Anthony

Slama

Slama pitched well with Triple-A Rochester last season, but had an ugly 13.50 ERA in 14 relief appearances this season. The 29-year-old figures to draw interest elsewhere.

Slama appeared in just two games for the Twins this season but boasted a 2.92 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 42/16 K/BB ratio over 37 Triple-A innings. He was shut down late in the year with a flexor pronator muscle strain in his right elbow but did not require surgery.

Slama allowed five earned runs in 2 1/3 innings this spring. He will serve as organizational bullpen depth.

The 29-year-old posted a spectacular 1.24 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 56/18 K/BB ratio over 36 1/3 innings at Triple-A Rochester in 2012. A broken fibula sidelined him for eight weeks last season, but he’s now fully healthy and ready to break camp with the team. However, it’s unlikely he’ll be fantasy relevant.

Slama hasn’t hit the wall in Double-A, at least not yet. Scouts have never thought his stuff would translate, but he has a 1.12 ERA and 176 strikeouts in 112 1/3 innings as a pro. He does get his fastball over 90 mph and he’s especially tough on righties with his low arm angle, so he has a pretty good chance of turning into a useful major leaguer, even if he’s just as a sixth- and seventh-inning guy.

Slama doesn’t throw gas, but that’s not stopping him from whiffing 20 batters in 11 1/3 outings for Double-A New Britain. The Twins are also fans of his funky delivery, and could replace Craig Breslow shortly. Gardenhire has given Breslow notice, saying that his nine walks in 6 2/3 innings cannot continue.

Slama was credited with the victory after the Twins won it in the bottom of the ninth. It was just the third inning the 26-year-old Slama has pitched this spring, but they’ve all been hitless and he’s struck out six. Annually a dominant force in the minors, he deserves a real chance of making the Twins, though it hasn’t looked like he’s going to get one.

Slama had been in independent ball after being released by the Twins last year. He really struggled in 2013 but boasts a 2.50 ERA with 485 strikeouts over 374 2/3 career minor league innings, so the 30-year-old is worth a shot.

Slama will not need surgery at this time and instead will report to Fort Myers, FL to begin strengthening/flexibility exercises. His season seems likely to be over, though at least he won’t have to go under the knife. Slama has a 2.92 ERA and 42/16 K/BB ratio over 37 innings with Triple-A Rochester this season.

Slama was placed on the minor league disabled list last week with right elbow soreness. Similar to his teammate Kyle Gibson, he is scheduled to undergo further testing Tuesday. The 27-year-old right-hander has made two appearances with the Twins this season and has a 2.92 ERA and 42/16 K/BB ratio over 37 innings with Triple-A Rochester.