Tyler

Thornburg

Thornburg signed a minor league contract with the Twins back in June and wound up making just five relief appearances for the Twins before being designated for assignment in early July. The 33-year-old veteran reliever will likely have to latch on elsewhere on a new minor league pact.

Thornburg passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment last week and will remain with the Twins as organizational relief depth. The 33-year-old righty has made 14 solid relief appearances this season between the Braves and Twins.

Thornburg managed a 2.79 ERA but a 4/6 K/BB ratio over 9 2/3 innings with the Twins. Juan Minaya is taking his spot.

The Twins had signed Thornburg to a minor league contract earlier this month. He’ll join the team after Chi Chi Gonzalez was designated for assignment.

Thornburg will serve as organizational relief depth for the Twins this season. The 33-year-old veteran righty made nine relief appearances earlier this season for the Braves, posting a 3.86 ERA, 1.82 WHIP and 10/5 K/BB ratio across 9 1/3 innings, before being designated for assignment and released back in late May.

Thornburg was released by the Braves after going unclaimed on waivers. His released clears a spot on the roster for reliever Jesús Cruz. The 33-year-old may get an opportunity to catch on with a bullpen elsewhere after posting a 3.86 ERA over 9 1/3 innings in Atlanta.

Thornburg made the Braves’ season-opening roster and wound up allowing six runs (four earned) on 12 hits with a 10/5 K/BB ratio across 9 1/3 innings (nine appearances). There’s a strong possibility that the 33-year-old veteran reliever passes through waivers unclaimed and remains with the organization as extra relief depth.

The deal is a non-guaranteed contract, which means that Thornburg will have to make the Braves’ Opening Day roster this spring. The 33-year-old righty, who is coming off Tommy John elbow reconstructive surgery, last pitched in the majors during the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign when he appeared in seven games with the Reds.

Thornburg recently went on the 45-day injured list for a right elbow sprain, but it’s news that he required major elbow surgery to correct the injury. Relievers can sometimes work their way back from Tommy John surgery faster than starters, but it’s still up in the air whether the soon-to-be 32-year-old will get back at some point in the 2021 season. It’s been tough sledding injury-wise for Thornburg during his major league career, as he also underwent thoracic outlet syndrome surgery a few years ago.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster and effectively ends his season. Thornburg suffered a right elbow sprain last Thursday.