Aybar played in the Mexican League in 2018, hitting .291/.354/.401 with three homers and six steals across 43 games. The soon-to-be 35-year-old last played in the majors with the Padres in 2017, hitting .234/.300/.348 with seven homers and 11 stolen bases in 108 games.

Friday was Aybar's opt-out date in his contract, and he appears to have exercised that option after being told Thursday that he wouldn't make the team's roster. Even with Jorge Polanco suspended for 80 games, the Twins prefer Eduardo Escobar as a fill-in shortstop, with Ehire Adrianza as the backup infielder. Aybar has some fantasy value in deeper leagues as he can chip in with the occasional steal, swiping 11 bags in 108 games last year, but at 34 and with a declining glove and a bat which recorded wRC+ figures of 78, 65, and 74 in the past three seasons, he's unlikely to generate much interest on the free-agent market.

Aybar, who was looking to lock down a reserve infield role in camp, will now have until Friday to decide if he wants to report to Triple-A Rochester or opt out of his contract and look elsewhere for a major-league opportunity. The 34-year-old is still a serviceable defender up the middle, but he hit just .234/.300/.348 across 270 plate appearances with the Padres in 2017.

Aybar spent the 2017 season with San Diego and posted a .234/.300/.348 slash line with seven home runs and 11 stolen bases in 370 plate appearances. The 34-year-old should serve as infield depth for the Twins, with third baseman Miguel Sano recovering from shin surgery and still in the midst of the league's investigation of the assault allegations made against him in December.