2026 Transactions: Twins Sign Smith, Jimenez & Sandridge Traded

As expected, several players who were recently designated for assignment before the start of the 2026 MLB season found new homes via trade. Johnathan Rodriguez is an Oriole, while ex-Blue Jay Leo Jimenez was acquired by the Marlins. Plus, the Twins signed former Met pitcher Drew Smith.

Twins sign reliever

The Twins signed reliever Drew Smith to a Minor League deal. Smith hasn’t pitched in the Majors since 2024, thanks to injuries. He joined the Nationals in the winter but did not make the team out of camp.

Smith had a good camp on paper with the Nationals. The former Met reliever had a swing-and-miss rate of 34.9% in the Grapefruit League and only gave up two hits and two walks over five innings.

The 32-year-old’s velocity sat mainly 92-93 MPH, and as high as 94 MPH in camp.

Trades

The Angels made several moves on the 29th. One of those moves was the Angels moving Jayvien Sandridge to the Orioles for cash.

Sandridge, as noted in the winter, was acquired from the Yankees over the winter in a cash trade. The left-hander throws hard and missed a lot of bats last season in Triple-A.

Additionally, the Orioles acquired outfielder Johnathan Rodriguez from the Guardians. Two years ago, Rodriguez hit 29 home runs in Triple-A, as well as accumulated a lot of walks. However, he’s had limited success at the MLB level, with a slash line of .176/.282/.304 with 36 strikeouts over 117 plate appearances.

Cleveland acquired Minor League reliever Carter Rustad. Rustad, a 15th-round pick from 2024, made it through three levels last season and struck out 56 batters over 53 cumulative innings. Good whiff rate (29.9% Whiff%) in High-A. Low-to-mid-90s fastball, coupled with a low-to-mid-80s changeup and slower breaking ball.

The Blue Jays traded infielder Leo Jimenez to the Marlins for Minor League infielder Dub Gleed and future considerations. Jimenez didn’t make it out of the Blue Jays’ camp with a roster spot, prompting him to be DFA’d in late March.

Garrett Acton was DFA’d as a corresponding move.

Gleed, a ninth-round pick in 2024 out of UC Irvine, bounced around four levels as a Minor League utility infielder. He played every single infield position aside from catcher. High total BB% (15.5%) but not much pop.

Other news

Shaun Anderson‘s contract was selected by the Los Angeles Angels. Walbert Urena and Victor Mederos were designated for assignment.

Outfielder Drew Waters was outrighted to Triple-A Omaha by the Royals.