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Minnesota Twins’ Cuts: Roster Now Stands at 25

By Scott Wessels

Mar 8, 2016; Dunedin, FL, USA; Minnesota Twins catcher John Ryan Murphy (12) talks with Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Tyler Duffey (56) after giving up a walk in the first inning of the spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2016; Dunedin, FL, USA; Minnesota Twins catcher John Ryan Murphy (12) talks with Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Tyler Duffey (56) after giving up a walk in the first inning of the spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Minnesota Twins Cut 4, Including Tyler Duffey

Barring any last minute trades, the roster now looks set after the Twins made roster moves today.

The Twins optioned starter Tyler Duffey and left handed reliever Ryan O’Rourke and reassigned relievers lefty Logan Darnell and righty Brandon Kintzler.

With those moves completed, that leaves 25 players on the official Spring Training roster. During games, various players are called upon for added bench depth from the minor league complex, but the roster is now set.

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After yesterday’s final audition, Tyler Duffey was hit hard early on, giving up another 4 runs in just 4 innings. Duffey was asked to throw his change-up a little more to see if that could be effective, but his control suffered as he allowed 3 walks and 4 hits (1 HR) during his outing. His ERA jumped to 7.30, but he was spared another Grapefruit League loss as Daniel Palka slugged his 3rd homer this Spring to help the Twins comeback with a win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

If Duffey had made the team as the 5th starter, then Ricky Nolasco would have been asked to pitch long relief out of the bullpen. With Duffey being the odd man out, the Twins would rather keep Duffey in a starter’s role. They’ll send him to AAA Rochester to fine tune his mechanics and get back to where he was during the second half of last season.

This also means Michael Tonkin makes the final 25 in its current form, barring any movement as GM Terry Ryan scours the other teams’ waiver wires.

The bench of John Ryan Murphy, Danny Santana, Oswaldo Arcia, and Eduardo Nunez is also set. Murphy has been struggling mightily at the plate. His one hit yesterday gives him 3 singles and 8 walks in 38 plate appearances this spring.

Twins’ manager Paul Molitor has said that the rotation is set. Ervin Santana gets the Opening Day nod, followed by Kyle Gibson, Phil Hughes, Tommy Milone, and then Ricky Nolasco.

Next: Minnesota Twins Club 3 Homers to beat the Red Sox in a Game Shortened by Weather

The Minnesota Twins will wind down camp in the next couple days here in Florida, before heading north to play the Nationals in Washington, D.C. for a night game Friday and a day game on Saturday. Sunday’s off day will allow the Twins to gather themselves in preparation for Opening Day Monday in Baltimore.

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