MINNEAPOLIS — With spring training in the near future, the Minnesota Twins claimed outfielder Darin Mastroianni off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays.
In order to make room for Mastroianni on the 40-man roster, the Twins designated right-handed reliever Esmerling Vasquez for assignment. Minnesota claimed Vasquez off waivers from Arizona in late September.
Mastroianni, 26, split time between Double-A New Hampshire and Triple-A Las Vegas in 2011. In 79 games with Las Vegas, the right-handed Mastroianni hit .276, drove in 23 runs and stole 20 bases. He was originally a 16th-round draft pick of Toronto in the 2007 draft.
In 2010 with New Hampshire, Mastroianni batted .301 with a .390 on-base percentage and 46 stolen bases.
"We certainly like his speed and he can play center, left and right," Twins general manager Terry Ryan said. "He had an excellent year two years ago in New Hampshire. He had an off year this year, and I suspect that’s probably why they probably tried to get him off their roster. But we like what we saw, so we put a claim in on him. We had a few people that had seen him. He certainly has skills."
The Twins’ pitchers and catchers will report to spring training in Fort Myers, Fla., on Feb. 18. Minnesota’s first full-squad workout will be held Feb. 24.
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