Minnesota Twins Outright Two Players, But With Invites To Spring Training

He was looking like a nice piece as part of the Minnesota Twins outfield picture last season, as a RH-bat mashing lefties and batting in the .270s with an OPS in the mid-.800s through July. But his season was also pockmarked with a rash of injuries, and Kyle Garlick was eventually DFA'd last week. 

Kyle Garlick and Oliver Ortega have cleared waivers and were outrighted to @StPaulSaints. Both players will receive an invite to major league Spring Training. #MNTwins

— Dustin Morse (@morsecode) January 17, 2023

Garlick was the odd man out when Carlos Correa came crawling back to the Twin Cities to take their 6-year, $200M offer. But Garlick cleared waivers and now has been outrighted to their Triple-A affiliate, and he'll receive an invite to spring training. 

Garlick, 31, has a career .839 OPS against southpaws, so he could still fill a role on the Twins' roster if he makes the team out of spring. 

Right-hander Oliver Ortega has also been outrighted to St. Paul in AAA after clearing waivers. He was claimed off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels back on January 6th, but was DFA's a week ago to make room for AJ Alexy. 

Ortega will also receive an invite to big league camp at spring training. He had a 3.71 ERA for the Angels in 34 innings last season, his 2nd year in the big leagues.

Photo: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports