The Minnesota Twins have optioned Ryan Kreidler and Eric Wagaman to Triple-A St. Paul, according to the team's transaction log.
While Wagaman being optioned isn't a shock, it's a bit surprising that Kreidler is headed to Triple-A, as many assumed he'd be the team's backup shortstop behind Brooks Lee. Since Kreidler can also play outfield, many had thought it would make the most sense for him to be on the team as the backup shortstop, given his defensive versatility.
With Kreidler optioned, the backup shortstop role is down to two candidates.
Twins' backup shortstop candidates are Tristan Gray, Orlando Arcia after Kreidler optioned
Gray is on the 40-man roster while Arcia is a non-roster invitee in camp. Therefore, if the Twins want Arcia on their Opening Day roster, the team will have to clear a 40-man roster spot. If they choose Gray to back up Lee, no corresponding 40-man roster move will have to be made.
Both backup shortstop candidates can also play the other three infield positions. Gray bats from the left side, and Arcia is a right-handed hitter.
Both players have struggled at the plate this spring. In 2026 Grapefruit League play, Gray is slashing .205/.295/.308 over 44 plate appearances, and Arcia is hitting .207/.250/.414 over 32 plate appearances. Since Gray has received more playing time, it appears he's the primary candidate to be the Twins' backup shortstop on Opening Day in Baltimore on Thursday.
After appearing in two big-league games in 2023 and 15 in 2024, Gray played in 30 games with the Tampa Bay Rays last season. In 86 plate appearances with Tampa Bay in 2025, Gray slashed .231/.282/.410 (91 OPS+) with three home runs, five doubles and nine RBI.
Unusual for a left-handed hitter, Gray struggled significantly against right-handed pitchers but excelled against southpaws last season; the 30-year-old infielder hit .179/.242/.286 across 56 at-bats against righties, and posted a .364/.391/.727 slash line over 22 at-bats against lefties.
The Twins acquired Gray, who holds a career .242/.310/.472 slash line at the Triple-A level, from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for minor-league catcher Nate Baez back in January. The Rays had traded Gray, who was selected in the 13th round of the 2017 MLB Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates, to the Red Sox earlier in the offseason.
Arcia could still earn the backup shortstop role. He has 10 seasons of big-league experience and is a former All-Star and World Series champion. Still, most signs point toward Gray being on the Opening Day roster.