MN Twins Call On Old Friend in Another Bullpen Shuffle

As soon as Travis Adams was asked to continue throwing meatballs as the Washington Nationals bludgeoned the Minnesota Twins on Sunday it was obvious his time on the roster was wearing thin. Adams threw 83 pitches (just 48 strikes) and allowed five runs on five hits and a pair of walks.

Adams has been up for the MN Twins multiple times this season. Once he came up for three days and never pitched. Then he returned to make his major league debut. Used as a swingman to eat innings this year, it’s been tough sledding as he now owns an 8.03 ERA.

With the Boston Red Sox coming to town on Monday night, Rocco Baldelli needs an additional ready arm for the bullpen. Enter old friend Michael Tonkin.

Michael Tonkin rejoins Minnesota Twins

This offseason the MN Twins tendered Michael Tonkin a $1 million contract to avoid arbitration. He was in line to be an Opening Day member of the bullpen but got hurt and has spent the entire year at Triple-A. Now he’s headed back to the big leagues taking the spot of Adams in relief.

Michael Tonkin has his contract purchased and is called up. Travis Adams is optioned. Connor Gillispie DFA. #MNTwins

— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) July 28, 2025

Tonkin had a start and stop to his rehab assignment, but has been pitching routinely since June 7. Across 13 games he owns a 3.10 ERA and has held opposing batters to a .197/.263/.394 slash line.

It’s possible that Tonkin provides a capable quality of relief for the Twins. He pitched with both New York teams as well as Minnesota last season and posted a 3.63 ERA in 79 1/3 innings. Tonkin pitched for Minnesota from 2013 through 2018 before being out of Major League Baseball from 2018 through 2022.

This spring Tonkin didn’t look great, and he was roughed up early on during his rehab assignment. That could have been lingering effects from the right rotator cuff strain. Either way, the goal for him now will be to stick as a member of the bullpen. Out of options, Minnesota would need to DFA Tonkin and have him clear waivers if they were to make a move.

Pitcher shuffling continues for the MN Twins

Not only is Adams headed back to Triple-A St. Paul, but veteran Connor Gillispie has been designated for assignment and will be looking for a new home. The Twins claimed him and his 8.65 ERA from the Miami Marlins earlier this summer.

Gillispie was predictably poor for the St. Paul Saints. He pitched in four games (three starts) and tallied 13 2/3 innings with a 14.49 ERA. The right-hander gave up a whopping 22 runs on 22 hits and allowed six home runs.

Related: Good News Injury Update on Byron Buxton

Minnesota continues to search for pitching stability amongst their plethora of injuries. Baldelli opted for a bullpen game on Sunday against the Nationals. With Adams back to Triple-A, it seems likely that Bailey Ober could take back over a rotation spot when one is needed on Wednesday.

At this point the season is lost for the Minnesota Twins. Derek Falvey is faced with a fire sale prior to the trade deadline on Thursday, and the only question is to what extent he dives in.