Designating backend-of-the-bullpen arms for assignment after they assumed a large sum of innings has been a roster construction strategy for the Minnesota Twins this season.
The latest edition of the strategy occurred on Saturday; according to a post on X from the organization, the Minnesota Twins designated Scott Blewett for assignment after the right-handed reliever pitched well against the Detroit Tigers, one of the league’s top offenses (.780 OPS, 3rd in MLB), on Friday. Against the Tigers, Blewett allowed one run in 2 ⅓ innings on 36 pitches. In his only other start for the Twins this season, he allowed just one hit in 2 ⅓ scoreless innings on 31 pitches against the Kansas City Royals on Monday.
Left-handed reliever Kody Funderburk will take Blewett’s spot on Minnesota’s roster
Funderburk impressed in his first major league season, allowing one run in 12 innings out of the bullpen for the Twins in 2023. However, the lefty battled an oblique injury and had a 6.49 ERA in 34 2/3 innings in the majors last season amid some time with the Saints. This season, Funderburk has allowed one hit and two walks across 5 ⅔ scoreless innings at the Triple-A level.
The Twins' roster strategy started with Randy Dobnak’s demotion on March 31 following a one-run, 5 ⅓-inning outing. Derek Falvey clearly knew Dobnak would clear waivers, and the 2019 ALDS starting pitcher served a valuable role on the roster by eating a large chunk of innings early in the season.
Darren McCaughan was the next pitcher to experience a short-term role in the Twins’ bullpen.
McCaughan, 29, got the call to the big leagues following the DFA of Dobnak. McCaughan allowed one run in 5 ⅓ innings on 86 pitches across three outings in the major leagues before suffering the same fate as Dobnak.
McCaughan, who collected a historical strikeout of Jose Altuve earlier in the season, chose free agency after his release from the Twins but re-signed with the club on a minor league contract Friday. The journeyman reliever will head to St. Paul.
Blewett took McCaughan’s spot on the Twins’ roster on Monday before the promotion of Funderburk, who could very likely befall the same misfortune as the other low-leverage arms within a matter of days.