Twins re-sign Hamburger, six others to Minors deals
Right-handed reliever posted 3.69 ERA in 70 2/3 innings in 2014
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins re-signed seven players to Minor League contracts for the 2015 season, including right-handed reliever Mark Hamburger, the club announced Friday. The Twins will announce Spring Training invites at a later date.
None of the seven players were added to the 40-man roster. The Twins currently have 36 players on the roster after selling rights to left-hander Kris Johnson to the Hiroshima Carp of Japan's Nippon Professional League. Minnesota also declined right-handed reliever Jared Burton's $3.6 million club option on Wednesday to free up another spot.
Hamburger, 27, posted a 3.69 ERA with 54 strikeouts and 27 walks in 70 2/3 innings between Double-A New Britain and Triple-A Rochester in 2014 after serving a 50-game suspension under Minor League Baseball's drug policy.
The Mounds View, Minn., native was signed after pitching for the independent St. Paul Saints in 2013. He was originally signed by the Twins before the '07 season after an open tryout with the club. He went on to make his Major League debut with the Rangers in '11.
In addition to Hamburger, the Twins also re-signed utility man Tony Thomas, outfielder Danny Ortiz, outfielder Reynaldo Rodriguez, first baseman Mike Gonzales, catcher Jairo Rodriguez and right-hander Adrian Salcedo.