Sands threw a scoreless eighth inning, allowing a walk while striking out two to earn his ninth hold Sunday against Cleveland.
Sands was thought to be the presumptive closer after the top five options were traded away at the deadline, but he was used in the eighth inning with the Twins having a three-run lead. Michael Tonkin was used to begin the ninth inning but struggled, and Erasmo Ramirez got the final two outs for the save. It's possible Sands was used in the eighth inning to face the heart of the order and is still thought of as the top option in the bullpen. However, after one game it looks like manager Rocco Baldelli may use a committee in save situations.
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Twins' Cole Sands: Set for closer role
Rotowire
Sands will likely work as the primary closer after the trades of Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax and Louis Varland, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Twins manager Rocco Baldelli told Sands and Justin Topa to be prepared for late-inning high-leverage roles.
Sands had a breakout season as a reliever in 2024, but he's taken a step back this season with just an 18.8 percent strikeout rate, down from 29.1 percent last season. He's had the most success of the remaining bullpen arms, so he'll likely get a decent trial in the role. Topa will become the primary setup man.
Sands will serve as the Twins' opening pitcher in Sunday's game against the Nationals.
He'll serve as an opener for the third time this season after lasting no more than two innings in starts July 5 and July 12. It's not clear whether Sands will be followed by a bulk reliever such as Travis Adams, or if the Twins will use a true bullpen day.
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Twins' Cole Sands: Opening Saturday's game
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Sands will serve as the Twins' opening pitcher for Saturday's game against the Pirates.
Since Bailey Ober (hip) joined Zebby Matthews (shoulder) and Pablo Lopez (shoulder) on the injured list earlier this month, the Twins have yet to settle on a new No. 5 starter. For the second straight turn through Ober's spot in the rotation, the Twins are opting for a bullpen day that will be led off by Sands, who previously tossed a scoreless frame in his most recent start last Saturday versus the Rays. Travis Adams pitched four innings in long relief in that contest and will likely be tasked with covering multiple frames once again Saturday after Sands exits the contest.
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Twins' Cole Sands: Opening Saturday
Rotowire
Sands will start Saturday's game against the Rays.
Sands pitched one-third of an inning during a win in Friday's series opener, and the Twins will now let him face the top of Tampa Bay's batting order to begin Saturday's game. The 27-year-old isn't expected to last more than an inning or two before turning things over to Minnesota's bullpen.
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Twins' Cole Sands: Picks up second save
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Sands struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his second save of the season in a 3-0 win over the Brewers.
Jhoan Duran was unavailable after pitching Wednesday and Thursday, but manager Rocco Baldelli elected to use Griffin Jax in the eighth inning Friday against the top of Milwaukee's order before handing the ball to Sands for the ninth. Sands has earned his spot in Minnesota's high-leverage crew with a 2.55 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB through 17.2 innings on the season, but despite picking up two saves in the last three days -- his first came in the second game of Wednesday's twin bill after Duran had worked the matinee -- the 27-year-old righty still appears to be no higher than third in the pecking order for closing duties.
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Twins' Cole Sands: Called on for first save
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Sands recorded his first save of the season in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Orioles, pitching a perfect ninth inning in an 8-6 win. He didn't walk or strike out a batter.
Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax both worked the opening game of the twin bill, leaving Sands to handle the save chance in the nightcap. The 27-year-old righty has been effective in a high-leverage role this season, collecting two wins and five holds over 18 appearances in addition to Wednesday's save while delivering a 2.70 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 12:6 K:BB through 16.2 innings.
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Twins' Cole Sands: Gets on track
Rotowire
Sands threw a perfect inning in Saturday's Grapefruit League win over Boston, striking out three without allowing a baserunner. He's given up three runs in 2.2 innings this spring with four strikeouts and two walks.
