Sands looks set to make the Opening Day roster for the Twins as a long reliever, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.
Danny Coulombe and Bailey Ober were sent to Triple-A, which makes it almost certain Sands will begin the season in the majors. Manager Rocco Baldelli said he wants to keep a long reliever in the bullpen, so Sands will fill that role. Despite a 5.55 ERA at Triple-A last season, Sands was called up to the majors several times thanks to a strong strikeout rate (10.5 K/9).