MINNEAPOLIS – After claiming left-handed reliever Joey Wentz off waivers on Wednesday, the Twins had to clear a spot on the roster. They did so by trading reliever Jorge Alcala to the Red Sox for Minor League infielder Andy Lugo.
TRADE DETAILS
Twins get: INF Andy Lugo
Red Sox get: RHP Jorge Alcala
Alcala, 29, pitched parts of seven seasons with the Twins, compiling a career record of 9-13 with a 4.32 ERA and one save. He was viewed as a potential high-leverage reliever at times during his career and was having a strong 2024 season, but he hit a major snag after allowing five runs in just two-thirds of an inning at Texas on Aug. 18 and couldn’t find his way back.
Over his final 12 outings last year, Alcala posted a 7.30 ERA and allowed five home runs in just 12 1/3 innings. This year was mostly more of the same, as he pitched to an ERA of 8.88 with 15 walks in 24 1/3 innings.
“Jorge did a lot of great things for this organization, and I told him that when I brought him into the room to tell him about the trade,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. “He’s got a lot of productivity left in him, and he’s gonna have a nice, long career.”
Lugo, who turned 21 in March, signed with the Red Sox out of the Dominican Republic in 2021. This season, he’s slashing .265/.327/.430 in 171 plate appearances with High-A Greenville.
Meanwhile, Wentz was activated on Thursday and was eager to start making contributions to his new organization.
“When I found out I was coming here … I was pretty pumped,” Wentz said. “Playing against the Twins, it's a lot of the same guys, it seems like, from last year and the year before. Seems like really good leadership. Everybody comes prepared. Just try to play my role and help out any way I can.”