Twins outright Pino, Bernier, trim roster to 37

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins outrighted right-hander Yohan Pino and infielder Doug Bernier off the 40-man roster, the club announced Monday. Both are expected to be free agents, but Minnesota could bring one or both back on a Minor League deal later this offseason.

Pino, 30, made 11 starts with the Twins in 2014, posting a 5.07 ERA with 50 strikeouts, 14 walks and eight homers allowed in 60 1/3 innings. He fared much better at Triple-A Rochester, as the soft-tossing righty went 10-2 with a 2.47 ERA in 73 innings. He made his Major League debut on June 19, but saw his season end in late August after suffering a minor strain of his ulnar collateral ligament.

Bernier, 34, played in seven games as a September callup for the Twins, hitting .286 (2-for-7), while seeing action at shortstop and second base. He hit .280/.348/.396 with six homers, 25 doubles, two triples and five stolen bases in 124 games at Triple-A. He saw time at shortstop, second base, third base, first base, left field and right field for Rochester.

With the roster moves, Minnesota currently has 37 players on its 40-man roster. The Twins are expected to outright a few more players to make room for Minor Leaguers such as top prospects Miguel Sano and Alex Meyer, who need to be added to the 40-man roster or risk being exposed to December's Rule 5 Draft.