The Twins announced that they’ve selected the contract of right-hander Ryne Harper. He’ll make their Opening Day bullpen, and his first appearance in a game will mark his MLB debut. Minnesota also placed third baseman Miguel Sano (heel laceration) and relievers Matt Magill (shoulder tendinitis), Addison Reed (thumb sprain) and Gabriel Moya (shoulder tendinitis) on the 10-day injured list and optioned infielder Ronald Torreyes to Triple-A Rochester.
Harper’s promotion comes as a 30th birthday present for the journeyman right-hander, who has spent parts of eight seasons in the minors since being selected by the Braves in the 37th round of the 2011 draft. Harper has technically been on a Major League roster before, as the Mariners selected his contract in 2017 but optioned him back to the minors before he ever appeared in a big league game.
Harper spent the 2018 season in the Twins’ system and posted a terrific 86-to-10 K/BB ratio in 65 innings of relief. Harper’s Spring Training was outstanding, as he fired 11 innings with 14 strikeouts no walks and no earned runs allowed.
Welcome to the Show! The Twins can make the postseason and you can help!
All best and all blessings to you!
Good to see a guy finally get a fighting chance.
I’m happy he’s finally going to make some real money. This guy basically didn’t get a signing bonus and has been playing on a minor non 40 man salary his whole career. It’s a wonder he kept at it. He was making about as much as a cashier at the grocery store..
Who cares
I was really happy to see this. Watching him this spring was entertaining. Striking out MLB hitters with sub 70mph pitches is always hoot and man, the movement and spin he put on pitches looked like something out of a video game.
Good for him
Harper? Lol. Any relation to my idol, Bryce Harper?
NOPE. Brian Harper??
Out of curiosity I checked his BaseballReference page; they don’t mention him being related to any other previous MLB player. However they also still have him listed only as a minor leaguer, and I’m not sure they note MLB family ties on minor league player pages.
NOT Torreyes! Nooooooo!!!!!
When Twins fans asked for Harper I really don’t think they meant this
Nice, congrats!
Good job, Ryne. Do everything you can now to keep the job. Best of luck to you.
Always love stories like this. Hope he gets to really live out his dream and get in a game.
I think he’ll find his way in a game. I hope he stays on the roster for at least half the year so he makes some cash. This guy has been making nothing for 8 years with no signing bonus to fall back on.
Tony Fiore 2.0?
Guaranteed his 3rd pitch sails out of the park and he is riding pine in AAA the next day.
Way to be an as.s. Thanks.
Promoted on his 30th birthday, no less.
congratulations! perseverence finally paid off.
Congratulations!!!! Nice to see this happen. Perseverance wins !!!!
Good WIN for the TWINS on Opening Day against the Cleveland Indians.
Just rinse and repeat that performance another 161 times!