Minnesota Twins Transactions (August 9th-12th): Willingham Returns

August 9th was a busy day in the Minnesota Twins system as seven players were involved in moves. Things calmed down after that as just four transactions were made over the next three days. Of the 11 players to be shuffled around, two figure prominently in the team’s future rotation if things break right.

Willingham’s return was well received and bolstered the Twins offensive firepower. (Photo Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports)

August 9th

Activated from the 15-day disabled list by Minnesota: OF Josh Willingham (34) – has hit 0.206/364/.471 in ten games with the Twins since returning. Still not hitting for average he has contrinued 3 2B and 2 HR and also has drawn 7 walks.

Placed on the 7-day disabled list by Minnesota: C Ryan Doumit (32) – was back in the Twins lineup on the 16th.

Recalled to Minnesota (from Rochester): RHP Liam Hendriks (24) – pitched the second game of the double header against the White Sox on the 9th. In 6.1 IP he gave up 7 H, 2 ER, 1 BB and 3 SO. Both runs were the product of solo home runs. Hendriks was optioned back to Rochester the following day and turned in a quality start for the Red Wings (6.0 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO, 1 HR) on August 14th.

Assigned to Fort Myers (from Rochester): RHP Cole De Vries (28) – made one start in the FSL on the 11th (5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 SO) before he was moved up to Double-A on the 13th. He took the mound for the Rock Cats on 16th and despite pitching reasonably well (5.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO, 1 HR) took the loss.

Activated from the 7-day disabled list by the GCL Twins: RHP Kohl Stewart (18) – recovered from the “beach mishap” that resulted in a cut on his foot and threw a pair of hitless relief innings – with a walk and two strikeouts – the same day he was activated.

Sent on rehab assignment to the GCL Twins (from Rochester): LHP Pedro Hernandez (24) – has thrown 7.0 innings over two appearances since joining the GCL. In that time he’s allowed eight hits, two earned runs and no walks while striking out six.

Sent on rehab assignment to the GCL Twins (from New Britain): RHP Alex Meyer (23) – was coming off his best start of the season – back on June 1st – with the Rock Cats when he hit the DL with a shoulder injury. He gave up three hits and one walk in his first GCL start, which lasted 1.2 innings. Meyer showed his rust from the nearly two and a half month layoff but he also struck out five batters. He made his second start on the 13th and pitched 3.0 scoreless innings with two hits, two walks and two strikeouts.

August 10th

Activated by Fort Myers: LHP Chad Rodgers (25) – made his first appearance since July 30th on August 16th and gave up a solo home run in a single inning of work. He has a 3.97 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 34-19 SO-to-BB in 47.2 IP.

August 11th

Placed on the 7-day disabled list by New Britain: RHP Kyle Davies (29) – picked up a win in three straight games prior to landing on the shelf with a “slight” shoulder strain. He went 6.1 IP with 4 H, 0 ER, 0 BB and 2 SO in his last start for the Rock Cats on August 8th.

Traded to Kansas City (from Minnesota): INF Jamey Carroll (39) – has gone 0-10 in 13 plate appearances since joining the Royals giving him a -74 OPS+. Despite the new location, the struggles have continued and his slash line has dropped to 0.219/.272/.249 on the year. The Carroll trade was covered in a dedicated article the day that it happened.

August 12th

Activated from the 15-day disabled list by Minnesota: RF Wilkin Ramirez (27) – played in 14 minor leagues games while working his way back to the Twins roster. The 54 plate appearances he amassed along the way did little to hype up his return and resulted in a woeful 0.184/.259/.286 slash line. He’s 4-11 with two walks since returning to the majors and has played in four of Minnesota’s last five games.