MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins have acquired left-hander Kris Johnson from the Pittsburgh Pirates for right-hander Duke Welker in a swap of minor league pitchers.
Johnson went 0-2 with a 6.10 ERA in four appearances with the Pirates last season. He made one start for the Pirates and went 10-4 with a 2.39 ERA in 21 starts for Triple-A Indianapolis last year. He is a former first-round draft choice of the Boston Red Sox.
Welker never played for the Twins. On Oct. 5, he was the player to be named later to complete the trade that sent Justin Morneau from Minnesota to Pittsburgh. Welker went 3-4 with a 3.57 ERA and nine saves in 48 appearances for Indianapolis last season.
