Minnesota Twins: Matt Magill becomes latest bullpen member to be designated for assignment

The Minnesota Twins have had enough of their bullpen woes, designating their third reliever for assignment in the past week.

Chances are that if you’re a member of the Minnesota Twins’ bullpen, you’re having a rough week. As Trevor May hung a pair of curveballs to blow leads on Sunday and Wednesday, the Twins also saw several other relievers get lit up as they try to stay atop the American League Central.

With the lead over the Cleveland Indians shrinking to four games, the Twins are beginning to get antsy. While a major move to bolster the bullpen hasn’t been made, Chief Baseball Officer Derek Falvey and General Manager Thad Levine have made minor moves for the time being with the hope that a big one is on the horizon.

Of those smaller moves, the Twins have been active in the short term designating three relievers for assignment this past week with the latest victim being right-hander Matt Magill. The 29-year old was in his second season with the Twins after a solid 2018 season where he put up 3.81 ERA in 56 2/3 innings. There was a warning sign, however, as Magill’s FIP of 5.08 was well above his ERA, suggesting that regression was on its way.

As the Twins utilized their cheap bullpen to perfection earlier in the season, Magill’s flaws weren’t too much of a problem. Through his first 14 appearances of the season, the right-hander posted a 1.35 ERA and registered 18 strikeouts in 13 1/3 innings. After June 1, the wheels would fall off as Magill posted a 7.20 ERA and hitters were posting a .318 with a .999 OPS.

With the Twins just 1-9 in Magill’s last 10 appearances, the final straw might have come on Wednesday afternoon when when he allowed six runs (all unearned) including a 474-foot moonshot from Pete Alonso that nearly left Target Field. With the Twins trying to stay afloat while trying to find reinforcements, a move had to be made.

Magill joined Adalberto Mejia and Mike Morin as bullpen casualties this week as pressure continues to build with the Indians making a push. While the Twins have played .500 baseball over the past month and a half, they clearly need a spark.

With no new move on the horizon, the Twins recalled Kohl Stewart from Triple-A Rochester. The fourth overall pick of the 2013 MLB Draft hasn’t come anywhere near matching his expectations but has pitched decently for the Twins with a 1-1 record and a 4.15 ERA in 17 2/3 innings this season. Odds are Stewart will be used if Minnesota needs to eat innings during their weekend series with the Oakland Athletics and may be sent down if the Twins are able to strike a deal.