The Twins announced Friday that right-hander Chase De Jong has cleared outright waivers and been assigned to Triple-A Rochester. He’ll remain with the organization but is no longer on the 40-man roster. Additionally, Minnesota activated Matt Magill from the injured list.
De Jong, 25, pitched one inning for the Twins earlier this season and was tagged for four runs on three hits and three walks. He was considerably better in a small sample of innings down the stretch in 2018, pitching to a 3.57 ERA with a 13-to-6 K/BB ratio in 17 2/3 innings. The former second-round pick (Blue Jays, 2012) enjoyed a solid season between Double-A and Triple-A last year, where he logged a combined 3.66 ERA, 6.9 K/9 and 2.6 BB/9, but he has yet to find consistent success in the upper minors or at the big league level. He’ll remain with the club as a depth option, should a need arise or should he force his way back into the MLB picture later this season.
As for Magill, the 29-year-old was somewhat of a diamond-in-the-rough find for the Twins a year ago. The former Dodgers/Reds farmhand was signed to a minor league contract but wound up tallying 56 2/3 innings of relief in Minnesota. Magill’s 3.81 ERA, 8.9 K/9 and 94.7 mph average fastball were all encouraging, though the righty still issued too many walks (3.7 BB/9) and was far too homer-prone (1.75 HR/9) in his lone season with the Twins. He’ll look to maintain his ability to miss bats while paring back on the free passes and long balls in his second go-around with the Twins. In 5 1/3 innings on a Triple-A rehab assignment, Magill allowed a run on two hits and a walk with eight punchouts.
That said, the fact that Minnesota is relying on Magill, 30-year-old rookie Ryne Harper and converted rotation prospects Fernando Romero and Adalberto Mejia highlights the fact that the Twins have plenty of room for improvement in the ’pen as they battle the Indians in the American League Central.
who’s being moved off the 25 to make room for Magill?
They sent Kohl Stewart back down after his start on Wednesday
Minnesota turned Magill into a legitimate bullpen piece last year but the final paragraph in this making it seem like he’s a completely unproven no name.
Does 56 innings really prove that he’s some kind of bullpen lock? He had solid bottom-line results but 3.7 BB/9, 1.75 HR/9, a 5.08 FIP and a 4.66 xFIP. Beyond that, the final paragraph was less a knock on Magill and more pointing out that, for a team with eyes on winning the division, they didn’t really do anything to address the bullpen outside of a bargain dice roll on Blake Parker.
I’ll take Drew Jackson for $100, Alex.
So, they’ve opened a spot on the 40 man for someone…..
I can’t read this without hearing “Rocky Raccoon” in my head