Minnesota Twins Transactions (July 30th-31st)
By Wally Fish
July 31st featured the non-waiver trade deadline and will forever be known as the day Drew Butera left the Minnesota Twins system. The day before five players were involved in moves. Two players were placed on the 7-day disabled list and two players were moved based on rehab assignments. The most notable move however was the promotion of one of the team’s 2013 draft picks.
Twins hats are always a welcome sight. (Photo Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports)
July 30th
Assigned to Cedar Rapids (from Elizabethton): LHP Brandon Bixler (21) – has kicked off his professional career in style after the Twins selected him in the 16th round of this year’s draft. The former Gulf Coast University lefty allowed just six hits, four walks and one earned run in 12.1 innings in the Appalachian League. Bixler struck out 18 along the way with multiple punchouts in each of his Appy League relief appearances. His Kernels debut today (8/1) didn’t go quite so smoothly allowing three hits, two walks and one run in 1.2 innings.
Assigned to New Britain (from Rochester): RHP Daniel Sattler (29) – threw 10.0 innings during his rehab assignment in the GCL with a 5.40 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 8/2 SO-to-BB. His numbers were somewhat skewed as a result of allowing 3 hits and 5 runs (two of them earned) in his last two appearances (1.1 IP). Sattler has a 3.32 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 291 strikeouts in 292.2 career innings pitched. The Twins are his fourth organization having also spent time with the Rangers, Athletics and Angels. He’s also spent time in independent ball with the Kansas City T-Bones and St. Paul Saints.
Rehab assignment to the GCL Twins (from Rochester): RHP Lester Oliveros (25) – returned to the mound for the first time in over a year after an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery. He pitched a clean inning with a strikeout on Tuesday as he tries to work his way back to the major leagues.
Placed on the 7-day DL from Elizabethton: RHP Carson Goldsmith (23) – last appeared in a game on July 21st and that appearance (2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 SO) was his best of the season. He currently has a 5.79 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and 15-6 SO-to-BB in 9.1 innings on the year.
Placed on the 7-day DL from Cedar Rapids: LHP Brett Lee (22) – has quietly had one of the better seasons – as far as starting pitching is concerned – in the Twins minor league system this year. Twice he’s struck out 10 batters in a game and hadn’t allowed more than two earned runs in any of his last eight starts. The Twins’ 10th round selection in the 2011 draft currently has a 3.23 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 78-23 SO-to-BB in 16 starts spanning 100.1 innings.
July 31st