The twins are released Matt Cantrinoaccording to MLB.com transaction log. It was the most likely outcome when Minnesota designated injured pitcher to serve last week. Cantrino underwent end-of-season shoulder surgery halfway through spring training.
The injured player cannot give up completely. Therefore, the twins need to trade Cantrino or release him after DFA. The trade in pitchers recovering shoulder surgery seems unlikely. Assuming he is unclaimed, Cantrino will be a free agent in terms of releasing exemptions. The twins could bring him back to a two-year minor league contract, although previous second-round picks will have the ability to explore other opportunities.
Cantrino was once one of Minnesota's most promising young weapons. Rice Products ranked first half in the top 30 baseball rankings per season between 2020-24. The mid-90s fastball and the addition of sliders gave him the opportunity to play the potential leverage of the mid-spin or bullpen.
He could hardly stay healthy throughout his career. Canterino struggled with elbow issues during his minor league tenure. That was the pioneer of Tommy John's surgery in 2022. He missed two seasons he had recovered from the program. Minnesota added him to the 40-man roster in the 2022-23 offseason to avoid losing him in the Rule 5 draft, but he has never thrown the regular season since. They hope he will come back from the elbow problem this year. Shoulder issues appear during spring training will cost him another season.
Canterino is very effective in his intermittent matches. His ERA is 1.48 ERA and his three-point shooting percentage is in 85 professional minor league frameworks. He will be 28 in December.
