The Twins announced that they have claimed right-hander Brooks Kriske off waivers from the Cubs. They also announced their claim of Thomas Hatch from the Royals and their reinstatement of Luke Keaschall from the 60-day injured list, moves which were previously reported. To open spots for those three, they optioned outfielder DaShawn Keirsey Jr. and righty Noah Davis to Triple-A St. Paul while righty Darren McCaughan has been designated for assignment.
Kriske, 31, has 27 2/3 innings of major league experience with an 8.78 earned run average. That ERA was even higher not too long ago, as Kriske has lowered it by throwing six scoreless innings for the Cubs this year. While putting up zeroes is nice, he worked around five walks while striking out four in that time.
It’s a small sample of work but Kriske has been really good in Triple-A this year. In 31 2/3 innings for Iowa, he has a 3.13 ERA, 39.4% strikeout rate and 7.6% walk rate. Those strikeouts aren’t really new for him but he’s usually paired them with more walks. From 2021 to 2024, he struck out 35.5% of minor league opponents but also gave out free passes at a 13.3% clip. He also spent some time pitching in Japan with a 26.9% strikeout rate and 15.2% walk rate.
The Twins are looking for warm bodies for their bullpen. Ahead of the deadline, they traded Jhoan Durán, Griffin Jax, Louis Varland, Brock Stewart and Danny Coulombe. They have since called up various minor leaguers to fill the void and have also now grabbed Kriske and Hatch. They are both out of options, which led to them ending up on waivers, so the Twins may bump them back off the roster later in the year. But for now, they provide the club with some fresh arms and add some extra depth.
McCaughan, 29, was also one of those fresh arms. The Twins selected him to the big league roster just yesterday. He didn’t pitch in yesterday’s game but the club apparently liked Kriske and/or Hatch better. Since McCaughan is also out of options, he has been bumped off the 40-man spot that he just got a bit more than 24 hours ago.
He now heads into DFA limbo. Since the trade deadline has passed, the Twins will have to put him on waivers. He has 61 1/3 major league innings on his track record with a 6.02 ERA, 16.2% strikeout rate, 8.1% walk rate and 37.7% ground ball rate. He has thrown 72 1/3 Triple-A innings this year with a 5.35 ERA, 20.1% strikeout rate, 7.6% walk rate and 34.1% ground ball rate.
Photo courtesy of Lily Smith, Imagn Images
The amount of waiver claims the Twins are putting in on burnout relievers followed by DFAs of equal ones is honestly pitiful.
You guys are in what I call the tryouts phase now. Could be worse, look at the White Sox, we still have Jerry Reinsdorf hovering around.
I understand. That’s rough. Still bummed Ishbia pivoted to you guys instead of Minnesota, but I hope Jerry hands the Reins(Dorf) over to him sooner than later, just for the sake of White Sox fans.
Hey nothing but good vibes to Twins fans as well. Hopefully the Pohlads find a buyer and is willing to spend money on a great team!
How is Noah Davis still on the 40 man roster lol?
I’m wondering the same dang thing.
This is a real whose who of retreads. 90s Terry Ryan nods approvingly.
Is Trevor Rosenthal’s right arm still attached?
Kriske was throwin up zeros for the Cubbies but ran into a roster crunch when the Cubs went on the trade deadline relief pitcher grab. He could eventually close if he keeps his bb’s down.
I hereby nominate this last sentence as the most propostorous statement I’ve heard in some time. Are you two related or something?
Alcala’s next!
Get greinke in here
Darragh McDonald writing about Darren McCaughan really has my head spinning over here.
Hatch and Kriske combine for 5 1/3 shutout innings to beat the Tigers. Genius.