MINNEAPOLIS — In need of another arm in the bullpen, the Minnesota Twins recalled right-hander Jeff Manship from Triple-A Rochester prior to Sunday's game. With the move, Minnesota is back to 13 pitchers on the 25-man roster.
To make room for Manship, the Twins designated outfielder Erik Komatsu for release or assignment.
Manship, 27, has pitched briefly in each of the last three seasons with Minnesota. In 12 games with Rochester this year, including four starts, he was 4-1 with a 3.08 ERA. He'll pitch out of the bullpen for the Twins, according to manager Ron Gardenhire.
"We need pitching," Gardenhire said. "We have to have enough pitching right now. Our bullpen's depleted and we have to protect ourselves. Manship's been throwing well. He's ready, available and extended out. He's been starting, so we've got some innings out there if we get into any kind of situations today."
The Twins claimed Komatsu off waivers from St. Louis in early May, but playing time was hard to come by lately for the 24-year-old outfielder. He hasn't been in the starting lineup since May 16. In 15 games with Minnesota, including nine in the starting lineup, Komatsu was 7-for-32 (.219) with one RBI and no extra-base hits.
Komatsu was a Rule 5 draft pick of the Cardinals, who obtained him from Washington in December. He was originally drafted by Milwaukee in 2008 and then traded to the Nationals, meaning the Twins were his fourth organization in four years.
"It's not easy. You've just got to make a decision and go with it," Gardenhire said. "We like a lot of things all these guys do. There was a reason we picked up Komatsu, but right now, this is the best fit. It gives us more flexibility this way. . . .
"He's been traveling a little bit. Tough situation for the kid, but he needs to play. He's not getting to play here."
Manship said he arrived in the Twin Cities around 9:30 a.m. Sunday. He'll be in the bullpen for the series finale against the Tigers and is stretched out if the Twins need him to pitch in long relief.
"My arm can handle multiple innings, which is good. I'm glad to see that I was able to have seven innings in my last outing," Manship said. "There were some times I was working on mechanical issues, but I think my last outing I kind of ironed it out and figured out something that's definitely help me."
Follow Tyler Mason on Twitter.
