The Minnesota Twins optioned left-handed pitcher Kendry Rojas to Triple-A St. Paul after Thursday's 10-8 loss to the New York Mets, according to The Athletic's Dan Hayes. Minnesota presumably demoted Rojas to clear a roster spot for left-handed reliever Kody Funderburk, who is expected to return from the paternity list for Friday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays in Florida.
Many Twins fans were upset when they heard that Minnesota optioned Rojas, who threw two scoreless innings despite struggling with command in his MLB debut against the Mets at Citi Field on Wednesday, instead of designating left-handed reliever Anthony Banda for assignment.
Kendry Rojas made his MLB debut!
— Thomas Nestico (@TJStats) April 23, 2026
The Twins southpaw struggled with his command, issuing 3 walks in 2.0 scoreless innings. On a positive note, his heater hovered in the upper 90s and his secondaries flashed the traits that made him a borderline Top 100 Prospect
Congrats! pic.twitter.com/jmjCwfO9rS
Why was it not Banda, Dan?
— The MattMan (@OvertheWallner) April 24, 2026
Banda survives lol what a joke
— Nick Johnson (@nickjj42) April 24, 2026
Last night, catcher Ryan Jeffers hit a game-tying grand slam with two outs in the eighth inning.
RY4N JEFFERS!
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) April 24, 2026
TIE GAME!! pic.twitter.com/ehXt9E2Ir5
Banda immediately gave Mets back the lead after Jeffers' game-tying grand slam Thursday
After pitching scoreless sixth and seventh innings, righty Andrew Morris got two outs but allowed two baserunners in the bottom of the eighth. Banda, whom the Twins acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers for international bonus pool space in February, relieved Morris and walked Tommy Pham to load the bases. Then, the former Dodger surrendered a three-run double to Bo Bichette, giving New York a 10-7 lead. The Twins brought the tying run to second base in the top of the ninth before righty Devin Williams struck out Trevor Larnach to end the game.
Bases-clearing double for Bo Bichette and the Mets retake the lead! pic.twitter.com/IKZbORKdIH
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 24, 2026
After his rough outing last night, Banda has an awful 9.90 ERA and 1.600 WHIP in 10 innings this season. He's surrendered 13 hits, three walks and an MLB-leading four hit-batters in 2026.
Twins fans, myself included, liked Minnesota's decision to acquire Banda from Los Angeles at the time of the trade. Banda posted a 3.08 ERA with 50 strikeouts and 18 walks in 49 1/3 innings with the Dodgers in 2024, and allowed just one run with 11 strikeouts across eight innings during the 2024 postseason, helping the Dodgers win their first World Series since 2020. Banda had another solid season with the Dodgers in 2025, pitching to a 3.18 ERA with 61 strikeouts in 65 innings.
However, despite his good results last season, Banda walked 34 batters and had a 4.52 FIP. The lefty struggled during the 2025 World Series as well, allowing six earned runs in three innings across four games. The Dodgers decided that Banda's poor peripherals and postseason struggles last year were enough reason to cut the southpaw loose. So far, it looks like Los Angeles made the right decision.
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