt is the team’s fourth catcher at the moment but a fine prospect.
Coupled with yesterday’s moves, this reduces the team’s active roster to 32, meaning six more players will need to be trimmed from the 40-man in order to get the roster to Opening Day size — and that’s discounting any UDFAs (see: Keon Broxton) who may have a chance at the roster. There’s still time for the team to make them.