Twins retain Kyle Waldrop but will let Jacque Jones become a free agent

The Twins re-signed pitcher Kyle Waldrop to a minor-league deal Friday but decided to let outfielder Jacque Jones leave as a free agent.

Teams have until Saturday at 4 p.m., to retain their minor-league free agents, and the Twins finalized their decisions on Friday.

Waldrop, 25, posted a 2.57 ERA in 59 appearances for Class AAA Rochester this year. He was a first-round pick (No. 25 overall) in the 2004 draft but has made his way back from right shoulder surgery and looks like a reliever on the cusp of making the big leagues.

The Twins have until Nov. 19 to decide whether to place Waldrop on their 40-man roster or risk losing him in the Rule V draft. They also re-signed catcher Jair Fernandez and outfielder Juan Portes to minor-league deals.

Among the minor-league free agents the Twins did not retain are Jones, 1B Brock Peterson, LHP Jose Lugo, RHP Tim Lahey, INF Matt Macri, LHP Mike Maroth, SS Yancarlos Ortiz, RHP Matt Williams and RHP Charlie Zink.

Jones, 35, batted .280 with four homers and 31 RBI in 360 plate appearances for Rochester this year.