FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Veteran right-hander Ryan Vogelsong, who was competing for the fifth spot in the Twins' rotation, asked for and was granted his release on Tuesday, manager Paul Molitor said. Additionally, the Twins sent relievers Jake Reed and Raul Fernandez to Minor League camp, leaving 45 players -- including 22 pitchers -- in Major League camp.
Vogelsong, 39, met with Molitor before the game Tuesday -- a 9-5 loss to the Phillies -- to discuss his status on the team, as he's made it clear he'd like to start instead of pitch in relief this season. But once it became clear that starters such as Jose Berrios, Adalberto Mejia and Tyler Duffey were ahead of him in that competition, Vogelsong asked for and was granted his release.
"We talked with Ryan this morning and it was one of those hard conversations to have," Molitor said. "I can't say enough about what he brought to the camp. I've had multiple players come in here and tell me about how guys like him and [Matt] Belisle made their camp."
The Twins are expected to have a 40-man roster spot open once right-hander Trevor May is placed on the 60-day disabled list, but the Twins are still waiting to hear back about the second opinion May got from Dr. Keith Meister.
Instead, that roster spot is expected to go to veteran lefty reliever Craig Breslow, although general manager Thad Levine said Breslow hasn't been officially added yet.
Vogelsong, a two-time World Series champion with the Giants, has a career 4.48 ERA in 289 appearances, including 179 starts in parts of 12 seasons in the Majors.
"We felt like we had a few people in front of him in terms of that rotation situation," Molitor said. "Out of respect to him, we wanted to give him time to see what else is out there with other clubs in terms of opportunities."