Twins' lefty reliever Kody Funderburk has had an interesting career thus far
The perception of left-handed reliever Kody Funderburk has been volatile since he made his MLB debut with Minnesota in 2023. After the Twins selected the southpaw's contract in late Aug. 2023, he became a solid bullpen option for Minnesota for the final month of the season, allowing just one earned run on six hits (one homer), five walks and a hit-batter while collecting 19 strikeouts in 12 innings across 11 outings.
The 2024 season was a different story for the left-hander. He spent much of the year with Triple-A St. Paul and was sidelined for about two months with a left oblique strain. He appeared in 27 games for the Twins in 2024, posting an awful 6.49 ERA over 34 2/3 innings. He didn't pitch well with the Saints, either, surrendering nine earned runs in 13 1/3 innings.
Funderburk also spent a large chunk of the 2025 season with the Saints. But he was actually successful, posting a 1.78 ERA in 25 1/3 innings. The Twins optioned him four separate times during the year, and he stuck with the team for the remainder of the season after being recalled on July 25, less than a week before the Twins traded relievers Jhoan Durán, Griffin Jax, Louis Varland, Brock Stewart and Danny Coulombe.
In 17 MLB innings spanning from mid-April to late-July last season, Funderburk allowed 14 earned runs on 25 hits and eight walks. While he had pitched well in Triple-A that year, it appeared he may not have what it takes to be a consistent big-league reliever. However, he changed that narrative with a dominant performance over the final two months of the season. In 24 innings across August and September of 2025, Funderburk allowed just two earned runs on 19 hits and 10 walks while collecting 28 strikeouts.
However, despite his success last season, Funderburk may not crack the Twins' Opening Day roster. Here's why.
Kody Funderburk may miss Twins' Opening Day roster cut despite 2025 success due to Minnesota acquiring several established lefties
It seemed as if Funderburk was a lock to make Minnesota's Opening Day bullpen until the Twins brought in lefties Taylor Rogers, Anthony Banda and Andrew Chafin. Rogers and Banda are locks to make the Opening Day roster, while Chafin is a bit of a question mark. Still, Chafin had a successful 2025 season, posting a 2.41 ERA in 33 2/3 innings, and has been in the big leagues for a while, giving him a good chance to make the roster over Funderburk. Regardless, Funderburk should be part of the big-league bullpen at some point in 2026, even if he isn't on Opening Day.