The Minnesota Twins activated Chris Archer from the 10-day injured list on Sunday, but in a corresponding move, they have optioned Devin Smeltzer to Triple-A St. Paul.
Smeltzer got off to a strong start after joining the Twins on May 14, going 3-0 with a 2.38 ERA in his first six starts, but the left-hander has run into a wall since then with a 1-2 record and a 5.97 ERA in six starts since June 17.
The Athletic’s Aaron Gleeman also states that due to off days, the Twins won’t need a fifth starter until August, leaving Smeltzer as the odd man out.
#MNTwins activated Chris Archer from the injured list and optioned Devin Smeltzer to Triple-A St. Paul.
Why send down Smeltzer?
Twins won't need a fifth starter until August due to multiple off days and Smeltzer has a 5.59 ERA with 13 homers allowed in 39 innings since June 1.
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) July 17, 2022
With Smeltzer in St. Paul, the Twins will turn to Archer to start Sunday’s series finale against the Chicago White Sox. The right-hander has gone 2-3 with a 3.08 ERA in 15 starts this season but went on the injured list with right hip tightness after throwing a season-high 90 pitches in a loss to the Cleveland Guardians on June 30.
With the Twins’ lead in the AL Central down to 2.5 games, they’ll hope Archer can provide a boost heading into the All-Star break.
