Cole

Sands

Twins’ manager Rocco Baldelli turned to his closer, Jhoan Duran, to face the heart of the Red Sox’ lineup in the eighth inning, leaving Sands to clean it up in the ninth. He did his job admirably, getting Garrett Cooper on a ground ball to second base, David Hamilton on a swinging third strike and Reese McGuire on a line drive to first base to end it. The 26-year-old hurler shouldn’t get many save chances with Duran and Griffin Jax in the Twins’ bullpen, but he’ll get the occasional opportunity based on matchups.

The 26-year-old hurler was called upon to get the final out of the seventh inning, then went right back out for the eighth and the ninth as he continued to mow down opposing hitters. He retired all seven hitters that he faced in order — including three strikeouts — needing only 28 pitches (19 strikes) to get the job done. He isn’t going to suddenly become an option for saves in the Twins’ bullpen, but he will get the occasional multiple-inning opportunity.

Sands has oscillated between the Twins’ bullpen and Triple-A St. Paul for the majority of the season, posting a respectable 3.74 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 21/13 K/BB ratio across 21 2/3 innings (15 relief appearances) in the majors. The 26-year-old righty has been shipped out to make room for Louie Varland to return in a relief role.

Sands returns to the majors ahead of Saturday’s showdown against the Phillies. The 26-year-old righty swingman has made 10 relief appearances this season for the Twins, posting a 4.50 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 14/9 K/BB ratio across 14 innings of work.

The Twins were facing a roster crunch with Byron Buxton (paternity) and Jorge Polanco (hamstring) returning on Friday, and it was Sands who got squeezed off of the active roster. The 26-year-old has posted a 4.50 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and a 14/9 K/BB ratio over 14 innings with the big league club this season.

Sands, who missed a month due to a shoulder impingement, pitched three scoreless innings and struck out six in two appearances on a rehab assignment. He was very effective in middle relief in limited opportunities for the Twins before getting hurt, and he’ll return to that role now.

Sands had a superb 0.73 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, and 13/7 K/BB ratio across seven appearances for the Twins but will head to the injured list with a shoulder impingement. Caleb Thielbar was reinstated from the injured list in a corresponding transaction.

Sands gives the Twins a fresh arm in their bullpen ahead of Saturday’s game against the Cubs. The 25-year-old righty has allowed one run on six hits with a 3/0 K/BB ratio across four innings (two appearances) this season in the majors.

He’ll head down to the minors so Louie Varland can make a spot start Friday against the Yankees. Sands has allowed one run in four innings with the Twins this season and should get another chance soon.

Sands is showing some extra velocity this spring, especially on his now high-80s cutter. He’s no higher than seventh on the Twins’ SP depth chart, so his gains might not pay off in the short term. If he makes the team, it’ll likely be as a middle reliever.