The Minnesota Twins announced after last night’s 13 inning 4-3 loss to the Tampa Rays that they have placed left-handed pitcher Caleb Thielbar on the bereavement list to attend the funeral of his grandmother.
The Twins recalled right-handed pitcher Michael Tonkin from Triple-A Rochester to replace Thielbar on the 25-man roster. The 6’7″ Tonkin is 23 years-old and was selected by the Twins in round 30 of the 2008 June amateur draft out of Palmdale High School in California and signed for an over slot $230,000 bonus. In his sixth season of pro ball, Tonkin has made stops at all the minor league levels and has a career 17-17 record with a 3.09 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP in 340.2 innings. Tonkin has a 9.1 SO/9 and a 2.4 BB/9. Tonkin became a full-time reliever in 2011 in Beloit and has not started any games since. Tonkin started 2013 in New Britain but was moved up to Rochester after 13 appearances.
Tonkin, who wears number 59 made his major league debut in Tropicana Field today a good one when he appeared in relief and pitched 1 and 1/3 scoreless innings with one strikeout (Evan Longoria) and no hits allowed. Tonkin threw just 12 pitches, 8 for strikes, unfortunately for Tonkin and the Twins, they lost their fifth straight game. Tonkin is the 37th player and 19th pitcher that the Twins have used this season.