JORDAN BALAZOVIC NEWS

Signs minor-league deal with Tigers Balazovic signed a minor-league deal with the Tigers on Sunday, Aram Leighton of Just Baseball Media reports.

Impact Balazovic will return to the United States after spending the end of the 2024 season as a member of Doosan Bears in the KBO. With the Bears, the right-hander produced a 4.26 ERA and 1.44 WHIP with 69 strikeouts over 57.0 innings. He will now get a shot to prove himself with Detroit and attempt to crack their 40-man roster.

DECEMBER 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Signs with KBO team Balazovic has signed with the Doosan Bears of the KBO, Jee-ho Yoo of the Yonhap News Agency reports.

Impact Once of the Twins' more promising starting pitching prospects, Balazovic made the full-time move to the bullpen in 2023. He reached the majors briefly last season posting a 4.44 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 17:12 K:BB in 24.1 innings. He then struggled this season at Triple-A St. Paul with a 5.60 ERA despite a 49:15 K:BB. At age 25, it wouldn't be surprising to see him return to MLB if he has success for a season or two in South Korea.

JULY 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Off the 40-man, former top Twins prospect Jordan Balazovic strives for consistency Balazovic, who returned to the Twins after they designated him for assignment on Feb. 7, struggled transitioning to a relief role in 2023.

FEBRUARY 20, 2024 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Twins invite 19 non-roster players to camp, including prospect Brooks Lee Daniel Duarte and Jordan Balazovic cleared waivers and will report to Fort Myers on Wednesday.

FEBRUARY 13, 2024 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Jettisoned from 40-man roster Balazovic was designated for assignment by the Twins on Wednesday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Impact He's departing the 40-man roster in favor of Zack Weiss, who was claimed off waivers. Balazovic was once one of the Twins' best pitching prospects, but he didn't progress as hoped as a starter and his control has gotten worse since he was moved to relief full-time in 2023, with an 11.1 percent walk rate in the majors and 15.2 percent walk rate at Triple-A St. Paul.

FEBRUARY 7, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Optioned to Triple-A Balazovic was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday.

Impact Balazovic spent just two days on the active roster in his latest stint in the majors and did not get into a game. He'll make way for Joe Ryan, who returns from a groin injury in a corresponding move.

AUGUST 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Back in majors The Twins recalled Balazovic from Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday, John Shipley of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Impact With Oliver Ortega (back) headed to the injured list, Balazovic will come up from the minors to fill the opening in Minnesota's bullpen. The 24-year-old righty has made 18 appearances with the Twins this season, putting up a 4.44 ERA and 1.56 WHIP through 24.1 innings, and he will likely serve in middle relief while in the majors.

AUGUST 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Optioned to Triple-A Balazovic was optioned to Triple-A Rochester, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Impact Balazovic gave up three runs with three walks in an inning in Saturday's loss. He's struggled with an 8.71 ERA and 7:8 K:BB ratio in 10.1 innings over his last seven appearances. He could return in September, however, when rosters expand as the Twins have had turnover in the bullpen.

AUGUST 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Struggles in loss Balazovic allowed four runs on six hits and one walk while striking out one over two innings in Wednesday's 9-5 loss to the Tigers.

Impact Balazovic had become a productive middle reliever for the Twins since his callup in June, but he's struggled recently by allowing four earned runs in his last six innings over three appearances. He has just a 3:3 K:BB ratio over that span. Overall, he has a 3.80 ERA and two holds, but a 5.9 K/9 is below his minor league strikeout rates (12.8 K/9 at Triple-A this season) which is a worry.

AUGUST 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Will be used in true relief role Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said Tuesday that Balazovic will be used in a true relief role moving forward, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Impact Balazovic came up through the minors mostly as a starter and he went 3.2 innings in his major-league debut last month. His outings have been shorter since then, though, and that is the role the Twins envision for him moving forward, with high-leverage usage possible. "We've always known he's had this type of ability. ... He's throwing the ball like a good Major League reliever right now," Baldelli said.

JULY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Prospect Balazovic strong in long-awaited debut MINNEAPOLIS -- Jordan Balazovic, after parts of seven Minor League seasons, was on the precipice of finally making his MLB debut for the Min...

JUNE 19, 2023 • MLB.COM

Called up by Minnesota Balazovic was called up from Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday.

