The Minnesota Twins are looking to add some veteran depth to their pitching rotation. Ahead of Minnesota’s three-game series at The Field of Dreams against the Philadelphia Phillies, the franchise made a roster move.
German Marquez, 31, was recently released by the San Diego Padres after the team moved on from him following roster additions at the trade deadline.
The Twins picked up the former All-Star starting pitcher on a minor league deal, The Athletic’s Dan Hayes reports.
Marquez will report to Triple-A St. Paul, said Bob Nightengale of the Minnesota Star Tribune.
German Marquez’s Struggling Padres Tenure
GettyRHP German Marquez will join the Minnesota Twins Triple-A affiliate in St. Paul after signing a minor league deal with the team on Thursday. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
German Marquez agreed to terms on a one-year, $1.75 million contract with the San Diego Padres last winter. The right-handed pitcher spent the first 10 seasons of his career with the Colorado Rockies.
The 31-year-old went through inconsistent outings in the short time he was in San Diego. Through 13 games (10 starts), Marquez had a 4-2 record, 5.26 ERA, and 1.49 WHIP.
San Diego tried to find a new role for him, bringing him in as a relief guy for the final two appearances of his time with the Padres. Marquez earned his first big league save of his career in a Padres win over the San Francisco Giants on July 31.
The Padres elected to designate Marquez for assignment. It was to make room for a newly acquired starting pitcher Robbie Ray after the trade deadline. He was then released from the team on Aug. 12.
Minnesota has faced injuries throughout the pitching rotation. Starting pitchers Pablo Lopez (elbow), Mick Abel (elbow), and David Festa (shoulder) are out for the rest of 2026 after season-ending surgeries. Meanwhile, Mike Paredes (oblique) and Joe Ryan (glute) are both on the injured list while dealing with setbacks of their own.
The Twins are very much in the Wild Card hunt in the American League. With a 60-62 record, Minnesota is a half-game behind the Detroit Tigers for the final spot.
Twins Activate Byron Buxton From IL
GettyMinnesota Twins CF Byron Buxton was activated from the 10-day injured list on Thursday ahead of the team’s Field of Dreams matchup against the Philadelphia Phillies. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
The Minnesota Twins activated center fielder Byron Buxton from the 10-day injured list on Thursday, MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reported.
The 32-year-old will return to center field and bat second in the lineup for Minnesota on Thursday.
No, it’s (our lineup from) Iowa!
Buxton has landed on the injured list multiple times this seaosn because of a lingering right hip impingement. The most recent re-aggravation of the injury occurred in the Twins’ win over the Kansas City Royals on July 28.
The Twins’ center fielder earned his third All-Star nod of his career this season. Through 82 games in 2026, he has a .263/.320/.544 hitting line with 25 home runs, 45 RBI, and seven stolen bases.
Minnesota’s franchise star will look to put the hip issues behind him while aiding the Twins to a hopeful postseason berth.
Former All-Star Signs With Twins on Minor League Deal: Report