The Minnesota Twins have successfully secured the services of veteran left-handed relief pitcher Taylor Rogers, signing him to a one-year contract valued at $2 million. This move, widely reported on Thursday, signifies a notable reunion for the All-Star with the team that originally drafted him. Rogers, a familiar face in the Twins' bullpen from 2016 to 2021, returns to bolster their pitching staff with his proven track record and extensive major league experience. His career statistics, spanning across several teams including the San Diego Padres, Milwaukee Brewers, San Francisco Giants, Cincinnati Reds, and Chicago Cubs, highlight his consistent performance as a reliable reliever.
Veteran Reliever Taylor Rogers Returns to Minnesota Twins on One-Year Deal
In a significant development for the Minnesota Twins, veteran left-handed relief pitcher Taylor Rogers, a 35-year-old talent, has officially rejoined the club on a one-year, $2 million contract. The agreement was confirmed through multiple reports on Thursday, January 22nd, 2026. Rogers' return is a full-circle moment, as he was initially drafted by the Twins in the 11th round of the 2012 MLB Draft out of the University of Kentucky. He made his major league debut with Minnesota in 2016 and earned an All-Star selection in his final season with the team in 2021, prior to his trade to the San Diego Padres in April 2022. During his initial tenure with the Twins, Rogers accumulated an impressive record of 17-18, securing 50 saves, boasting a 3.15 ERA, issuing 76 walks, and tallying 361 strikeouts across 314 2/3 innings in 319 relief appearances.
The 2025 season saw Rogers playing for two different organizations, albeit technically with three teams. He began the year with the Cincinnati Reds, where he posted a 2-2 record with a 2.45 ERA, 19 walks, and 34 strikeouts over 33 innings in 40 relief outings. On July 30th, he was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates as part of a package for third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes. The very next day, at the trade deadline, the Pirates sent him to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for minor league outfielder Ivan Brethowr. With the Cubs, Rogers recorded a 1-0 record with a 5.09 ERA, four walks, and 19 strikeouts in 17 2/3 innings across 17 relief appearances. Throughout his career, Rogers has compiled an overall record of 31-36 with 83 saves, a 3.34 ERA, 165 walks, and 626 strikeouts in 541 1/3 innings over 566 games (all in relief) for the Twins (2016-21), Padres (2022), Milwaukee Brewers (2022), San Francisco Giants (2023-24), Reds, and Cubs. Interestingly, Taylor Rogers is the identical twin brother of right-handed pitcher Tyler Rogers, who recently signed a free-agent deal with the Toronto Blue Jays in December.
This signing reflects the Twins' strategic move to fortify their bullpen with an experienced and reliable left-handed arm. Rogers' familiarity with the organization and his past success as an All-Star are invaluable assets. His return could provide much-needed stability and a veteran presence, offering a significant boost to the team's late-game pitching efforts. This move signals the Twins' intent to compete strongly in the upcoming season by investing in proven talent.