The Minnesota Twins announced that they have acquired right-handed pitcher Michael Tonkin from the New York Mets in exchange for cash considerations.
Tonkin, 34, appeared in three games for the Mets this season, allowing two earned runs on six hits in 4.0 innings pitched (4.50 ERA) with one walk and three strikeouts. Last season, he pitched in 45 games for the Atlanta Braves, going 7-3 with a 4.28 ERA (80.0 IP, 38 ER), one save, two holds, 23 walks, 75 strikeouts, a 1.09 WHIP and a .217 (64-for-295) opponent batting average.
The 6-foot-7, 220-pound pitcher was originally drafted by the Twins in the 30th round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft out of Palmdale (CA) High School and made his debut with Minnesota in 2013. He pitched in parts of five seasons with the Twins from 2013-17, going 3-3 with a 4.43 ERA (146.1 IP, 72 ER), 54 walks and 149 strikeouts.
To make room for Tonkin on the 26-man roster, the Twins have placed outfielder Max Kepler on the 10-day Injured List with a right knee contusion (retroactive to April 7). Kepler, who fouled a ball off his right leg in the season opener on March 28 at Kansas City, has gone 1-for-20 with one walk in five games this season. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Twins have transferred right-handed pitcher Zack Weiss (right shoulder strain) to the 60-day Injured List.
(info courtesy of Twins)
