Darren

McCaughan

McCaughan, who turns 30 in March, is a Triple-A innings eater with a 6.02 ERA in six starts and 14 relief appearances as a major leaguer. He’ll help Louisville, though.

McKenzie headlines a group of 19 players who elected minor league free agency earlier this week, including catcher Matt Thaiss; infielders Scott Kingery, Keston Hiura, Sergio Alcántara, Terrin Vavra and Vimael Machín; outfielders Jose Siri, Connor Joe and Jordyn Adams; and relievers Noah Davis, Scott Blewett, Brooks Kriske, Kevin Herget, Cionel Pérez, Darren McCaughan, Richard Lovelady, José Ruiz and Jordan Weems.

The 29-year-old hurler had been designated for assignment earlier in the week but passed through waivers unclaimed and will continue to function as extra depth for the Twins at the Triple-A level. McCaughan holds a 1.69 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and a 6/1 K/BB ratio over 5 1/3 innings in three appearances with the Twins this season.

McCaughan knows the drill by now. He didn’t pitch in his one day on the Twins’ roster. It’s the second time Minnesota has DFA’d him this season.

The 29-year-old McCaughan was up briefly in April and had a 1.69 ERA in 5 1/3 innings of relief. He had a 5.35 ERA in 10 starts and seven relief appearances for St. Paul. He’s been starting lately, so he could either go long tonight or perhaps start in place of Simeon Woods Richardson on Wednesday.

That was fast. McCaughan rejoins the Twins mere minutes after he elected free agency. The 29-year-old will be a depth piece with St. Paul while he’s in the Minnesota organization.

McCaughan was outrighted to Triple-A St. Paul after going unclaimed on waivers. He’ll likely be looking at another minor league deal if he stays stateside.

The 29-year-old right-hander had been designated for assignment earlier in the week, but he passed through waivers unclaimed and will continue to function as extra bullpen depth for the Twins. McCaughan has pitched well in 5 1/3 innings for the big league club this season — allowing just one run with a 6/1 K/BB ratio across 5 1/3 innings. He’ll almost assuredly get another opportunity in Minneapolis in relatively short order.

The Twins needed a fresh arm in the bullpen and decided to move on from McCaughan, who allowed one run on two hits in 2/3 innings against the Astros yesterday. However, that was the only run he has allowed in 5 1/3 innings this season while striking out six and walking one, so the Twins are gambling that nobody else will take a chance on the 29-year-old. Scott Blewett was called up to take his spot on the active roster.

Blewett was removed from the 40-man roster in November but re-signed to a minor league contract later that month and will now be back on the 40-man roster. The 28-year-old had a 1.77 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 18/8 K/BB ratio across 20 1/3 innings (12 appearances) last year for Minnesota. He had allowed three runs on three hits in 2 1/3 innings in Triple-A this season while striking out three and walking two. RHP Darren McCaughan was designated for assignment to make room on the active roster.