Twins Release Jason Kubel

TODAY: Kubel has officially been released by the Twins, reports MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger (via Twitter).

YESTERDAY, 12:59pm: The Twins haven’t yet released Kubel and have until the end of the official business day Tuesday to decide on him, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press tweets.

7:17am: The Twins have released outfielder/DH Jason Kubel, according to the MLB.com transactions page.  Kubel was designated for assignment last week and his release seemed inevitable after (as MLBTR’s Zach Links reported) Kubel refused his outright assignment to Triple-A.  The 32-year-old Kubel is represented by Joel Wolfe of the Wasserman Media Group.

It wasn’t a great return to Minnesota for Kubel, who only hit .224/.313/.295 with one homer in 176 PA this season.  After spending 2012-13 with the Diamondbacks and Indians, Kubel rejoined his original club on a minor league contract that ended up guaranteeing him $2MM when he made the roster out of Spring Training, plus he earned another $300K worth of incentives.