Cole SandsMIN · RP

2026 review

Cole Sands worked out of the bullpen for MIN but got hit hard when he took the mound: he posted an 8.25 ERA and 1.67 WHIP in 12.0 IP, with a 19.6 K% and an 8.9 BB% over 56 BF across 13 games, picking up 1 win, 1 loss, 1 save and 3 holds. A right forearm strain put him on the 15-day IL on May 2, retroactive to Apr 29, and after rehab assignments on Jun 2, Jul 7, Jul 14 and Jul 17 he was activated Jul 26 — only to land back on the 15-day IL Jul 28, retroactive to Jul 27, with a right elbow strain before being transferred to the 60-day IL on Jul 31, 150 regular-season days missed across the 2 stints. Drafted at NFBC ADP rank 1085, he finished 843rd of 1472 in the TDK LABS 5x5 value rank, 242 spots above, and 409th of 575 relief pitchers. By early May the TDK LABS card had him down with the forearm strain, noting the MRI read as more encouraging than expected but with no set return date. By late Aug the card had him out on the extended IL dealing with the elbow issue.