Ryne Harper received an early birthday present from Twins manager Rocco Baldelli, who informed the soon-to-be 30-year-old pitcher that he's coming north with the big club to start the 2019 season.
The Twins also kept Willians Astudillo on the roster, which is nearly set for Thursday's season opener against the Cleveland Indians at Target Field.
It's the first time Harper has made an Opening Day roster, and second time he's appeared in the majors.
The righthanded reliever was called up by the Mariners in 2017 but never got into a game.
Harper's birthday is March 27.
He was a 37th-round draft pick by Atlanta in 2011 and has kicked around in the minor leagues ever since, never receiving an invite to major league spring training camp until the Twins made the offer.
During the 2019 Grapefruit League season, Harper threw 11 innings and didn't allow a run.
Harper signed with the Twins last year and split time with Chattanooga and Rochester.
The Twins officially have 26 players on their roster, one over the limit, with infielder Ronald Torreyes still in camp while the club determines the status of Jorge Polanco.
The Twins' expected starting shortstop hasn't played in Spring Training since last week because of what team officials say is arm fatigue.
After the Twins wrap up their Grapefruit League schedule on Tuesday against the Rockies, they'll head back to Minnesota for Wednesday's workout at Target Field.
Opening Day is Thursday with the Cleveland Indians coming to downtown Minneapolis, the Twins sending Jose Berrios to the mound against former Cy Young Award winner Cory Kluber.