Another New MN Twins Reliever Bites Dust in Debut

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Derek Shelton - Minnesota Twins
Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Twins gutted their entire bullpen at the trade deadline last season. Then this offseason, they did next to nothing, to rebuild it. Fast-forward a few months and, unsurprisingly, the Twins are struggling to find consistency on the mound later in games.

Thus, Derek Shelton has been shuffling through relievers like a casino does blackjack decks on a busy Saturday night. On Wednesday, we saw the Twins’ latest bullpen addition, Luis Garcia, fumble his first opportunity on the bump.

Luis Garcia struggles in Minnesota Twins debut

After being released by the New York Mets (who are baseball’s worst team at 10-19) on April 14, Luis Garcia found employment with the Minnesota Twins on April 21. And after just two innings at Triple-A St. Paul, he was called up for big league duty.

The 39-year-old had previously sat 96-97 mph with his fastball, but didn’t use it with the Mets. Instead he went heavy splitter/sinker with the latter registering 94 mph. Against the Mariners on Tuesday, Garcia gave up two runs on a pair of hits, in his Twins debut. His ERA is now ballooned to 8.59.

Now we know why New York gave Garcia just 6 1/3 innings this year before cutting their losses. As a Met, he allowed six runs (five earned) on 11 hits. Unfortunately, his debut in Minnesota wasn’t any better.

Meanwhile, just in case anybody is wondering, former MN Twins reliever, Louie Varland — who’s now closing games for the Toronto Blue Jays — has allowed just one run in 15 innings so far this season, with a 23/4 K/BB ratio.

Twins roster moves from Tuesday

To make room for Garcia on the roster, the Twins placed Garrett Acton on the injured list. He was acquired in a minor league trade earlier this season for Logan Whitaker. Prior to being placed on the IL, Acton allowed five runs (two earned) across 6 2/3 innings, with a 9/3 K/BB.

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