The Minnesota Twins trimmed their minor-league rosters on October 13, releasing five players as the organization begins end-of-season housekeeping.
The moves, logged on the official MiLB transactions page, affect pitchers Matthew DesMarets, Nick McAuliffe, Jake Covey, and Halton Hardy, along with outfielder Caleb Roberts.
DesMarets, a 23-year-old right-hander from Glendora, California, and the University of La Verne, spent most of 2026 shuttling between the Florida Complex League Twins and Single-A Fort Myers.
He appeared in 19 games (all in relief), posting a 2-3 record with a 5.65 ERA over 28⅔ innings and 28 strikeouts. Signed as a free agent in July 2025 after a strong Division III career, DesMarets never established consistent command at the professional level, finishing with a 1.99 WHIP.
McAuliffe, 26, arrived from the independent Frontier League’s Evansville Otters in late April. The East Stroudsburg product had a solid first affiliated season, working primarily at Fort Myers.
Across 28 appearances, he went 5-2 with a 3.57 ERA, 61 strikeouts in 40⅓ innings, and three saves. Despite the respectable numbers, the Twins elected not to retain the New Jersey native.
Covey, a 25-year-old right-hander out of Concordia University Irvine, signed in early June after a brief stint with the Pioneer League’s Glacier Range Riders.
He split time between the FCL and Fort Myers, compiling an impressive 6-4 record and 2.44 ERA in 44⅓ innings with 55 strikeouts. The California native’s strong strikeout rate and limited walks made his release one of the more notable among the group.
Hardy, 24, was acquired from the Atlantic League’s Gastonia Ghost Peppers on June 5. The Kennesaw State product (via Francis Marion) made seven appearances, including four starts, for the FCL Twins.
He posted a 1-1 record, 4.30 ERA, and 1.09 WHIP over 29⅓ innings while striking out 34. Like the others, he was among the midseason independent-league additions who did not stick past the season’s end.
Roberts, a 26-year-old outfielder and former fifth-round pick of the Arizona Diamondbacks out of North Carolina, signed with the Twins in May after a strong start with the Atlantic League’s Long Island Ducks.
Assigned to Double-A Wichita, he battled injuries that limited him to roughly 90–100 plate appearances.
He hit around .196–.217 with three home runs and a high on-base percentage driven by walks. A career .244 hitter with 60 home runs in the minors, Roberts never gained traction in the Twins system.
These releases are typical of October roster management. Organizations routinely clear space for upcoming free-agent signings, Rule 5 draft considerations, and returning players from the 40-man roster.
None of the five had been viewed as core prospects, and several were short-term additions from independent leagues. They are now free to pursue opportunities elsewhere as the offseason begins.
