Club declines option on Colomé, outrights Refsnyder
MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL, MN – The Minnesota Twins announced today that they have claimed right-handed pitcher Jharel Cotton off waivers from the Texas Rangers.
Cotton, 29, appeared in 23 games for the Rangers last season, going 2-0 with a 3.52 ERA (30.2 IP, 12 ER), 15 walks, 30 strikeouts and a 1.40 WHIP. He also appeared in 24 games (2 starts) for Triple-A Round Rock in 2021, going 4-0 with a 3.00 ERA (42.0 IP, 14 ER), 17 walks, 57 strikeouts and a 1.17 WHIP. Over parts of three major league seasons, he has gone 13-10 with a 4.71 ERA (189.0 IP, 99 ER), 72 walks and 158 strikeouts in 52 games (29 starts) for Texas and Oakland. The right-hander was born in St. Thomas, in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 20th round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft out of East Carolina University.
Additionally, the Twins have declined the 2022 club option on right-handed pitcher Alexander Colomé, and have outrighted outfielder Rob Refsnyder off the 40-man roster.
Colomé, who signed as a free agent last offseason, appeared in 67 games for the Twins in 2021, going 4-4 with a 4.15 ERA (65.0 IP, 30 ER), 23 walks, 58 strikeouts and 17 saves in 24 opportunities. Gant, who was acquired from St. Louis at the trade deadline in exchange for left-handed pitcher J.A. Happ, appeared in 14 games (7 starts) for the Twins, going 1-5 with a 5.61 ERA (33.2 IP, 21 ER), 15 walks and 36 strikeouts. Refsnyder, who signed a minor league contract last offseason, played in 51 games for the Twins in 2021, hitting .245 (34-for-139) with seven doubles, two home runs. 12 RBI, 21 runs scored and 17 walks.
The Twins 40-man roster is now at 31.