MLB Player News

Nelson was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Monday.

Nelson hasn't looked good in 10 relief appearances this season, struggling to a 9.31 ERA and an 8:8 K:BB. He'll try to get back on track in the minors, with Logan Allen joining the big-league roster in a corresponding move.

The Twins promoted Winder from Double-A Wichita to Triple-A St. Paul on Monday.

Winder, a 2018 seventh-round pick, earned the call to the minors' highest level after compiling a 1.98 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 65:10 K:BB in 54.2 innings. The right-hander is an older prospect -- he'll turn 25 in October -- so service-time considerations may not come into play if the Twins feel he's ready to contribute to the big-league rotation later in 2021. Before a promotion to Minnesota is entertained, Winder will first need to continue to perform at a high level in his initial outings with St. Paul.

Nelson has a 9.31 ERA and a 1.86 WHIP through his first 10 appearances this season.

While those are daunting numbers, the southpaw has actually kept runs off the board in eight of his outings. Nelson's ratios have been warped by the two times he's allowed five runs. A 7.4 BB/9 is still too high to be considered effective, but considering he's pitched to a 4.58 FIP, the reliever should be in line for a statistical correction over time. He allowed just one walk and struck out one over 1.1 innings in Sunday's 8-2 loss to Minnesota.

Payamps (back) struck out one over a perfect ninth inning in Saturday's 12-4 win over the Orioles.

Manager Charlie Montoyo said Friday that Payamps had been managing a back injury of late, but the reliever's availability for Saturday's contest implies the issue isn't a major concern. Since being called up from Triple-A Buffalo on April 15, Payamps has compiled a 3.12 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 18:10 K:BB in 26 innings over 20 appearances.

The Twins sent Smeltzer (elbow) to their rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate Monday to begin a rehab assignment.

Smeltzer has been on the injured list since May 12 with left elbow inflammation. Due to his long-term absence, Smeltzer will likely be in store for an extended rehab assignment across multiple minor-league affiliates before the Twins activated him from the IL.

Hentges (1-2) allowed six runs on six hits and four walks while striking out a batter over 3.1 innings as he took the loss against the Twins on Sunday.

Hentges had some difficulty locating the strike zone Sunday, as he threw just 38 of his 72 pitches for strikes. His four walks are tied for the most in an outing this season. The 24-year-old did not pitch a clean inning after giving up a run in the first, two in the second, one in the third and two more in the fourth. Hentges hadn't given up a home run since May 17 but surrendered a two-run blast off the bat of Andrelton Simmons in the second and a solo shot to Josh Donaldson in the third. He now owns a 7.32 ERA, 1.99 WHIP and 38:20 K:BB over 35.2 innings. His spot in the rotation should still be safe for now with Cleveland dealing with injuries to their top three arms but lines up for a daunting matchup against the red-hot Astros this week.

Hendricks recorded the final two outs to earn a save over the White Sox in Sunday's Game 2 victory. He struck out one batter.

Hendricks was tagged with a loss in the first game but bounced back immediately to pick up a save in the second contest. He's now 20-for-23 in save chances with a 2.18 ERA through 32 innings this season. He's converted 16 of his last 17 chances and owns a 1.19 ERA since the start of May.

Iglesias struck out two batters over 1.1 perfect innings and earned a save over the Rays on Sunday.

After giving up a run in four straight appearances, Iglesias has fanned seven batters over 3.1 perfect frames in his last two games. He needed just 18 pitches to finish off Sunday's contest and pick up his 13th save in 16 chances this season. The 31-year-old righty owns a 3.86 ERA and a 50:7 K:BB.

Yarbrough allowed two runs on six hits and a walk over six innings in Sunday's loss to the Angels. He struck out four and did not factor in the decision.

Yarbrough coughed up RBI base hits in the fourth and sixth innings, including an RBI double by Shohei Ohtani. Despite not getting a win, it was his first quality start in his last three outings after giving up five runs in each of his previous two. He lowered his ERA to 4.48 through 86.1 innings. Yarbrough is lined up to face the Blue Jays on the road next weekend.

Lambert was returned to Triple-A Charlotte following Sunday's doubleheader against the Mariners.

Lambert served as the 27th man in Sunday's twin bill, and he made a relief appearance in the nightcap. He allowed four runs on four hits and two walks while striking out two in 1.1 innings, and he'll now head back to the minors following his lackluster outing.