Minnesota Twins Claim Starting Pitcher Off Waivers

The Minnesota Twins have added to their pitching staff by claiming left-hander Cole Irvin off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles. 

Irvin, 30, has been utilized as both a starter and reliever this season, posting a 6-5 record with a 4.86 ERA across 107.1 innings in 25 appearances, 16 of them starts. 

Irvin's experience will be a valuable asset as the Twins navigate through a rotation hit by injuries, relying on rookies like Simeon Woods Richardson, David Festa, and Zebby Matthews behind veterans Pablo López and Bailey Ober. 

While Irvin won't be eligible for the postseason roster due to the timing of the waiver claim, his ability to pitch multiple innings provides much-needed flexibility for the remainder of the regular season.

Left-hander Cole Irvin, who was DFA'd last week, has been claimed off waivers by the Minnesota Twins.

Irvin put in a lot of time for the Baltimore community, especially BARCS. He arrived in a trade ahead of the 2023 season and was inconsistent on the field, with a 4.68 ERA

— Andy Kostka (@afkostka) September 16, 2024

Irvin’s MLB career spans six seasons, having pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies, Oakland Athletics, and Baltimore Orioles. 

With a career 4.49 ERA in 130 major league games (93 starts), Irvin offers affordable depth for Minnesota, as he remains under team control for two more years via arbitration. 

Despite some inconsistencies this season, particularly at the start, Irvin's recent performances have shown improvement, making him an appealing option for the Twins as they look to solidify their pitching staff for the final weeks of the season.

Cole Irvin’s baseball savant page. Not great but will be able to eat innings for the Twins. He can not be added to the postseason roster per @dohyoungpark #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/CxeLCjbmn2

— Twins Talk (@LetsTalk_Twins) September 16, 2024

To make room for Irvin on the 40-man roster, the Twins designated right-hander Randy Dobnak for assignment. 

Dobnak, a former indie-ball standout who once played a key role in Minnesota’s rotation, struggled with a 5.87 ERA in four appearances this season after returning to the majors for the first time since 2021. 

Injuries and inconsistent performances have limited Dobnak's effectiveness since signing a five-year, $9.25 million contract in 2021. He is expected to clear waivers due to his remaining salary, potentially remaining with the organization in Triple-A.

Photo Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images