The Minnesota Twins have designated PJ Walters for assignment, making room for Mike Pelfrey to return to the Twins rotation and start Saturday against Toronto.
Walters is out of minor league options, so designating him means he must clear waivers in order to return to the Twins minor league system and report to Class AAA Rochester.
Any team is eligible to claim Walters, and if he should clear waivers he has the right to refuse the minor league assignment and become a free agent.
He sounds convinced the minors aren’t for him.
“I’ve pitched enough and learned enough that I can help somebody,” said Walters of his time with Minnesota.
Meanwhile, Pelfrey made one minor league rehab start after being placed on the 15 day disabled list with a strained back. He gave up two earned runs in six innings for Class A Cedar Rapids.
Pelfrey needs to be better for a team that ranks dead last in starters ERA in the majors, he’s 3-6 with a 6.11 ERA on the year.
The Twins bullpen didn’t help the starters much this past home stand. Setup man Jared Burton took two consecutive losses for Minnesota Sunday and Monday, and it looks as if there may be some changes in the setup role with Casey Fien sliding in to the eighth inning spot.
We’d probably be more clear on the setup role had the Twins had a lead late in a game recently. Ouch.
