The Minnesota Twins have officially recalled top pitching prospect Connor Prielipp, a lefty, to make his MLB debut as the starting pitcher against the New York Mets at Citi Field on Wednesday night. Minnesota optioned utilityman Ryan Kreidler to Triple-A St. Paul as a corresponding move.
We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/L4Kd3a6iCn
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) April 22, 2026
Prielipp, 25, replaced Mick Abel's spot in the rotation. Minnesota placed Abel on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation on Monday.
The Twins also recalled left-handed pitching prospect Kendry Rojas, 23, from Triple-A St. Paul on Tuesday. Rojas, whom the Twins acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays as part of the Louis Varland trade in July, will likely pitch multiple innings of relief on Wednesday.
The Twins have had an up-and-down season thus far. But right now, it's difficult to imagine that most Twins fans aren't excited to see their favorite team's top pitching prospect make his MLB debut, especially after Tuesday's comeback win.
Today’s the day Twins fans😁 pic.twitter.com/e1fxqyPsqb
— aidan (4.3% FC) 🌊 (@MVPrielipp) April 22, 2026
Made it to Prielipp bumpday 😁
— Josh #Keaschall4MVP 4.3%er 🏳️🌈🇵🇸🦅 (@NotFestaFanatic) April 22, 2026
After allowing one run on four hits and one walk with a professional career-high eight strikeouts across five innings in his last outing on April 16, Prielipp has a 2.30 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 15 2/3 innings across four appearances with St. Paul this season. If it hadn't been for multiple injuries, the southpaw likely would've made his MLB debut by now.
Overall, Twins fans should be ecstatic to see Prielipp pitch today. But one minor thing worth being slightly upset about is the fact that the Twins optioned Kreidler to make room for the lefty.
Kreidler optioned despite hot start to Twins career
Kreidler had been in a platoon role with Tristan Gray at third base in Royce Lewis' absence. Kreidler also made a start at center field in his short time with the Twins.
Many Twins fans would've preferred Minnesota had designated outfielder James Outman as a corresponding move to recalling Prielipp instead of demoting Kreidler. Outman failed to record a hit in his first 19 at-bats this season before collecting a single and a double in Sunday's loss to the Cincinnati Reds. Meanwhile, Kreidler hit .214/.389/.714 (205 OPS+) with two home runs, one double, four walks and four RBI in 18 plate appearances across five games with Minnesota this year. Outman can only play outfield, while Kreidler can play center field and all infield positions besides first base.
The Twins likely kept Outman on their 26-man roster over Kreidler for two reasons: first, Outman is out of minor-league options; and second, Minnesota prefers him as a pinch-runner and defensive replacement.
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