Impact The 24-year-old will take the roster spot of Jorge Lopez, who was placed on the restricted list. Balazovic has shifted to a bullpen role at St. Paul this season and has a 4.79 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 50:21 K:BB across 35.2 innings.

JUNE 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Moves to bullpen at Triple-A Balazovic has a 2.35 ERA with an 11:5 K:BB in 7.2 innings at Triple-A Rochester. He's made all five appearances out of the bullpen.

Impact Balazovic was formerly a top starting pitching prospect but took a large step back in 2022 with a 7.39 ERA at Triple-A with a 4.5 BB/9. It looks like he's permanently moving to the bullpen, which will limit his fantasy upside. However, he could still reach the majors due to his deceptive fastball.

MAY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Twins notes: Nick Gordon out with high ankle sprain, Jordan Balazovic optioned and more Plus updated payroll figures and how the Twins' spending compares to the rest of the AL Central.

MARCH 5, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Optioned to Triple-A level The Twins optioned Balazovic (jaw) to Triple-A St. Paul on Friday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Impact It's the first cut out of Twins camp, and it comes after Balazovic suffered a broken jaw during an altercation at a Fort Myers bar Feb. 11. The 24-year-old former top prospect struggled to a 7.39 ERA over 70.2 innings at the Triple-A level in 2022, and he had yet to appear in any Grapefruit League games this spring.

MARCH 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Twins prospect Jordan Balazovic on punch that broke jaw: 'I didn't see it coming' Coming off a terrible 2022 season, this was already shaping up to be a crucial spring for the former top-100 prospect.

MARCH 1, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

To throw off mound this week Balazovic (jaw) plans to throw a bullpen session before the end of this week, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Impact Balazovic suffered a broken jaw when he was involved in an altercation at a bar earlier this month. He does not think the setback will affect his availability for Opening Day. Balazovic really struggled in the minors in 2022 but is still viewed as one of the Twins' better pitching prospects and could push to debut in 2023 if he can bounce back.

FEBRUARY 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Altercation results in broken jaw for Twins pitching prospect Jordan Balazovic Derek Falvey announced Saturday that Balazovic is out after he sustained a broken jaw in "an altercation away from the field."

FEBRUARY 19, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Pitching prospect Balazovic out with broken jaw FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Twins pitching prospect Jordan Balazovic will be delayed in his buildup for the 2023 season after sustaining a broken ja...

FEBRUARY 18, 2023 • MLB.COM

Suffers broken jaw Balazovic broke his jaw in an off-site altercation last Saturday and underwent surgery, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Impact The nature of the altercation is unclear. Neither is Balazovic's timeline as far as his return to game action, though he's expected to be able to play catch within 10 days.

FEBRUARY 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Twins righthander Jordan Balazovic has broken jaw following 'altercation' It's the latest setback for a top prospect whose career has been tripped up over the past three years.

FEBRUARY 18, 2023 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Twins pitching prospect Jordan Balazovic gets lit up in 10-0 loss for St. Paul Saints against Omaha Jordan Balazovic gave up seven earned runs for the St. Paul Saints, including three home runs, before the end of the first inning.

JULY 1, 2022 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Active for Triple-A St. Paul Balazovic (knee) was activated off the 7-day injured list for Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday, Brandon Warne of Access Twins reports.

Impact Balazovic missed the start of the year with a strained left knee. He made a single two-inning rehab start for Single-A Fort Myers on Sunday and wasn't particularly good, giving up four runs, but he'll nonetheless head to the Triple-A level to continue building up his workload.

MAY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Begins rehab stint Balazovic (knee) gave up four runs over two innings Sunday for Single-A Fort Myers in a rehab start.

Impact Balazovic is on the IL at Triple-A with a left knee strain. It's not clear how many rehab outings he'll need before joining Triple-A, but at least this this shows his knee issue isn't a long-term injury.

MAY 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Begins Triple-A season on IL Balazovic will begin the season the 7-day IL at Triple-A St. Paul with a left knee strain, Brandon Warne of Access Twins reports.

Impact It's not clear how long Balazovic will be out. He suffered a back injury in spring training last year that delayed the start to his 2021 season to June. He then had a solid season at Double-A with a 3.62 ERA and 9.46 K/9 and 3.53 BB/9 in 20 starts. If he can stay healthy, Balazovic has a chance to join the Minnesota rotation early in the season.

APRIL 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE