The Minnesota Twins released right-handed pitcher Liam Hendriks from his minor league contract on Friday, ending his most recent stint with the organization.
Hendriks, a veteran reliever with extensive major league experience, had been in camp with the Twins on a minor league agreement. Those contracts typically give teams flexibility to evaluate players during spring training or early in the season before deciding whether to add them to the major league roster, keep them in the system, or grant their release. In this case, Minnesota chose to part ways, making Hendriks a free agent and eligible to sign with any other club.
The move closes another chapter between Hendriks and the Twins. The right-hander has previously spent time in the Minnesota organization earlier in his career, and his return on a minor league deal offered both sides an opportunity to explore a possible fit. With Friday’s decision, the Twins will look elsewhere for bullpen depth, while Hendriks can seek another opportunity with a different team.
Releases from minor league contracts at this point in the baseball calendar are not unusual. Clubs frequently reassess their organizational depth based on health, performance, and roster needs throughout spring training and into the final stages of camp. Pitchers, in particular, often face competition for a limited number of bullpen or rotation spots, and minor league deals can serve as low-risk ways for teams to add experienced arms for evaluation.
For Hendriks, the release means a reset in his search for a role for the upcoming season. As a free agent, he can negotiate with any club that views him as a potential contributor, whether in a major league bullpen or as veteran depth in the upper minors. Teams in need of experienced relief pitching often monitor these types of transactions closely as they refine their rosters before Opening Day or make contingency plans for injuries.
The Twins, meanwhile, continue to shape their pitching staff as they move closer to the regular season. Decisions regarding minor league contracts can reflect a variety of factors, including the progress of younger pitchers in camp, internal competition for roster spots, and broader organizational plans. While specific details about the internal reasoning were not disclosed, the release of Hendriks is one of many personnel moves that clubs routinely make as they fine-tune depth charts across the organization.
With this transaction, Hendriks now enters the market again, and his future destination will depend on interest from teams evaluating their late-inning and depth options heading into the season.
