NEW YORK – The Twins had hoped to keep Tyler Kinley on the roster all season. They made it only four weeks.
Kinley, the righthander plucked from the Marlins' organization in the Rule 5 draft last December, was designated for assignment after Wednesday's loss to the Yankees, his roster spot suddenly more important than his future with the Twins.
"It's obviously tough. There's a lot to like about this young man," Twins manager Paul Molitor said after breaking the news to Kinley. "Unfortunately, we've run into a little bit of a spell here where we haven't gotten enough innings [from the starting rotation] to feel like we're protected."
Kinley had a 24.30 ERA in four games, giving up nine runs on nine hits and four walks in 3 1/3 innings.
The Twins called up 6-foot-10 Aaron Slegers from Class AAA Rochester. Slegers is 1-0 with a 2.00 ERA in three starts this season.
The Twins have seven days to either trade Kinley or place him on waivers; if he's not claimed by another team, they would have to offer him back to the Marlins, for whom he pitched the first five years of his pro career. It's possible the Twins will try to work out a trade with Miami in order to keep Kinley and send him outright to the minors.
Kinley has a fastball that can reach the upper 90s, but he's been hit hard in the majors this year. In four games, Kinley has recorded 10 outs while allowing nine runs and two home runs, striking out four and walking four.
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