Minnesota Twins recall lefty reliever Kody Funderburk from Triple-A St. Paul, place journeyman lefty reliever Anthony Misiewicz on 15-day Injured List
Minnesota placed Misiewicz, 30, on the 15-day IL (retroactive to July 23) with left shoulder impingement and recalled Funderburk, 28, from Triple-A St. Paul as a corresponding move, according to the Twins’ transaction log.
Misiewicz entered the Twins’ game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday at the beginning of the bottom of the eighth. After getting ahead of Freddie Freeman with an 0-2 count, Misiewicz struggled to get near the zone, issuing a walk by throwing four straight balls. Manager Rocco Baldelli then decided to remove Misiewicz from the game, which now clearly was the correct move.
The Twins promoted Misiewicz, who previously played in the major leagues for five other teams, on July 9 as a corresponding move to designating lefty reliever Joey Wentz for assignment. In four outings since being called up, Misiewicz has allowed five earned runs on four hits (two home runs) and three walks across 4 ⅓ innings.
This marks the third time this season that the Twins promoted Funderburk to the 26-man roster from Triple-A St. Paul. Funderburk, who has a 6.92 ERA in 13 innings for the Twins this season, last went to the minor leagues when Minnesota recalled Travis Adams on July 5.
Funderburk has a clear role with the Twins this year as someone who can give the team innings when a reliever gets injured. Since his last demotion to Triple-A, Funderburk has surrendered one run in four innings across three appearances. Overall, he has a 1.78 ERA with 25 strikeouts in 25 ⅓ innings for the Saints this year.
Twins set to begin three-game series against the Washington Nationals
The three-game set between Minnesota and Washington is scheduled to commence at 7:10 p.m. CT on Friday at Target Field in Minneapolis. The probable starting pitchers are righty Zebby Matthews for the Twins and lefty MacKenzie Gore for the Nationals. If Minnesota wants any chance at avoiding a trade deadline sell-off, it must take care of business against Washington.