Sands (2-0) earned the win in Saturday's 5-3 win over Texas. He allowed no hits or walks while striking out two over two perfect innings.

EDGE Analysis

It was a nice bounceback outing from Sands after he allowed five earned runs on five hits and two walks over 2.1 innings over his prior three appearances. He was used in some high-leverage spots while Jhoan Duran was out for a month with a back injury, but may be used earlier in games with Duran healthy.

Sands struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Saturday to record his second save of the season in a 3-1 win over the Red Sox.

EDGE Analysis

Jhoan Duran surprisingly worked the eighth and got the hold against the heart of Boston's order, leaving Sands to face the 7-8-9 hitters. With Brock Stewart (shoulder) on the shelf, Sands could be moving up in the bullpen pecking order for the Twins, but Griffin Jax and Caleb Thielbar had also both pitched Friday and were likely only available in an emergency. Sands has pitched well enough to earn a high-leverage role though, posting a 2.93 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 22:2 K:BB through 15.1 innings.

Sands earned the save in game two of Saturday's doubleheader against the Tigers, pitching 2.1 perfect innings while striking out three.

EDGE Analysis

Sands relieved Kody Funderburk with two outs in the bottom of the seventh and was able to retire the final batter on just one pitch to close out the frame. The right-hander returned in the eighth and ninth innings and retired the final six batters in succession, earning his first save of the 2024 campaign. Sands has allowed just one run over 7.2 innings of relief to begin the season, posting a 12:1 K:BB over that early stretch. He's also recorded multiple strikeouts in each of his four appearances.

Sands gave up a run over two innings with two strikeouts, no walks and a home run allowed in Sunday's blowout loss at Kanas City.

EDGE Analysis

Sands made the major-league roster as a long reliever. He shuffled between Triple-A and the majors multiple times last season, working in a long-relief role with the Twins. He posted a respectable 3.74 ERA, but it was accompanied by an 8.7 K/9 and 5.5 BB/9. At least he didn't allow any walks in his first outing.

Sands could make Minnesota's major league roster to begin the season in a long relief role, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sands shuffled between Triple-A and the majors multiple times last season as the Twins in a long relief role. He posted a respectable 3.74 ERA but with just a 8.7 K/9 and 5.5 BB/9. If he begins the season in the majors, he may be shuffled again between Triple-A and Minnesota.

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

EDGE Analysis

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.

Sands was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

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

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

EDGE Analysis

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.

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

EDGE Analysis

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.

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

EDGE Analysis

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.