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Twins Set to Add Ben Ross to 40-Man Roster, Recall Garrett Acton to Bullpen
The Minnesota Twins are preparing to promote infielder Ben Ross to their 40‑man roster when the list expands tomorrow, reports Bobby Nightengale of the Minnesota Star‑Tribune. The move will open a slot on the roster, prompting the club to designate a player for assignment or shift someone to the 60‑day injured list.
Ross, 25, ranks 13th in the Twins’ system according to MLB.com, 22nd by Baseball America and 29th by FanGraphs. He split the 2025 season between Double‑A Wichita and Triple‑A St. Paul, amassing 490 plate appearances. His line was .274/.378/.506 with 20 homers, 20 stolen bases on 28 attempts, 30 doubles, three triples, a 13.9% walk rate and a 25.3% strikeout rate. A Notre Dame product and fifth‑round draft pick, Ross has shown the defensive flexibility to cover up to six positions.
Scouting reports emphasize Ross’s fielding strengths but note uncertainty about his ability to hit major‑league pitching, especially breaking balls. MLB.com highlights gains in exit velocity and overall contact, while FanGraphs’ Eric Longenhagen points to sliders as a particular challenge. Ross was eligible for last year’s Rule 5 Draft but was not selected.
The Twins’ infield is already crowded. Brooks Lee occupies third base, Kaelen Culpepper—an emerging top‑100 prospect—has recently debuted at shortstop, and the second‑ and first‑base roles are shared by Kody Clemens, Royce Lewis and Luke Keaschall. Shortstop Marek Houston, a 2025 first‑round pick, is also in the mix. Adding Ross could move utility player Ryan Kreidler, who has a defensive focus but less offensive upside, toward the periphery. Ross is nearly four years younger than Kreidler and retains a full slate of minor‑league options, whereas Kreidler will be out of options heading into 2027.
Acton’s recall follows the Twins’ 19th‑round pick, Whitaker, who posted a 2.11 ERA across 38 ⅓ innings between High‑A and Double‑A in 2024. Acton, who has MLB experience with the Oakland Athletics and Tampa Bay Rays, was called up from Triple‑A St. Paul on Sunday. The Twins have already placed a locker for him in the clubhouse, indicating a long‑term bullpen role.
The roster move illustrates the Twins’ strategy of balancing defensive depth with offensive potential while managing option years. By adding Ross, the club secures a younger infielder who can contribute immediately and provides flexibility for the 2026 season. The recall of Acton fills a bullpen need and keeps a veteran arm available for late‑game situations.
To clear a 40‑man spot for Ross, the front office will likely designate a player for assignment or move someone to the 60‑day injured list. The organization has not yet announced which roster spot will be vacated.
With the roster expansion set for tomorrow, the Twins will finalize the addition of Ross and the recall of Acton. The moves position the club to address infield depth and bullpen stability as the 2026 season approaches.
The Twins’ next steps will involve confirming the 40‑man roster changes, monitoring Acton’s performance in the bullpen, and evaluating Ross’s readiness for a major‑league role. The organization’s decisions will shape the team’s competitive outlook for the remainder of the season.
Ross, 25, ranks 13th in the Twins’ system according to MLB.com, 22nd by Baseball America and 29th by FanGraphs. He split the 2025 season between Double‑A Wichita and Triple‑A St. Paul, amassing 490 plate appearances. His line was .274/.378/.506 with 20 homers, 20 stolen bases on 28 attempts, 30 doubles, three triples, a 13.9% walk rate and a 25.3% strikeout rate. A Notre Dame product and fifth‑round draft pick, Ross has shown the defensive flexibility to cover up to six positions.
Scouting reports emphasize Ross’s fielding strengths but note uncertainty about his ability to hit major‑league pitching, especially breaking balls. MLB.com highlights gains in exit velocity and overall contact, while FanGraphs’ Eric Longenhagen points to sliders as a particular challenge. Ross was eligible for last year’s Rule 5 Draft but was not selected.
The Twins’ infield is already crowded. Brooks Lee occupies third base, Kaelen Culpepper—an emerging top‑100 prospect—has recently debuted at shortstop, and the second‑ and first‑base roles are shared by Kody Clemens, Royce Lewis and Luke Keaschall. Shortstop Marek Houston, a 2025 first‑round pick, is also in the mix. Adding Ross could move utility player Ryan Kreidler, who has a defensive focus but less offensive upside, toward the periphery. Ross is nearly four years younger than Kreidler and retains a full slate of minor‑league options, whereas Kreidler will be out of options heading into 2027.
Acton’s recall follows the Twins’ 19th‑round pick, Whitaker, who posted a 2.11 ERA across 38 ⅓ innings between High‑A and Double‑A in 2024. Acton, who has MLB experience with the Oakland Athletics and Tampa Bay Rays, was called up from Triple‑A St. Paul on Sunday. The Twins have already placed a locker for him in the clubhouse, indicating a long‑term bullpen role.
The roster move illustrates the Twins’ strategy of balancing defensive depth with offensive potential while managing option years. By adding Ross, the club secures a younger infielder who can contribute immediately and provides flexibility for the 2026 season. The recall of Acton fills a bullpen need and keeps a veteran arm available for late‑game situations.
To clear a 40‑man spot for Ross, the front office will likely designate a player for assignment or move someone to the 60‑day injured list. The organization has not yet announced which roster spot will be vacated.
With the roster expansion set for tomorrow, the Twins will finalize the addition of Ross and the recall of Acton. The moves position the club to address infield depth and bullpen stability as the 2026 season approaches.
The Twins’ next steps will involve confirming the 40‑man roster changes, monitoring Acton’s performance in the bullpen, and evaluating Ross’s readiness for a major‑league role. The organization’s decisions will shape the team’s competitive outlook for the remainder of the season.
