Twins Acquire RHP Kevin Jepsen from Rays
Twins Send Two Minor League Pitchers to Rays
Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN - The Minnesota Twins announced today that they have acquired right handed reliever Kevin Jepsen from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for minor league pitchers Chih-Wei Hu and Alexis Tapia.
Jepsen, 31, appeared in 46 games for the Rays this season, posting a 2.81 ERA (41.2 IP, 13 ER) with 20 walks, 34 strikeouts and an opponent average of .227 (34-for-150). The 6-foot-3 right-hander has a career record of 15-23 with 10 saves, a 3.80 ERA (322.1 IP, 136 ER), 130 walks and 305 strikeouts in parts of eight seasons with Los Angeles-AL (2008-14) and Tampa Bay (2015).
Hu, 21, was signed by the Twins as an undrafted free agent in 2012 from Taichung, Taiwan. The right-handed pitcher spent the 2015 season between Single-A Ft. Myers and Triple-A Rochester, combining to go 6-3 with a 2.38 ERA (90.2 IP, 24 ER), 23 walks and 79 strikeouts in 16 starts.
Tapia, 19, was signed by the Twins as an undrafted free agent in 2012 from Valencia, Venezuela. The right-handed pitcher spent the 2015 season between Ft. Myers and Rookie Level Elizabethton, combining to make eight appearances (six starts).
The Twins will make corresponding roster moves prior to tomorrow night's game with Seattle.