MINNEAPOLIS — The decision didn't come as a surprise to Matt Capps when the Minnesota Twins told the 29-year-old reliever they would not pick up his $6 million option for the 2013 season.
After all, Capps – who was paid a $250,000 buyout -- pitched in just 30 games in 2012 as he dealt with a rotator cuff injury in his right shoulder. Capps posted a 3.68 ERA in 29 1/3 innings but pitched just once after July 16.
"After being hurt and everything like that, I kind of saw it coming," Capps told FOXSportsNorth.com. "I was glad I could finish the year healthy. I wish I would have gotten the opportunity to get into a few more ball games there at the end of the year after I was off the (disabled list), but I was able to come in and throw in one game and felt pretty good with what I did and where I was at physically.
"I just wish I could have helped the ball club more this past year than I did. It kind of sucks that it ended the way that it did, but a lot of things are out of my control and out of my hands. Not a whole lot else I can do about it."
The Twins dealt for Capps prior to the trade deadline in 2010, sending catcher Wilson Ramos to the Washington Nationals in exchange for the reliever. In 27 games with the Twins in 2010, Capps had 16 saves and helped Minnesota win the American League Central.
During the 2011 season, Capps was 4-7 with a 4.25 ERA and 15 saves in 69 appearances for a Twins team that lost 99 games. Minnesota again suffered a 90-loss season in 2012, and Capps was frustrated he had to spend the better part of the second half on the disabled list.
"I tried to get back to be on the field with your teammates. That's the No. 1 objective," Capps said. "When you get healthy, you want to be out there and help them contribute. There's nothing worse than sitting on the couch, watching them on TV or sitting in the dugout or the bullpen knowing there's nothing you can do about it."
Capps isn't the only Twins pitcher who had an option on his contract for next season. Right-hander Scott Baker missed the entire 2012 season after having Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. Minnesota must decide whether to pick up Baker's $9.25 million option, which seems unlikely for a pitcher coming off major surgery.
There's a chance the Twins could bring back either or both pitchers for a cheaper rate. For now, though, Capps will play the waiting game this offseason.
"It's a new chapter in my career. We'll turn the page, see what happens this offseason," Capps said. "For all I know, the Twins are going to call back and say, 'We didn't pick up the option, but we'd like you back for less than the option.' That's something we'll entertain and look at and go from there. …
"I really haven't thought much of anything about it. I don't know if it's even a possibility. There's no point in thinking about it, getting excited, getting down, whatever. It's out of my hands."
More roster moves: In addition to declining Capps' 2013 option, the Twins announced a handful of roster moves Wednesday, outrighting six players off the 40-man roster.
Pitchers Jeff Manship, Luis Perdomo, Esmerling Vasquez, Kyle Waldrop and P.J. Walters and outfielder Matt Carson all were outrighted from the Twins' major league roster.
Additionally, the Twins claimed right-hander Carlos Gutierrez off outright waivers from the Chicago Cubs and added him to their 40-man roster. Minnesota picked Gutierrez, 26, with the No. 27 overall pick in the 2008 draft. He pitched at Triple-A Rochester in each of the last three seasons, but appeared in just 10 games this season due to a shoulder injury.
Right-handers Cole De Vries, Carl Pavano and Baker were reinstated off the disabled list Wednesday. With all of Wednesday's moves, the Twins have 35 players on their 40-man roster.
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