The Minnesota Twins reduced their roster to 40 players Sunday by optioning three players to Triple-A Rochester and sending five others to minor-league camp.
Left-handed pitcher Kris Johnson, catcher Eric Fryer and infielder Danny Santana were optioned while left-hander Sean Gilmartin, outfielders Darin Mastroianni and Jermaine Mitchell and infielders James Beresford and Brandon Waring were reassigned.
Mastroianni has the most major-league experience among the cuts, having played 107 games over the last two seasons with the Twins (he also played one game with the Pirates in 2010). In 30 games last season, he batted just .185.
Johnson was acquired in the offseason from Pittsburgh for Duke Welker.
Fryer was trying to make the team as a backup to Kurt Suzuki. He has played in 22 major-league games in the last three seasons including six games with the Twins last season when he went 5-for-13 with a home run.
Gilmartin was acquired in the trade with Atlanta for Ryan Doumit.
The Twins now have 40 players in camp: 20 pitchers (4 non-roster), 4 catchers (1 non-roster), 9 infielders (3 non-roster) and 7 outfielders (2 non-roster).