Sands emerged as a solid relief arm in 2024. His average fastball velocity jumped from 93.6 mph in 2023 to 95.5 mph last season, and his control improved as well. He'll be used in a high-leverage role again and could be a sneaky source of holds after recording only six in 62 appearances last year.
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Twins' Cole Sands: Notches fourth save
Rotowire
Sands earned a save against the Rangers on Saturday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning of work.
Minnesota carried a three-run lead into the ninth inning, and manager Rocco Baldelli elected to call upon Sands with primary closer Jhoan Duran having pitched on three consecutive days. The decision proved to be the right one, as Sands cruised to a save by retiring the side in order on just nine pitches. The right-hander has registered a career-high four saves on the campaign, though his opportunities in that regard are highly unpredictable with Duran having a firm grasp on the closer role and Griffin Jax typically second in line with eight saves on the season.
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Twins' Cole Sands: Snags third save
Rotowire
Sands picked up the save in Monday's 7-2 victory over the Phillies, pitching two clean innings with two strikeouts.
The 27-year-old reliever entered the game in the eighth inning with a 4-2 lead and was allowed to finish off the game for his fourth career save after the Twins scored three runs in the bottom of the frame. Sands has been a solid bullpen option this year, pitching to a 3.38 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 53:7 K:BB across 45.1 innings. However this save was an anomaly, as Jhoan Duran remains firmly cemented as the closer for the Twins, with Griffin Jax a more than capable understudy.
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Twins' Cole Sands: Earns second win in relief
Rotowire
Sands (2-0) earned the win in Saturday's 5-3 win over Texas. He allowed no hits or walks while striking out two over two perfect innings.
It was a nice bounce-back outing from Sands after he allowed five earned runs on five hits and two walks over 2.1 innings over his prior three appearances. He was used in some high-leverage spots while Jhoan Duran was out for a month with a back injury, but Sands may be used earlier in games with Duran healthy.
Sands struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Saturday to record his second save of the season in a 3-1 win over the Red Sox.
Jhoan Duran surprisingly worked the eighth and got the hold against the heart of Boston's order, leaving Sands to face the 7-8-9 hitters. With Brock Stewart (shoulder) on the shelf, Sands could be moving up in the bullpen pecking order for the Twins, but Griffin Jax and Caleb Thielbar had also both pitched Friday and were likely only available in an emergency. Sands has pitched well enough to earn a high-leverage role, posting a 2.93 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 22:2 K:BB through 15.1 innings.
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Twins' Cole Sands: Picks up first save
Rotowire
Sands earned the save in game two of Saturday's doubleheader against the Tigers, pitching 2.1 perfect innings while striking out three.
Sands relieved Kody Funderburk with two outs in the bottom of the seventh and was able to retire the final batter on just one pitch to close out the frame. The right-hander returned in the eighth and ninth innings and retired the final six batters in succession, earning his first save of the 2024 campaign. Sands has allowed just one run over 7.2 innings of relief to begin the season, posting a 12:1 K:BB over that early stretch. He's also recorded multiple strikeouts in each of his four appearances.
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Twins' Cole Sands: Gives up homer in season debut
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Sands gave up a run over two innings with two strikeouts, no walks and a home run allowed in Sunday's blowout loss at Kansas City.
Sands made the major-league roster as a long reliever. He shuffled between Triple-A and the majors multiple times last season, working in a long-relief role with the Twins. He posted a respectable 3.74 ERA, but it was accompanied by an 8.7 K/9 and 5.5 BB/9. At least he didn't allow any walks in his first outing.
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Twins' Cole Sands: Could make Opening Day roster
Rotowire
Sands could make Minnesota's major-league roster in a long-relief role to begin the season, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.
Sands shuffled between Triple-A and the majors multiple times last season, working in a long-relief role with the Twins. He posted a respectable 3.74 ERA, but it was accompanied by an 8.7 K/9 and 5.5 BB/9. If he begins the season in the majors, he may end up splitting time between Triple-A and the big-league club again.
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