The Minnesota Twins are making moves to bolster their pitching staff as they fight for a playoff spot, claiming left-handed pitcher Cole Irvin off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles. To make room for Irvin, they designated Randy Dobnak for assignment. Irvin will join the active roster before Tuesday’s game against the Cleveland Guardians, but since the claim came late in the season, he won’t be eligible for the postseason roster if the Twins make it.
Irvin has appeared in 25 games for the Orioles this season, including 16 starts, and has a 6-5 record with a 4.86 ERA and a 1.407 WHIP. While his stats aren’t impressive, the Twins are desperate for pitching help as their rotation has been hit hard by injuries. With only two weeks left in the season, they need pitchers who can log innings. Minnesota is currently relying on three rookies in their rotation, and only Simeon Woods Richardson has an ERA under 5.00.
Irvin could either be used as a starter or in a piggyback role with one of the younger arms, but he hasn’t pitched more than five innings in a game since June. As the Twins face a crucial series against the division-leading Guardians, every available arm will be vital.
Even though his 2024 numbers aren’t great, Irvin still has two years of team control, and with his $2 million salary, he remains an affordable option. The Twins will only need to pay him the remaining $151,000 for this season. With Pablo Lopez and Chris Paddack set to earn significantly more next season and Bailey Ober heading into arbitration after a career year, Irvin’s future with the team could depend on how he performs in these final games. At 30 years old, his numbers suggest he won’t command a large salary, but the Twins will use this period to evaluate whether he’s worth keeping.
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