We’ll use this post to track the day’s minor moves:
- Right-hander Nick Tepesch, who was recently released by the Twins, is back with Minnesota on a new minor league deal, per a club announcement. The 28-year-old made one start for the Twins earlier this season and lasted just 1 2/3 innings — his second brief stint in the Majors since a lengthier run with the 2013-14 Rangers. Tepesch struggled to a 5.59 ERA in Triple-A Rochester this season but has a career 3.54 ERA in parts of four seasons at that level. He’s been placed on the minor league DL, per the Twins, but he’ll again function as rotation and bullpen depth when healthy.
- The Yankees announced that they’ve outrighted southpaw Tommy Layne to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Layne, 32, thrived in the Bronx following a midseason pickup in 2016, but he’s had a rough go of it in 2017. Thus far, he’s totaled 13 innings and been tagged for 11 runs on 16 hits and eight walks with nine strikeouts. Layne has been hit hard by lefties and righties alike, but he’s held same-handed opponents to a .187/.286/.230 line through 346 big league plate appearances.
- Catcher Francisco Pena has cleared waivers and been sent outright to Triple-A Norfolk following his most recent DFA, per a club announcement from the Orioles. The 27-year-old has already been designated for assignment and outrighted once earlier this season, which afforded him the option to reject this assignment in favor of free agency. However, it appears that Pena will remain with the organization in hopes of securing another look in the Majors. A well-regarded defender, Pena has collected five hits (two homers) in 10 at-bats in the Majors this season. His 60 big league plate appearances haven’t been especially productive, though, and he’s had difficulty getting on base despite showing decent pop in his Triple-A career.
Earlier Moves
- The Angels have announced that outfielder Shane Robinson was outrighted to Triple-A after clearing waivers. The eight-year MLB veteran would be entitled to reject the assignment, but it seems he has foregone that option since he’s listed on the Salt Lake roster. Robinson, 32, had a five-game stint in the majors for the Halos after appearing in 65 contests for the organization last year. Over his 772 career plate appearances, Robinson owns only a .227/.295/.300 batting line. But he was slashing a productive .289/.372/.358 in his 183 trips to the plate at Triple-A before his promotion.
