Minnesota Twins Release Veteran Pitcher AJ Minter

The 33-year-old reliever enters free agency after a decade in Major League Baseball.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Baseball

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The Minnesota Twins released veteran pitcher AJ Minter on Wednesday, making the 10-year major league veteran an unrestricted free agent. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Minnesota Twins have officially released 10-year MLB veteran AJ Minter. The move grants the pitcher free agent status as he navigates the upcoming offseason.

Why it matters

Minter now enters the free agent market as an experienced left-handed bullpen option following his split tenure between the Mets and Twins during the 2026 season.

Minter recorded a 2.56 ERA and 41 strikeouts across more than 45 innings of work in 2026. This performance yielded a 164 ERA+ for the season.

The players

AJ Minter

He is a 33-year-old relief pitcher and 10-year MLB veteran known for his tenure with the Atlanta Braves.

Minnesota Twins

This professional baseball team is based in Minneapolis and competes in the American League Central division.

Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball organization that competes in the National League East.

New York Mets

The New York Mets are a professional baseball club playing in the National League East division.

The details

Minter, who previously spent eight seasons with the Atlanta Braves and won the 2021 World Series, joined the Twins via a trade from the New York Mets at the 2026 trade deadline. He has served as a professional pitcher for a decade.

Timeline

  1. AJ Minter won the World Series with the Atlanta Braves in 2021.

  2. The New York Mets traded Minter to the Minnesota Twins at the 2026 trade deadline.

  3. Minter appeared for both the Mets and Twins during the 2026 season.

  4. AJ Minter officially became a free agent on October 29, 2026.

Season Trajectory

This roster move alters the Minnesota Twins bullpen composition and changes the landscape for teams seeking high-leverage relief help. Minter's entry into free agency may trigger interest from contenders looking for experienced arms to bolster their pitching staff for the 2027 season.

Fantasy managers should note that Minter is currently unattached to an MLB roster, impacting bullpen hierarchy projections for 2027. His availability as a free agent makes him a target for clubs needing established relief depth.

The takeaway

Minter remains a notable free agent target due to his decade of experience and high ERA+ efficiency in 2026. Teams looking for proven bullpen depth may consider his track record, including his championship experience, during the upcoming offseason.

Further reading

For more news on local team roster updates, visit the Minneapolis Baseball section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Heavy.

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