This week, the Minnesota Twins 2025 record fell to 30-25, when they dropped two of three road games against the Rays, who currently play home games at the Yankees’ minor league stadium down in Tampa, after Tropicana Field was destroyed by Hurricane Milton.
In their recent string of losses, it’s been the Twins bats that have gone to sleep. Minnesota’s pitching staff remains among the best in the MLB. But the Twins’ starting rotation wasn’t always the bright spot of this roster.
Kyle Gibson signing with Tampa Bay Rays
Not that long ago, it was a group lead by names like Phil Hughes, Michael Pineda and Kyle Gibson. Those were not the good old days. Speaking of Gibby, who is now at the end of his career and recently released by the Baltimore Orioles, he has a new team. Coincidentally, it’s the aforementioned Tampa Bay Rays.
This offseason, Gibson flirted with retirement, before the Baltimore Orioles lured him back onto the mound with a $5.25 million salary. Unfortunately for Kyle and the Orioles, he struggled (along with the rest of the staff) and he was DFA’d last week.
The Rays play in the same AL East that the Baltimore Orioles, whose starting staff has been the worst in all of baseball. Tampa Bay — who held the Twins to four runs in three games during their series — checks in at 25th overall.
In four starts with Baltimore, Gibson allowed 23 runs on 29 hits across just 12 1/3 innings. He had a paltry 10/7 K/BB and served up seven dingers. It’s possible that Gibson provides the Rays some length out of the bullpen, and is able to show a level of veteran leadership.
There isn’t much on the line for Tampa Bay either. Baltimore is footing the entire $5.25 million bill after Gibson cleared waivers. The Rays are on the hook for just a prorated portion of the big league minimum. The Rays will come to Minnesota over 4th of July weekend at Target Field. We’ll see if Gibby is still around by then.
Rays send former Minnesota Twins catcher packing
On Tuesday night, former Minnesota Twins catching prospect Ben Rortvedt played against his former franchise. The Rays designated him for assignment, immediately after that game vs the Twins, because they needed to make room for newly acquired Matt Thais from the Chicago White Sox.
Rortvedt was in his second year with Tampa Bay, after joining them in 2024, following a stop with the New York Yankees. The former second round pick from Wisconsin has always been a defensive player first. Last season, he batted .228/.317/.303 in 112 games for Tampa Bay. The 80 OPS+ with plus defense.
This season, Rortvedt appeared in 26 games and batted just .095/.186/.297 (-11 OPS+). At 27 years old, however, it’s likely he’ll find another shot somewhere. Wherever he lands, it’s probably be in the minors.
