MINNEAPOLIS – The Twins added pitching depth on Wednesday when they claimed left-handed reliever Joey Wentz off waivers from the Pirates.
Local fans might recall Wentz from his time with the Tigers from 2022-24, when he posted an 0-3 record with a 4.60 ERA in nine appearances against the Twins. Overall, the 27-year-old Wentz is 8-18 with a 5.40 ERA in 231 2/3 innings in his four-year MLB career.
”We’re excited to have him,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. “He’s been in the bullpen more recently. He’s a guy that can give you length if you need it, but he also has good stuff. So it gives you an opportunity to make good adjustments and maybe even help him go beyond even anything that he’s been doing to this point.”
Wentz was en route to the Twin Cities on Wednesday, and he was expected to be activated on Thursday, when a corresponding move will be announced.
To clear space on the 40-man roster, the Twins moved right-hander Pablo López to the 60-day injured list, retroactive to June 5. He is still expected to miss 8 to 12 weeks with a teres major muscle strain in his right shoulder.