The Minnesota Twins will open their 2026 spring training games with a matchup against the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Friday before facing the Boston Red Sox on Saturday. With fans excited to see the Twins back in action, here are the latest spring training updates.
Twins executive chair Tom Pohlad gives inspiring speech to players
Before the Twins had their first full-squad workout on Monday, Pohlad gave a speech to the players, according to The Minnesota Star Tribune's Bobby Nightengale.
"We’re just setting the tone for the season, setting our expectations," Pohlad said. "Just trying to get people aligned with what the new direction of the team is going to be with three new leaders in the room, being [Derek Shelton, Jeremy Zoll] and myself."
Pohlad has made it clear he wants to be more present to the team than his younger brother Joe was when running the organization. Making a speech to the players may not seem like a big deal, but it shows that Tom is willing to put in more effort to be available to the players, coaches and media.
Twins pitchers Julian Merryweather, top prospect Connor Prielipp each add another pitch to arsenal
Merryweather, a former Cub, signed a minor-league deal with the Twins last week. He's coming off a rough 2025 season, but has had big-league success in the past. Nightengale reported that he's been throwing a splitter, a new pitch for the righty, during camp that hitters "looked helpless against". Previously, Merryweather mainly threw a fastball and a slider. His fastball hit 96 mph during live batting practice.
Top pitching prospect Connor Prielipp has also added another pitch, a curveball, to his arsenal, according to Zone Coverage's Theo Tollefson. He had also added a sinker late last season. The Twins hope his curveball and sinker can help the lefty get hitters to chase pitches outside the zone more often.
Zebby Matthews slated to pitch against Minnesota Golden Gophers Friday
The Gophers will have a tough time on Friday when they face Matthews, who is looking to claim a starting rotation spot with a strong spring. While he has struggled in the majors, the righty has dominated the minors and possesses a nasty pitch arsenal that includes a mid-to-high-90s four-seamer and sinker, high-80s slider, low-90s cutter, high-80s changeup, and low-90s curveball. The game between the Twins and Gophers is scheduled to begin at 5:05 p.m. CST and will be available to stream on Twins.TV.
Joe Ryan scheduled to pitch against Boston Red Sox Saturday
Joe Ryan will take the mound against Boston on Saturday, according to The Athletic's Dan Hayes. Ryan will be opposed on the mound by lefty Payton Tolle. The game is scheduled to begin at 12:05 p.m. CST and will be available to stream on Twins.TV.