Cubs, Braves, Yankees Eye Former Twins Reliever Matt Bowman After Release

On Wednesday the Minnesota Twins granted relief pitcher Matt Bowman his release, citing a 40-man roster constraint. The veteran currently becomes a free agent immediately.

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Bowman exercised an opt-out clause, prompting the Twins to release rather than promote him. In Triple-A St. Paul he logged a 1.69 ERA, 25 strikeouts, six walks over 21.1 innings, and a 54.5 % ground-ball rate. His 2025 MLB stint with the Baltimore Orioles produced a 6.20 ERA in 24.2 innings. Over seven MLB seasons he is 8-14 with a 4.38 ERA in 240.2 innings.

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The Chicago Cubs, led by GM Jed Hoyer, view Bowman as a potential bullpen addition. The Atlanta Braves, after designating Aaron Bummer, have been urged to add him. The New York Yankees, contending in the AL East, see him as depth amid rotation injuries.

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All three clubs face strained relievers: the Cubs have lost Phil Maton and lack a reliable high-leverage arm; the Braves recently cut Aaron Bummer; the Yankees juggle workloads for Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón. Bowman’s ground-ball skill could fill low-leverage roles in the bullpen.

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Analysts point to Bowman’s 6.20 MLB ERA and limited velocity as signs he may struggle against major-league hitters. Some argue that adding a pitcher with inconsistent top-level results could hinder rather than help already fragile bullpens.

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One source lists Bowman’s Triple-A workload as 21.1 innings; another cites 14 outings without innings detail. The Twins’ release rationale is consistently linked to 40-man roster pressure, yet no official statement explains the decision.

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• “Matt Bowman was given his release by Twins, likely due to 40-man issues.” — Jon Heyman

Sudden Twins release may give Cubs perfect chance to boost struggling pitching staff

• “Matt Bowman was given his release by Twins, likely due to 40-man issues. Bowman posted a 1.69 ERA with 25 strikeouts and 6 walks in 21.1 innings while inducing groundballs at a 54.5% rate with AAA St. Paul. MLB deal elsewhere probably awaits.” — Jon Heyman

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• “MLB deal elsewhere probably awaits.” — Jon Heyman

Sudden Twins release may give Cubs perfect chance to boost struggling pitching staff

• “Aaron Gleeman wrote: “Twins released Triple-A relievers Matt Bowman and John Brebbia.” — Aaron Gleeman

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• “Twins released Triple-A relievers Matt Bowman and John Brebbia. Both pitchers had exercised opt-outs in their contracts, forcing the Twins to either call them up or release them.” — Aaron Gleeman

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The free-agent market opens now; the Cubs, Braves and Yankees are expected to pursue the veteran reliever. Bowman’s next contract will likely be a minor-league deal with a spring-training invitation.

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