Cole Sands

Fantasy News

• Twins' Cole Sands: Converts first save opportunity

  Rotowire Mar 28, 2026

  Sands walked one and struck out two over a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Orioles. The Twins' closer competition was one to watch during spring training, and manager Derek Shelton called on Sands in the ninth inning for Minnesota's first save opportunity. The situation will likely remain fluid, but Sands appears to be the preferred choice out of the gates to begin the 2026 season.

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• Twins' Cole Sands: Twins still undecided on closer

  Rotowire Mar 25, 2026

  Sands will have a prominent role in high-leverage situations in the Minnesota bullpen, but manager Derek Shelton said he'll figure out who will close games as the season progresses, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports. "It's going to be a little bit of a meritocracy. Guys are going to pitch themselves in or out of certain roles. We have to monitor that as the season starts," said Shelton. The Twins closer situation remains a mystery even after spring training has concluded, but Sands may get the first chance to close games as the most prominent right-handed pitcher in the bullpen. However, Taylor Rogers and Justin Topa will likely also figure into the mix.

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• Twins' Cole Sands: Remains in closer competition

  Rotowire Mar 11, 2026

  Twins manager Derek Shelton said he has no idea who his closer will be this season, but Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports that Sands is still a possibility. "I'm still trying to figure it out. Sometimes, that's the answer where you're trying not to answer it," Shelton said. "I've probably done that before. But right now, I'm trying to figure it out. I don't think we have an idea of what's going to happen." We wouldn't read too much into this report as Sands is one of a handful of candidates to close or share a committee along with Taylor Rogers, Liam Hendriks, Justin Topa and a series of lefties including Anthony Banda and Andrew Chafin, but he has a chance to finish games. Sands had a breakout season as a reliever in 2024, but he took a step back last season with just a 21.4 percent strikeout rate, down from 29.1 percent. Sands has given up three runs in five innings with a 4:2 K:BB this spring.

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• Twins' Cole Sands: Avoids arbitration with Twins

  Rotowire Jan 9, 2026

  The Twins and Sands avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.1 million contract Thursday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports. Sands had been in his first year of arbitration eligibility. The 28-year-old finished 2025 with a 4.50 ERA and 64:19 K:BB over 72 innings, collecting three saves along the way. Sands is in the mix for save chances with the Twins in 2026.

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• Twins' Cole Sands: Escapes with win in blown save

  Rotowire Sep 12, 2025

  Sands (4-4) blew the save but came away with the win Friday against the Diamondbacks, striking one while allowing four runs on four hits in one inning. Though Sands matched a season worst in runs allowed while taking his fourth blown save of the year, the Twins were able to mount a ninth-inning rally to bail out the hurler and get him his fourth win of the season. Justin Topa (oblique) is out for at least two weeks while on the 15-day injured list, but Sands didn't help his case Friday for future save chances. Through 65.1 frames, Sands has a 4.27 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 58:16 K:BB.

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• Twins' Cole Sands: Opening Saturday's game

  Rotowire Jul 12, 2025

  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 Jul 5, 2025

  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: Called on for first save

  Rotowire May 15, 2025

  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 Mar 9, 2025

  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 Aug 18, 2024

  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 Jul 23, 2024

  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: Gives up homer in season debut

  Rotowire Apr 1, 2024

  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: Recalled from Triple-A

  Rotowire Aug 12, 2023

  Sands was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday. Sands appeared in four games for the Saints after he was demoted July 28, throwing 5.1 shutout innings with 10 strikeouts. He'll work in a long relief role again with the Twins after Brent Headrick was sent to Triple-A after throwing 67 pitches over 3.1 relief innings in Friday's loss to the Phillies.

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• Twins' Cole Sands: Optioned to Triple-A

  Rotowire Jul 28, 2023

  Minnesota optioned Sands to Triple-A St. Paul on Friday. Sands has posted a 4.50 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 14:9 K:BB in 14 innings of relief this season at the major-league level. Jorge Polanco (hamstring) is back from the injured list in a corresponding roster move.

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• Twins' Cole Sands: To begin throwing

  Rotowire Jun 19, 2023

  Sands (shoulder) is set to begin throwing off a mound this week, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. Sands landed on the injured list on June 4 due to a right shoulder impingement. He'll likely need to go on a rehab assignment before returning. It wouldn't be surprising to see him activated and sent to Triple-A as he's mostly served as a long reliever in the majors.

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• Twins' Cole Sands: Called up from Triple-A

  Rotowire May 13, 2023

  The Twins recalled Sands from Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports. Sands made the Twins' Opening Day roster but got into just two games before being demoted in mid-April. He returns nearly a month later with Dereck Rodriguez optioned to Triple-A.

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• Twins' Cole Sands: Rejoins team for finale

  Rotowire Oct 5, 2022

  The Twins recalled Sands from Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday. Sands will give the Twins a fresh arm out of the bullpen behind starter Louie Varland in Wednesday's season finale. Minnesota optioned Simeon Woods Richardson to Triple-A to clear room on the active roster for Sands.

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• Twins' Cole Sands: Moves down to Triple-A

  Rotowire Sep 11, 2022

  The Twins optioned Sands to Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. Minnesota will replace Sands in the bullpen with a fresh arm in Jharel Cotton, whose contract was selected from Triple-A in a corresponding move. Sands worked 3.1 innings in relief of Chris Archer (pectoral) -- who was placed on the injured list Sunday -- in Saturday's 6-4 loss to the Guardians, giving up three earned runs on two hits and five walks.

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• Twins' Cole Sands: Activated by Minnesota

  Rotowire Sep 8, 2022

  Sands (elbow) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list Thursday, Brandon Warne of Access Twins reports. Sands spent the last two weeks on the injured list with an elbow issue but recently made a pair of rehab appearances at Triple-A St. Paul. The right-hander posted a 1.29 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in seven innings over four appearances for the Twins in August.

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• Twins' Cole Sands: Starts up rehab assignment

  Rotowire Sep 4, 2022

  Sands (elbow) began a rehab assignment at Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday and made his second appearance for the affiliate Sunday, covering 2.2 innings while allowing two earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out two. Sands wasn't quite as sharp Sunday as he was during his first appearance four days earlier, when he gave up one earned run on two hits and no walks over two innings. The right-hander will likely get at least two days to rest up before the Twins decide whether to have him make another rehab outing or make his return from the 15-day injured list. He'll work as a long reliever out of the bullpen whenever he's activated.

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