Twins finalize roster, name Nolasco fifth starter
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Minnesota Twins have finalized their 25-man regular season roster, making right-hander Ricky Nolasco their fifth starter.
The Twins announced Tuesday they've optioned right-hander Tyler Duffey to Triple-A Rochester with left-hander Ryan O'Rourke. Left-hander Logan Darnell and right-hander Brandon Kintzler were reassigned to minor-league camp.
Duffey, who was competing with Nolasco, went 5-1 with a 3.10 ERA in 10 starts as a rookie last year. Nolasco has a 5.64 ERA over his last two injury-affected seasons with the Twins. He'll follow Ervin Santana, Kyle Gibson, Phil Hughes and Tommy Milone in the rotation.
O'Rourke, Darnell and Kintzler were the last cuts from the bullpen. That gave right-hander Michael Tonkin and left-hander Fernando Abad the last two spots, behind Glen Perkins, Kevin Jepsen, Trevor May, Casey Fien and Ryan Pressly.
