COLE SANDS NEWS

Twins include Randy Dobnak in long relief role for his 1st opening day roster spot in 4 years

The Minnesota Twins set their opening day roster with right-hander Randy Dobnak in a long relief role, the first time in four years he broke camp with the major league club

7 HOURS AGO • ASSOCIATED PRESS

AL Central Preview: Four solid teams, and then the White Sox

The American League Central was a surprisingly strong division last season, with four teams finishing above

MARCH 17 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Gets on track this spring Sands threw a scoreless inning in Saturday's spring training win over Boston with three strikeouts and no walks. He's given up three runs in 2.2 innings this spring with four strik...

Impact Sands emerged as a solid contributor in a setup role last season. He saw a significant improvement in his velocity (to 95.5 mph average fastball from 93.6 mph in 2023) and improved control (1.5 BB/9). He'll be used as a key setup man again and could be a sneaky source of holds for fantasy purposes.

MARCH 9 • ROTOWIRE

Royce Lewis gives props to Twins teammates Byron Buxton and Willi Castro, playfully calls out Jose Miranda and Cole Sands Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis was asked about his teammates during his appearance on MLB Network Radio on Wednesday.

JANUARY 29 • SPORTSKEEDA.COM

Notches fourth save Sands earned a save against the Rangers on Saturday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning of work.

Impact 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.

AUGUST 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Cole Sands thriving for Twins bullpen in second season as full-time reliever Cole Sands’ effectiveness and mix of pitches make him suitable for nearly any situation for Twins manager Rocco Baldelli.

AUGUST 6, 2024 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Snags third save Sands picked up the save in Monday's 7-2 victory over the Phillies, pitching two clean innings with two strikeouts.

Impact The 27-year-old reliever entered the eighth 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 inning. Sands has been a solid right-handed bullpen option this year in Minnesota, 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 main saves and high-leverage option for the Twins.

JULY 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Snags third save Sands picked up the save in Monday's 7-2 victory over the Phillies, pitching two clean innings with two strikeouts.

Impact 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.

JULY 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

How Twins reliever Cole Sands helped unlock more velocity for Chris Paddack A conversation on the Twins team plane helped Chris Paddack hit 97 mph with his fastball against the Yankees Wednesday.

JUNE 7, 2024 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Twins mailbag: Blame games, stretching Cole Sands, slumping vets, more Austin Martin Plus front-office rankings, Emmanuel Rodriguez's hot start, help from the White Sox and why teams keep their books closed.

APRIL 26, 2024 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Sent down to minors Sands was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul on Monday, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports.

Impact Sands wasn't going to be available for a couple days after needing 50 pitches to get through a two-inning relief outing Sunday. The Twins are expected to recall Louie Varland to replace Sands in the bullpen.

SEPTEMBER 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Twins recall RHP Cole Sands The Minnesota Twins recalled right-handed pitcher Cole Sands from Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday

AUGUST 12, 2023 • DEADSPIN.COM

Recalled from Triple-A Sands was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul.

Impact Sands appeared in four games for the Saints after he was demoted on 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.

AUGUST 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Optioned to Triple-A Minnesota optioned Sands to Triple-A St. Paul on Friday.

Impact 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.

JULY 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Twins reinstate RHP Cole Sands from injured list The Minnesota Twins reinstated right-hander Cole Sands from the 15-day injured list on Wednesday.

JULY 5, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Makes return from IL The Twins reinstated Sands (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Impact Sands showed that the shoulder impingement that landed him on the IL was fully behind him during a pair of rehab appearances last week at Triple-A St. Paul, as he tossed three scoreless frames while striking out six and allowing just two baserunners between those outings. He'll likely settle back into a multi-inning or long-relief role out of the Minnesota bullpen now that he's back in action after a month-long absence.

JULY 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Begins rehab assignment Sands (shoulder) is beginning a rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday, Brandon Warne of Access Twins reports.

Impact Sands had posted a 0.73 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 12.1 innings of relief for the Twins before he landed on the injured list in early June due to a right shoulder impingement. He could be an option again for the Minnesota bullpen sometime next week.

JUNE 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

To begin throwing Sands (shoulder) is set to begin throwing off a mound this week, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Impact 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.

JUNE 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Placed on 15-day IL The Twins placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a right shoulder impingement.

Impact Sands had not worked in a game since May 30 after throwing 2.1 scoreless frames against the Astros. The right-hander will be out for two-plus weeks while he recovers, and the Twins reinstated Caleb Thielbar (oblique) off the 15-day IL in a corresponding move.

JUNE 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled by Twins Sands was recalled by the Twins on Saturday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Impact 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 St. Paul.

MAY 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Twins recall RHP Cole Sands The Minnesota Twins recalled right-handed pitcher Cole Sands from Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday

MAY 13, 2023 • DEADSPIN.COM

Optioned to Triple-A Sands was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul on Friday.

Impact Sands has appeared in two games with the Twins so far in 2023, surrendering one run on six hits, including a homer, while striking out three batters over four innings. It seems likely that the 25-year-old will get another shot with Minnesota at some point this season, but for now Louie Varland was called up from Triple-A and will replace him on the major-league roster.

APRIL 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Looks set to make bullpen Sands looks set to make the Opening Day roster for the Twins as a long reliever, MLB.com reports.

Impact Danny Coulombe and Bailey Ober were sent to Triple-A which makes it almost certain Sands will begin the season in the majors. Manager Rocco Baldelli said he wants to keep a long reliever in the bullpen, so Sands will fill that role. Despite a 5.55 ERA at Triple-A last season, Sands was called up to the majors several times last season thanks to a strong strikeout rate (10.5 K/9).

MARCH 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Four-inning save Sands picked up a four-inning save in Wednesday's 10-1 victory over the White Sox. He allowed one run on four hits and one walk while striking out one.

Impact Sands entered the game with Minnesota up 10-0 in the sixth inning, and he pitched well, holding the White Sox to just one unearned run over four innings. The strong effort earned Sands the four-inning save, which was the first of his young career. Through 30.2 innings in the big leagues this season, Sands was 0-3 with a 5.87 ERA and 28 strikeouts.

OCTOBER 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Rejoins team for finale The Twins recalled Sands from Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday.

Impact 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.

OCTOBER 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE