Mason

Melotakis

A former second round pick of the Twins from the 2012 draft, the 29-year-old southpaw hadn’t pitched professionally since he was released by the Twins in 2018. He resurfaced with the Cleburne Railroaders of the independent American Association this season -- registering a 1.64 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 15/2 K/BB ratio across 11 innings of work. It was enough for the Marlins to take notice and gamble on a minor league deal.

Melotakis suffered an oblique strain at the start of camp, but he has gradually ramped things up in recent days. He responded well to throwing from a distance of 120 feet on Tuesday, so now he’s ready to take the next step. Barring any setbacks, he might not be far off from game action, but he appears likely to begin the season in the bullpen with Triple-A Rochester.

Melotakis suffered an oblique strain prior to reporting to camp and now he’s a bit behind the other pitchers. The 25-year-old posted a 2.97 ERA and 42/12 K/BB ratio over 33 1/3 relief innings in Double-A last season and is likely ticketed for the minors to begin the year.

The relief prospect will be shut down for a few days. Melotakis entered camp as a long shot to win an Opening Day roster spot and the oblique injury certainly won’t help his chances.

He had been out all spring with a strained oblique. Melotakis will begin the season in the minors.

The relief prospect hasn’t thrown off a mound yet and it will probably be a little while before he’s cleared to do so. Melotakis is unlikely to make the Twins’ Opening Day roster.

Melotakis has been slowed by an oblique strain dating back to the start of camp, but he’s making progress. The 25-year-old was hoping to make a case for a bullpen spot this spring, but odds are he’ll begin the year with Triple-A Rochester.

Melotakis has been sidelined by an oblique injury for the entirety of spring camp thus far. The first set of roster cuts will be coming March 13 and the 25-year-old southpaw may well be among them.

Twins manager Paul Molitor has already said that Melotakis is unlikely to take part in Grapefruit League action this spring. An oblique injury has laid him low for the entirety of camp to date. The 25-year-old left-hander might not survive the first set of roster cuts on March 13.

It was his first time facing live hitters this spring. Twins manager Paul Molitor told reporters earlier this month that Melotakis probably won’t participate in Grapefruit League play because of the oblique strain he suffered in mid-February. The 25-year-old left-hander figures to open the 2017 season in a relief role with Triple-A Rochester.