The MLB playoffs are finally here. The Wild Card Series will begin on Tuesday. The Twins unfortunately aren't in the postseason, but fans can still root for several former players during the playoffs. Earlier today, Puckett's Pond published a piece highlighting former Twins position players in the playoffs. Now let's take a look at the former Twins pitchers to watch in the postseason.
11 former Twins pitchers to watch during the 2026 playoffs
LHP Caleb Thielbar - Chicago Cubs
Thielbar pitched for the Twins from 2013-15. After a long absence from MLB, he pitched for Minnesota from 2020-24.
Thielbar has pitched for the Cubs the past two seasons. He had a rough 2026 season, posting a 4.86 ERA over 50 innings.
The Cubs will play the San Diego Padres in the National League Wild Card Series at Petco Park this week.
RHP Jhoan Duran - Philadelphia Phillies
Duran pitched for Minnesota from 2022-25. Minnesota traded the star closer to Philadelphia for right-hander Mick Abel and catcher Eduardo Tait as part of the 2025 trade deadline fire sale.
Duran had a remarkable 2026 season, posting a 1.82 ERA with 33 saves and 84 strikeouts over 59 1/3 innings.
The Phillies will play the Atlanta Braves in the National League Wild Card Series at Truist Park this week.
RHP Tyler Mahle - Atlanta Braves
Minnesota acquired Mahle from the Cincinnati Reds at the 2022 trade deadline. Because of injuries, Mahle made just four starts in 2022 for the Twins and five in 2023 before becoming a free agent.
The Braves acquired Mahle from the San Francisco Giants at this year's trade deadline. Mahle has been remarkable since joining Atlanta, recording a 1.99 ERA with 48 strikeouts in 54 1/3 innings across nine starts.
RHP Trevor Megill - Milwaukee Brewers
Megill posted a 4.80 ERA over 45 innings out of Minnesota's bullpen in 2022, his lone season with the Twins. Now, he is the Brewers' primary closer.
This year, Megill posted a 2.63 ERA with 30 saves and 69 strikeouts over 61 2/3 innings. He recorded a sub-3.00 ERA in each of the past three seasons.
The Brewers have a first-round bye in the postseason. They will play the winner of the NL Wild Card Series between the Cubs and Padres in the National League Division Series.
RHP Brock Stewart - Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers acquired Stewart from the Twins for outfielder James Outman at last year's trade deadline. Stewart, who pitched for the Twins from 2023-25, has struggled to stay healthy since joining the Dodgers, but he is healthy right now.
This season, Stewart has recorded a strong 2.70 ERA with 25 strikeouts over 26 2/3 innings.
Los Angeles has a first-round bye. The club will play the winner of the NL Wild Card Series between Philadelphia and Atlanta in the National League Division Series.
RHP Michel Fulmer - New York Yankees
The Twins acquired Fulmer from the Detroit Tigers ahead of the 2022 trade. Since then, he has bounced around the league, pitching for four different teams.
The Yankees signed Fulmer late last month after he had been designated for assignment by the Los Angeles Angels. He recorded a 4.50 ERA with 14 strikeouts over 10 innings with New York this year.
The Yankees will play the Boston Red Sox in the American League Wild Card Series at Yankee Stadium this week.
LHP Brent Headrick - New York Yankees
Headrick can be described as 'the one who got away.' Headrick, a 2019 Twins draft pick, made just 15 appearances across two seasons with Minnesota before being designated for assignment in the 2024-25 offseason. The Yankees claimed him off waivers from the Twins, and he is now one of the team's top bullpen arms.
Headrick posted a remarkable 2.18 ERA with 98 strikeouts over 78 1/3 innings with New York this year.
RHP Sonny Gray - Boston Red Sox
Gray was one of the Twins' best starting pitchers from 2022-23 and finished runner-up in AL Cy Young Award voting in 2023. After the 2023 season, the St. Louis Cardinals. St. Louis traded him to Boston this past offseason.
Gray had a strong 2026 season, posting a 2.72 ERA with 149 strikeouts in 169 innings over 29 starts.
LHP Jovani Morán - Boston Red Sox
Morán pitched for the Twins from 2021-23. He also spent the 2024 season with the Twins organization but was injured all year.
Minnesota traded Morán to Boston for Mickey Gasper after the 2024 season. Ironically, Gasper is now back with the Red Sox.
The southpaw posted a solid 3.15 ERA with 73 strikeouts over 65 2/3 innings this year.
RHP Trevor Richards - Chicago White Sox
If you blinked, you might've missed Trevor Richards' stint with Minnesota. The Twins acquired Richards from the Toronto Blue Jays in July 2024. Minnesota designated Richards for assignment in late August 2024 after he struggled immensely for the Twins. Minnesota outrighted him to Triple-A, and he elected free agency in the following offseason.
Richards began the season with the Philadelphia Phillies. Philadelphia traded him to Chicago for cash in May.
The right-hander posted a 3.78 ERA with 68 strikeouts over 78 2/3 innings with the White Sox this season.
Chicago will play the Houston Astros in the American League Wild Card Series at Daikin Park this week.
RHP Griffin Jax - Tampa Bay Rays
Jax made his MLB debut with the Twins in 2021. He stayed with the organization until the Rays acquired him at last year's trade deadline for right-hander Taj Bradley.
Jax began his Twins career as a reliever but quickly converted to a pitcher. The Rays moved him back to a starter role this season. The right-hander recorded a 3.53 ERA with 116 strikeouts in 112 1/3 innings across 34 games (23 starts) this year.
The Rays have a first-round bye in the postseason. They will play the winner of the Wild Card Series between the Yankees and Red Sox in the American League Division Series.
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