MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins have declined as expected their $6 million contract option for 2013 on right-handed reliever Matt Capps, making him a free agent.
The Twins said Wednesday they told Capps they’ll pay him a $250,000 buyout instead of bringing him back. Capps had 45 saves over 212 seasons in Minnesota but pitched only four innings after June 15 this year due to shoulder trouble.
The Twins also removed seven players from their 40-man roster: right-handers Jeff Manship, Luis Perdomo, Esmerling Vasquez, Kyle Waldrop and P.J. Walters and outfielder Matt Carson. Right-hander Carlos Gutierrez was claimed on waivers by the Chicago Cubs. The Twins reinstated right-handers Scott Baker, Cole De Vries and Carl Pavano from the disabled list, which counts them against the 40-man roster, leaving five open spots.
