Yankees lose ‘fearless’ pitcher to AL candidate

The adventure that is Michael Tonkin’s 2024 season took place again on Tuesday, for the second time.

The New York Yankees announced that Tonkin has been claimed via waivers by the Minnesota Twins. This is Tonkin’s fifth separate appearance in the MLB this season, although Tonkin had pitched two innings in Minnesota earlier this season.

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RESTORING THE GLORY

“He’s obviously done a really good job with us,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday. “He’s filled a lot of roles for us, everything from low leverage to closing out a game to providing length. Good teammate, takes the ball. So we obviously hated to lose him. I’m happy for him that he got picked up, especially with the prospect. Minnesota got a good pitcher.”

Tonkin was designated for assignment by the Yankees after his longest stint with one team this year — from late April to late August. After reviving his season with an 0.77 ERA in 23.1 innings over 17 games to begin his Yankees stint, Tonkin allowed 19 earned runs in his next 22 games (32 2/3 innings) for a 5.23 ERA. His last outing came on August 24, when he allowed two earned runs in 1 2/3 innings against the Colorado Rockies. He had a 3.38 ERA.

“He loves the fire,” Boone said in June. “He loves the competition. … He’s got guts. He’s fearless out there and very, very competitive. He fits in that space well and I trust him to get the ball.”

Tonkin began the season with the New York Mets after signing a one-year deal in December. But New York DFA’d him after four innings (eight runs, two earned runs) in April, then traded him for cash to the Twins. The Twins DFA’d him days later … only to have him claimed by the Mets, who then released him on April 22 after three innings and two earned runs. The Yankees claimed him on April 25, and he carved out a prominent role in the bullpen until failing late in his stint. He has a season-long ERA of 3.74.

The Twins’ bullpen has a 4.40 ERA, 21st in baseball, as of July 1. At 72-59, they occupy the final AL wild-card spot.