Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
In elementary math, we always had to do these ‘input-output tables’. It was a basic way of figuring out a math problem, whatever you put in affects what comes out. The Minnesota Twins had their own little input-output exercise on Thursday.
On Thursday, the Minnesota Twins officially inked starting pitcher Phil Hughes to a contract, but had to make room for him on the 40-man roster. That means someone has to leave and 24-year-old Australian hurler Liam Hendriks drew the short straw and was designated for assignment.
Hendriks had seen success in the minor leagues for the Twins and was seen as part of the future of the big league rotation, but that never did come to fruition. Hendriks appeared in 30 games for the Twins and currently sits with a career 2-13 record with a 6.06 ERA.
The reason for the shock behind this is not that Liam Hendriks was sent packing, it was who wasn’t set packing. Some insight on why it was Hendriks:
Told Liam Hendriks was out of minor league options, a key factor in decision to designate. Vance Worley is also out of options. #MNTwins
— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) December 6, 2013
On another note, this is an interesting tidbit about Phil Hughes:
First time Terry Ryan ever spoke with Phil Hughes was today, the day he signed him for $24 million over 3 yrs. Not even a prior phone call.
— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) December 5, 2013
I hope Terry at least called Liam Hendriks.