Casey

Fien

He’ll also get an invite to spring training. Fien was released by the Astros last June after compiling a 4.81 ERA and 24/8 K/BB ratio over 24 1/3 innings with Triple-A Oklahoma City. The 28-year-old right-hander has an 8.36 ERA in 11 big league appearances, all with the Tigers. He’ll likely serve as organizational depth in 2012.

He’ll take the roster spot of Nick Blackburn, who was demoted to the minors. Fien signed a minor league deal with the Twins over the winter and had a 4.30 ERA and 42/14 K/BB ratio over 46 innings at the Triple-A level. The 28-year-old right-hander hasn’t appeared in the big leagues since 2010 as a member of the division rival Tigers.

The 28-year-old right-hander has a 4.19 ERA over 11 appearances. After getting pounded in limited run for the Tigers between 2009-2010, Fien has rejuvenated his career up north, posting a stingy 2.87 ERA and 1.01 WHIP over 56 games since the Twins called him up on the Fourth of July, 2012.

Burton has an 11.00 ERA over his last 10 appearances, necessitating him being booted from a setup role. “You always try to say you’ll get him in some nonpressure situations, but I don’t know if there are those in the big leagues,” Gardenhire said. “So we’ll try to get him in some situations where it’s not the eighth and a one-run lead.” Casey Fien seems likely to be used as Glen Perkins’ primary setup man for now.

The right-hander is active and in uniform for Saturday’s game against the Mets. He’s taking the roster spot of Julio Urias who was optioned back to Triple-A on Saturday. Fien registered a 7.90 ERA, 1.76 WHIP and 12/3 K/BB ratio over 13 2/3 innings before he was cut by the Twins earlier in the season.

Fien has been out for about a month with right elbow tendinitis. He returns to a 5.55 ERA in 35 appearances.

Luis Avilan has been called up to provide some bullpen depth. Fien has posted a rough 5.55 ERA in 35 appearances this season despite a solid 31/8 K/BB ratio in 35 2/3 innings. It’s unclear how much time he’ll need to miss.

Fien has posted a 5.30 ERA across 37 relief appearances in the majors this season. He’ll be back in September when rosters expand.

He’s been on a throwing program but this will be his first pen session since going on the disabled list with elbow tendinitis earlier this month. Fien carries a 5.55 ERA over 35 appearances for the Twins and Dodgers this year.

He’s been sidelined with elbow tendinitis the last three weeks. It’s unclear how many rehab outings he’ll need but it won’t be long until Fien is back in the Dodgers’ bullpen. The 32-year-old has struggled to a 5.55 ERA in 35 outings this year.