Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN– The Minnesota Twins announced today that they have placed right-handed pitcherMichael Pinedaon the 10-day Injured List with right knee tendinitis. Pineda, who made the start last night vs. the Milwaukee Brewers, has started 11 games for the Twins this season, going 4-3 with a 5.34 ERA (59.0 IP, 35 ER), 11 walks and 50 strikeouts.
To replace Pineda on the 25-man roster, the Twins have selected the contract of left-handed pitcherDevin Smeltzerfrom Triple-A Rochester. Smeltzer, 23, made four starts for the Red Wings, going 0-1 with a 1.82 ERA (24.2 IP, 5 ER), seven walks and 15 strikeouts. In nine combined starts for the Red Wings and Double-A Pensacola this season, he went 3-2 with a 1.15 ERA (54.2 IP, 7 ER), 10 walks, 48 strikeouts, an opponents’ batting average of .199 and just two home runs allowed. Smeltzer was the Twins Minor League Pitcher of the Week for the week ending April 14 (2-0 with 14.0 shutout innings for the Blue Wahoos).
The Voorhees, New Jersey native was acquired by the Twins at the 2018 trade deadline from the Los Angeles Dodgers (along with outfielder Luke Raley), in exchange for second basemanBrian Dozier. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound lefty was drafted by the Dodgers in the fifth round of the 2016 First-Year Player Draft out of San Jacinto College and has appeared in 79 career minor league games (48 starts), going 15-16 with a 3.86 ERA (303.1 IP, 130 ER), 67 walks and 302 strikeouts.
Smeltzer is scheduled to make his major league debut in a start tonight vs. the Brewers and will wear uniform number 31.
The Twins 40-man roster is now at 40.