Former Guardians reliever’s whirlwind 2026 continues after Twins DFA 

It’s clear that MLB teams think that Zak Kent is worthy of being a big league pitcher. 

Unfortunately for him, it looks like they think that he’s a marginal one. 

On Tuesday the Minnesota Twins designated Kent for assignment, marking the fifth time he’s been DFA’d since his time with the Guardians ended last December. 

Former Guardian Zak Kent has become a waiver wire mainstay

Kent was up-and-down between Triple-A and MLB for the Guardians last season, though he posted a serviceable 4.58 ERA in the 17 2/3 innings that he pitched in. While he didn’t see a ton of action in high-leverage situations, he did his job whenever he was called upon (mostly in mop-up duty). 

The Guardians eventually decided he wasn’t worth taking up a roster spot during the offseason and designated him for assignment in December, where he quickly latched on with the Cardinals. 

His tenure with St. Louis lasted a little more than a month before they cut him loose to make room for former Guardian Justin Bruihl. That was followed by a whirlwind month where he was DFA’d by the Cardinals and claimed by the Rangers before being DFA’d by them and claimed by the Cardinals again. 

His second stint with St. Louis lasted a little more than a week before, you guessed it, they designated him for assignment. The Twins claimed him after that, and he ended up earning a spot on their Opening Day roster after he posted a 3.52 ERA in spring training. 

He made two big league appearances with the Twins before being sent down to Triple-A, where he had a 3.38 ERA in 10 2/3 innings with six walks. 

But now he’s headed back to the baseball wilderness after the Twins added Luis García to their roster. 

While he’ll likely be claimed by some team (he’s yet to go unclaimed any of the times he’s hit the waiver wire), chances are he’ll be the lowest man on the totem pole wherever he goes thanks in large part to his command issues. 

Not only has Kent issued 133 walks across 333 innings in his minor league career, but he allowed five walks in the 3 2/3 innings he pitched with the Twins’ big league club this season. 

He walked eight in his 17 2/3 innings with the Guardians last season. 

Still, it’s a bit surprising the Twins decided to cut bait with Kent given they’ve cooled off after their hot start and are in a rebuilding year. García’s 39 and in his 14th year of big league action, so the book’s clearly out on him, whereas Kent still has some potential. 

At the very least, he’s a serviceable depth arm who could give them some length in their bullpen. But it seems like the Twins didn’t think those traits were worth him taking up a roster spot. 

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