The Minnesota Twins have reinstated right-handed starting pitcher Taj Bradley from the 15-day injured list, the team announced on Saturday morning. Right-handed reliever Luis García was designated for assignment as a corresponding move.
The Twins' decision to DFA García was a long time coming. Minnesota signed the righty to a minor-league deal on April 21, one week after the New York Mets released him. The Twins selected his contract from Triple-A St. Paul on April 28. In his short stint with Minnesota, García posted an awful 10.38 ERA with a 4.8% strikeout rate, a 9.5% walk rate and a .324 batting average against.
Bradley is slated to start vs. the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park today. It appears he is essentially taking right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson's spot in the rotation. Woods Richardson also didn't make his last turn in the rotation, with left-hander Kendry Rojas starting against the Houston Astros at Target Field five days ago and hurling four scoreless innings.
Bradley's return improves Twins' rotation, bullpen
Bradley rejoins a Minnesota rotation that currently consists of Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, Connor Prielipp and Zebby Matthews. Woods Richardson and Rojas are likely relievers going forward but could also make an occasional start to give the rotation more rest. When Mick Abel returns, the Twins will have to make a tough decision. Matthews may be sent down to Triple-A St. Paul. Or, the team may go with a six-man rotation to give Prielipp, who is on pace to shatter his personal innings record this season, more rest between outings.
Bradley's return obviously puts the Twins' starting rotation in a much better spot. The righty was arguably the Twins' best starting pitcher before being placed on the injured list with right pectoralis muscle inflammation on May 9, posting a 2.87 ERA with a 26.1% strikeout rate in 47 innings across eight starts. Bradley's return also significantly improves the bullpen.
Rojas has now basically taken García's spot in the bullpen. In 11 1/3 big-league innings this season, Rojas has posted a 1.59 ERA with a 22.4% strikeout rate. His command hasn't been great, as he's allowed nine walks. However, he allowed just one walk and two hits over his four scoreless innings in his last outing.
The Twins' bullpen has been one of the worst in the league this year, ranking 26th in ERA (4.86), but has been better lately and should perform at a higher level from now on with García and Justin Topa gone.
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