Worley clears waivers, outrighted to Triple-A

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Right-hander Vance Worley, who came into camp competing for the fifth spot in the rotation, cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Rochester on Friday.

Worley, who was out of Minor League options and couldn't be sent to the Minors without clearing waivers, posted a 13.50 ERA in four Grapefruit League appearances, including a rough outing against the Rays on Tuesday night, when he gave up seven runs on 11 hits, including six doubles. He was placed on waivers after his poor outing against the Rays, and cleared Friday afternoon.

His struggles have been a continuation from last year, when Worley started the year as the club's Opening Day starter, but had a 7.21 ERA in 10 starts before being optioned to Triple-A Rochester in late May.

Worley, 26, was originally acquired by the Twins before the 2013 season in a trade that sent Ben Revere to the Phillies. Worley had bone chips removed from his elbow before the '13 campaign and saw his season end in July because of a shoulder strain, but he came into camp healthy and 25 pounds lighter.

But the results haven't been there, and Worley pitched himself out of consideration for the fifth spot in the rotation.

He'll now go to Triple-A Rochester, where he'll likely be part of the rotation there, although Twins assistant general manager Rob Antony said there's still a chance he could pitch in relief. The move also opens up a roster spot for the Twins, who now have 39 players on their 40-man roster.

"He has to go down there and get some things straightened out," Antony said. "You never know when you place a player on waivers what's going to happen. Twenty-nine other clubs passed on him so he knows he has to get things straightened before he gets back to the big leagues."