Twins activate Ober in series of roster moves; top prospect could be called up soon

By KSTP
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Bailey Ober throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Wednesday, June 1, 2022, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

The Minnesota Twins made a series of roster moves Friday ahead of the club’s series-opener against Cleveland.

Minnesota activated starting pitcher Bailey Ober from his rehab assignment and reinstated him from the 60-day injured list. He’s expected to start Friday night’s game.

Ober was put on the injured list on June 6 due to a right groin strain. In his seven starts before the injury, he went 1-2 with a 4.01 ERA in 33.2 innings.

In a corresponding move, the Twins designated right-handed pitcher Jharel Cotton for release or assignment. Cotton was in his fifth stint with Minnesota this season, posting a 2-2 record with a 2.83 ERA over 35 innings.

The team also placed outfielder Kyle Garlick on the 10-day injured list with a left wrist sprain. He left Thursday’s game against Kansas City early with the injury, and his has .233 with nine home runs and 18 RBI this season for the Twins.

To replace Garlick on the roster, the Twins recalled outfielder Mark Contreras from Triple-A St. Paul. Contreras has hit .275 with five home runs and 16 RBI in his most recent stint with the Saints, including an .801 OPS. However, he’s hit just 3-for-25 with the Twins this season.

And, the club announced that pitcher Randy Dobnak cleared outright waivers and accepted an assignment to Triple-A St. Paul, meaning he’ll stay within the organization, just not on the 40-man roster. He’s missed the entire season with a right middle finger strain.

KSTP Sports’ Darren “Doogie” Wolfson also reports that the Twins are expected to make more roster moves in the coming days, including calling up a Minnesota native.

Forest Lake native Matt Wallner, Minnesota’s fifth-ranked prospect per MLB.com, is expected to be called up by the Twins this weekend. He’s split this season between Double-A Wichita and Triple-A St. Paul, mashing 27 home runs while driving in 95 runs between the two levels. Over his last 30 games, he’s hitting .295/.428/.571 with four home runs, 21 RBI and 23 walks.

However, the Twins haven’t yet made Wallner’s promotion official.