The Minnesota Twins announced today that they have signed right-handed pitcher Matt Belisle to a Major League contract. To make room on the 25-man roster, the Twins have designated utility infielder Gregorio Petit for release or assignment.
Belisle began the 2018 season with Cleveland, appearing in eight games posting a 5.06 ERA (10.2 IP, 6 ER) before being outrighted May 6. Since his outright he appeared in nine games for Triple-A Columbus where he posted a 4.22 ERA (10.2 IP, 5 ER) with one walk and 11 strikeouts. The 38-year-old spent 2017 with the Twins, appearing in 62 games, converting nine saves and posting a 4.03 ERA (60.1 IP, 27 ER) with 22 walks and 54 strikeouts. The Austin, Texas native has a career record of 51-57 with a 4.20 ERA (905.0 IP, 422 ER), 228 walks and 690 strikeouts in 668 games (44 starts) with Cincinnati, Colorado, St. Louis, Washington, Minnesota and Cleveland.
Petit played in 12 games for the Twins in 2018, hitting .308 (8-for-26) with two RBI. The 33-year-old has played in parts of six Major League seasons for Oakland, Houston, New York-AL and Los Angeles-AL, hitting .253 (107-for-423) with 27 doubles, four home runs, 34 RBIs and 52 runs scored in 183 career games.