Veteran reliever signs minor league deal with Twins

The Twins signed veteran reliever Nick Wittgren to a minor league deal. The contract was announced by their Double-A team in Wichita, where the righty will begin his time in the organization.

That Wittgren is headed to Double-A suggests he’s not on the radar for an MLB call in the near future. He has plenty of big-league experience, though, having tallied 329 1/3 innings over eight seasons. The 32-year-old righty was in the majors as recently as last year, throwing 29 innings of 4.97 ERA ball for the Royals. It was the third straight season in which his ERA hovered around 5.00.

Going back to the start of 2021, Wittgren carries a 5.24 earned run average in 120 1/3 frames. He was a solid middle relief option for Miami and Cleveland in the three preceding seasons, though. Between 2018-20, he fanned nearly a quarter of batters faced while working to a 2.97 ERA in 112 appearances. Wittgren’s strikeout rate has plummeted in the last couple years, but he throws plenty of strikes and hasn’t required an injured list stay since 2018.

The bullpen has been a strength despite Minnesota’s pedestrian 11-13 start. Their relievers entered play Friday ranked fourth in MLB with a 2.60 ERA. Twins relievers have punched out 30% of opposing hitters, the highest rate in the majors. The group should only improve in the coming weeks as they welcome back two high-leverage arms from injury. Star closer Jhoan Duran (oblique strain) and offseason pickup Justin Topa (knee tendinitis) have been on the IL all season. They’re each on minor league rehab stints and could return before the end of the month.