Minnesota Twins Claim Pirates Pitcher Off Waivers

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Joey Wentz
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Twins entered this season with more pitching depth than they knew what to do with, which forced them to stash multiple big-league caliber prospects in St. Paul while Pablo Lopez, Joe Ryan & Co. kep the Twins afloat during a slow offensive start to 2025.

Unfortunately, that changed fast following a three game trip out west to Sacramento vs the Athletics that landed both Pablo Lopez and Zebby Matthews on the injured list. Life has not been easy, since coming home. The Twins have lost four of their last five games, a stretch that culminated Tuesday night in a 16-4 drubbing at the hands of the Texas Rangers.

Simeon Woods Richardson looked brutal in his return to the rotation — 4.2 IP, 7 H, 7 R (6 ER). Unfortunately for the Twins, Jorge Alcala was determined to look worse, throwing 1.2 innings where he allowed 5 hits and 6 runs (5 earned).

Joey Wentz headed to Minnesota Twins active roster

It remains to be seen where the Minnesota Twins will turn for their next starting pitcher, if Simeon Woods Richardson and David Festa continue to struggle. The bullpen got a new arm today, claiming former first round pick Joey Wentz off waivers from Pittsburgh.

Directly out of high school, Joey Wentz was taken 40th overall in the 2016 MLB Draft by the Atlanta Braves. He made his big league debut with the Detroit Tigers during the 2022 season. He operated as a starter until last year, when he transitioned to a full-time reliever.

The Pirates acquired Wentz at the end of last season. He made eight appearances (12 innings) for Pittsburgh in 2024, allowing just two runs on six hits with a 13/6 K/BB. This year, Wentz has a 4.15 ERA (3.77 FIP) in 26 innings. He has struck out 22 hitters and walked 11.

Related: MLB Insider Reveals Surprising Minnesota Twins Trade Deadline Plans

The left-handed pitcher is averaging a career-best 93.9 mph on his fastball this season and uses it over 50% of the time. He pairs the pitch with a cutter and curveball. Wentz isn’t going to be a dominant arm out of the pen for the Minnesota Twins, but he provides another left-handed option to go with Danny Coulombe.

To clear room on the 40-man roster for Wentz, the Twins placed Pablo Lopez on the 60-day injured list. He is expected to miss between eight and twelve weeks with a grade 2 teres major strain. The move is procedural and doesn’t change his timeline.

How do MN Twins roster Joey Wentz?

Joey Wentz is expected to arrive in Minneapolis on Thursday, when the Twins will have to take someone off the 26-man-roster, in order to activate Wentz before the game. Which bullpen arm will Wentz replace? That is the question.

The Twins have been hesitant to put players on waivers and don’t like to lose guys. Still, this might finally be the end for Jorge Alcala, who signed for $1.5 million this season. He simply has not returned to the pitcher we once thought he would be, prior to injuries in 2022 and 2023 that derailed a hot start MLB career.

Through 22 appearances this season (24.1 IP) Alcala owns an 8.88 ERA. His 10.4 K/9 is a career-best, but he is walking a ridiculous 5.5 batters per nine innings. He has also allowed a 1.8 HR/9 and 9-of-22 outings have resulted in runs scored.

The Minnesota Twins would need to designate Alcala for assignment, or place him on the injured list to open his roster spot. It’s unlikely he is DFA’d given the 40-man opening Lopez provided.

There really isn’t another likely candidate to hit the injured list unless something that has yet to be reported is lingering. Either way, we’ll find out Thursday how the Twins are going to handle the move.

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