Twins Cut Gibson, Five Others

March 7, 2013; Clearwater, FL, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Kyle Gibson (32) in the dugout during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Bright House Networks Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Twins sent Kyle Gibson and Caleb Thielbar to AAA this morning, and reassigned James Beresford, Kyle Knudson, Danny Lehmann and Anthony Slama to minor league camp.

The Twins announced going into camp that Gibson would be on an innings count this season following Tommy John surgery, and the decision to have him start the year in Rochester may have had as much to do with that as it did his performance this spring. Gibson pitched well at times, but struggled with control, including three wild pitches in an inning last week.

Slama, who has pitched extremely well in the minors, struggled mightily in limited action this spring. Other than Gibson, he had the best shot of making the Twins this spring out of camp.

Thielbar, a left reliever, has experienced a resurgence the past two years after struggling in the Brewers minor league system and playing part of a season with the St. Paul Saints. He played across three levels last year, finishing 2012 at Rochester.

Lehmann and Knudson were brought in to work with the excess of pitchers in Twins camp, and were never serious contenders to make the team. Beresford hit poorly in camp, but flashed defensive aptitude at three infield positions.

You can read up on the Twins first two rounds of cuts here and here.

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