FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Twins placed right-handed reliever J.T. Chargois on outright waivers and he was claimed by the Dodgers on Friday, Minnesota announced.
The transaction opens a 40-man roster spot for the Twins, who continue to monitor the free-agent market, although a move isn't expected on Friday. They've been linked to right-hander Lance Lynn in recent days, although adding another starting pitcher remains unlikely unless the price comes down. But they could look to add a right-handed bat and veteran Mike Napoli remains available.
Chargois, 27, was ranked as the club's No. 24 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, but he has been injury prone, making just two appearances last season because of elbow issues. He also missed all of the 2013 and '14 seasons with elbow issues that resulted in Tommy John surgery.
But Chargois has impressive stuff with a fastball that can reach 100 mph to go along with a slider that can generate swings and misses. He reached the Majors in '16, posting a 4.70 ERA with 17 strikeouts, 12 walks and no homers allowed in 23 innings.
"He's a talented kid," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "But not a lot of innings over the last five years for a lot of reasons. We feel like he can help a team, but we needed to do something with the roster. And the Dodgers got him [late in the waivers process], so we almost got him through there."
Chargois, a second-round Draft pick in 2012 out of Rice University, has a career 1.91 ERA with 132 strikeouts in 113 1/3 innings in the Minors.