MINNEAPOLIS -- Twins reliever Michael Tonkin turned in another rough outing in Saturday's 11-1 loss to the Red Sox, and he was designated for assignment after the game. A corresponding roster move will come before Sunday's game.
Tonkin threw 1 1/3 innings, allowing a run on a solo homer to Sandy Leon and walking three. He was lifted with one out in the ninth after issuing a walk in a 10-run game, leading to the Twins on calling on catcher Chris Gimenez to record the final two outs of the inning.
 

Tonkin, who has pitched with the Twins since 2013, has a 6.55 ERA with 13 strikeouts and 10 walks in 11 innings this year. He's posted a career 4.47 ERA with 138 strikeouts and 52 walks in 136 1/3 innings with Minnesota over the past five seasons.
"He hasn't had a chance to pitch in significant innings very often, but he's provided value along the way," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "Just encouraged him to look at this as an opportunity, even though there's a lot of frustration here in the moment. We'll see how it plays out."
Tonkin, 27, took the news hard, and he will have to pass through waivers to remain in the organization.
"I wasn't surprised," Tonkin said. "It's frustrating, but it happens, I guess."