Twins select righty reliever Michael Tonkin’s contract from Triple-A St. Paul, demote right-handed pitcher Travis Adams as corresponding move
To clear up space for Tonkin, 35, on the 40-man roster, Minnesota designated right-handed pitcher Connor Gillispie, who posted a 14.49 ERA in 13 ⅔ innings over four outings with Triple-A St. Paul after the Twins claimed him off waivers from the Miami Marlins on June 23.
We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/HiGdS6AoSo
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) July 28, 2025
The Twins activated Tonkin from the 60-day injured list before selecting his contract. Tonkin, who the Twins claimed off waivers from the New York Yankees last August, originally landed on the 15-day IL with a right shoulder strain on March 26 before being transferred to the 60-day IL on May 16.
Tonkin, who was with the Twins from 2013 through 2017 and had a brief stint with the organization last season before playing for the Yankees and returning, has pitched 28 innings with Triple-A St. Paul this season. In 18 outings with the Saints this year, Tonkin has posted a 4.82 ERA and 1.21 WHIP while collecting 24 strikeouts.
Tonkin is the definition of a journeyman reliever. He spent the 2018 season playing in Japan before heading back to America in 2019. He played several seasons of minor league ball before eventually finding himself on the Atlanta Braves’ major league roster in 2023. Since then, he has pitched for the Mets, and as stated earlier, the Twins and Yankees.
Adams, who is Minnesota’s No. 21-ranked prospect per MLB Pipeline, struggled in the Twins’ 7-2 loss against the Washington Nationals on Sunday, surrendering five earned runs in 3 ⅓ innings during an extended relief outing. In three stints in the major leagues with Minnesota this season, Adams, 25, has allowed 11 earned runs on 17 hits, three walks and two hit-batters with nine strikeouts in 12 ⅓ innings pitched across four outings.
Despite Adams’ major league struggles this year, his minor league stats show a pitcher with potential. In 63 ⅔ innings with Triple-A St. Paul this season, Adams has a 3.68 ERA with 58 strikeouts and 20 walks over 19 outings (four starts). Adams will likely have another opportunity in the big leagues later in the season.