The Minnesota Twins have bolstered their bullpen by signing right-handers Liam Hendriks and Julian Merryweather to minor league contracts with invitations to spring training, in addition to acquiring left-hander Anthony Banda from the Los Angeles Dodgers. The announcement was made on Thursday in Fort Myers, Florida, marking a strategic move to reinforce a revamped pitching staff.
Anthony Banda, 32, is coming off a successful season where he posted a 3.18 ERA over a career-high 71 appearances with the World Series-winning Dodgers. His impressive performance makes him one of only 12 left-handed pitchers in Major League Baseball to achieve a sub-3.15 ERA and hold opposing batters to a batting average below .215 over the last two seasons. He brings with him valuable experience from his time with eight different major league teams in the past nine years.
Julian Merryweather, 34, has seen action over the past three seasons with the Chicago Cubs, while veteran Liam Hendriks, 37, is a three-time All-Star known for his past dominance on the mound. However, Hendriks has faced significant challenges in recent seasons, totaling just 19 appearances due to injuries, including a diagnosis of Stage 4 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma which delayed his return to the game.
Hendriks made his MLB debut with the Twins in 2011 after being signed as an amateur free agent in 2007, and over a productive stretch from 2019 to 2022, he recorded 114 saves and a 2.26 ERA while with the Oakland Athletics and the Chicago White Sox. Unfortunately, after a brief return in 2023 that ended due to elbow issues requiring Tommy John surgery, he will aim to rebound in the upcoming season.
To make space for Banda on the 40-man roster, the Twins designated right-hander Jackson Kowar for assignment. This series of transactions reflects the team’s commitment to enhancing their pitching options as they prepare for the new season. With the addition of these experienced arms, the Twins are showcasing a proactive approach in building a competitive team moving forward.