The Minnesota Twins much improved bullpen will be getting a shot in the arm. The Twins announced that they have activated Casey Fien from the disabled list. Fellow reliever, Michael Tonkin has been optioned to Triple-A.
Fien was placed on the disabled list with a right shoulder strain on April 30th. Fien made nine appearances before landing on the DL. He was 1-2 with a 4.35 earned run average.
Fien worked three scoreless innings for Triple-A Rochester. He didn’t give up a hit and recorded three strikeouts in his three rehab appearances.
Michael Tonkin pitched seven innings during Fien’s stint on the DL. He gave up two home runs and had 5.14 earned run average.
Fien has been one of the Twins better relief pitchers the past three years not named Glen Perkins. Over the pat three years he has a 3.54 earned run average with 12 wins and 49 holds.
During Fien’s absence, Blaine Boyer became the primary setup man. Over his last 20.2 innings, Boyer has held opponents to a .188 batting average and owns a 0.44 earned run average. That included a stretch of 18 straight scoreless innings.
With Fien and Boyer the Twins have two capable setup men. Throw in lefty, Aaron Thompson and the Twins have three arms to help them get the ball to closer, Glen Perkins. Before the season the Twins bullpen was a major question mark. We are approaching June and it appears the Twins bullpen could be a strength moving forward.
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