FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Twins continue to add depth to their bullpen mix. The latest pickup is veteran left-hander Andrew Chafin, who signed a Minor League contract with a non-roster invitation to Spring Training, the team announced on Saturday.
Chafin, 35, split last year between the Nationals and Angels, posting a 2.41 ERA in 33 2/3 innings pitched. He struck out 36 against 19 walks and held left-handed hitters to a .136 batting average.
Over a 12-year big league career, Chafin has a 3.35 ERA and 20 saves in 643 games. He has appeared for eight Major League teams but spent the bulk of his career with Arizona, where he pitched from 2014-2020 and again in 2023.
Chafin is the third left-handed addition to the Minnesota bullpen in the past month, joining Taylor Rogers, who signed as a free agent in January, and Anthony Banda, acquired in a trade with the Dodgers earlier this week. The Twins also have Kody Funderburk, who pitched very well down the stretch but now might face a numbers crunch to make the team.
“Another left-hander that's pitched in meaningful innings, and another veteran,” manager Derek Shelton said. “So, you know, we'll kind of see where we are. Like we've talked about, we're trying to build a bullpen, and I think as many arms as we can put into that mix is important for us.”
Banda arrives
Banda made his arrival in camp on Saturday after a hectic several days. He was designated for assignment by the Dodgers on Friday, Feb. 6, and traded to the Twins six days later. Banda went from preparing to begin camp in Arizona to flying across the country and beginning work with a new team in Fort Myers.
“It’s a process that I’ve gone through before,” he said. “I understand the logistics of it. It was a little bit of, I guess a blindside, I wasn’t expecting that. But going into it and then finding an opportunity elsewhere, it’s been great. It’s been a whirlwind of a day, or a week really. but those guys were amazing. They helped me grow as a player. They do amazing things over there and I have nothing but great things about what they do as an organization and individually as a person.”
Right-hander Jackson Kowar, who was designated for assignment when the Twins acquired Banda, was traded to the Orioles for cash, the club announced on Saturday.
Twins honor Iowa Lakes
The Twins lit Target Field on Friday night to honor the Iowa Lakes Community College baseball team. The team’s bus crashed on a highway on Wednesday, killing outfielder Carter Johnson and injuring dozens of others.
Twins tidbits
• Right-hander Cory Lewis is currently shut down from throwing due to a moderate subscapularis strain in his right shoulder.
• Cody Laweryson, who made his Major League debut with the Twins last season, is back with the organization. He signed a Minor League deal with an NRI after being released by the Angels.
• Byron Buxton, Royce Lewis, and Trevor Larnach were among the arrivals in camp on Friday, two days before full squad workouts begin.