Twins Add Veteran Pitcher German Marquez Amid Wild-Card Hunt

The Minnesota Twins signed former All-Star right-hander German Marquez to a one-year minor-league contract, assigning him to Triple-A St. Paul. The deal was reported by Dan Hayes of *The Athletic* and confirmed by Bob Nightengale of the *Minnesota Star Tribune*. Marquez, 31, becomes another veteran arm added to a rotation that has been depleted by injuries.

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Marquez spent the first ten seasons of his career with the Colorado Rockies, where he posted a 3-16 record, a 6.70 ERA and 83 strikeouts over 26 starts in the most recent season. After signing a one-year, $1.75 million contract with the San Diego Padres last winter, he appeared in 13 games (10 starts) for San Diego, recording a 4-2 record, a 5.26 ERA, a 1.49 WHIP and 37 strikeouts. He earned his first major-league save on July 31 in a Padres win over the San Francisco Giants. The Padres designated him for assignment to make room for newly acquired starter Robbie Ray and released him later this month.

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Minnesota’s rotation has been hit hard: starters Pablo Lopez (elbow), Mick Abel (elbow) and David Festa (shoulder) are out for the remainder of the 2026 season after season-ending surgeries, while relievers Mike Paredes (oblique) and Joe Ryan (glute) remain on the injured list. The team sits at 60-62, a half-game behind the Detroit Tigers for the final American League Wild-Card spot.

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By adding Marquez, the Twins hope to bolster depth and potentially call him up from Triple-A if the rotation’s health improves. The move coincides with the activation of center fielder Byron Buxton from the 10-day injured list. Buxton, a three-time All-Star, returned after a hip-impingement flare that re-aggravated on July 28 in a win over the Kansas City Royals. Through 82 games, he is batting .263/.320/.544 with 25 home runs, 45 RBIs and seven stolen bases, providing a boost to both the lineup and the team’s postseason aspirations.

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