The Cincinnati Reds signed free-agent catcher Austin Romine and right-hander Alan Busenitz to minor-league deals on Tuesday that include invitations to major-league spring training. Romine, an 11-year veteran, hit just .155/.187/.248 with three home runs, nine RBI and 10 runs scored in 51 games with the Los Angeles Angels, St. Louis Cardinals and Reds in 2022. The 34-year-old backstop will provide organizational depth with a career slash line of .230/.268/.348 in 484 games. Busenitz, a 32-year-old right-handed reliever hasn't appeared in the majors since 2018. In his two years with the Minnesota Twins, he had a 4.58 ERA (5.49 FIP), 1.44 WHIP and 49 strikeouts in 57 innings over 51 relief appearances. He pitched much better in Japan the last four years, but Busenitz will strictly be organizational relief depth.
Alan Busenitz Called Up, Fernando Romero Optioned To Triple-A
Minnesota Twins right-handed pitcher Alan Busenitz was called up on Sunday. Busenitz sported a sterling 1.27 ERA during his time at Triple-A Rochester to go along with a fantastic 32/5 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 28 1/3 innings. His promotion was announced in conjunction with starting pitcher Fernando Romeros demotion to Rochester. Romero has struggled on his way to a 4.38 ERA this season, but it still came as somewhat a surprise that he was sent down. The Twins have to hope that the rookie will regain some confidence down in the minors. All said, Busenitz value as a middle reliever especially in the Twins much-maligned bullpen makes him an intriguing option in mixed leagues.
The Minnesota Twins made a change to their pitching staff on Monday, calling up right-hander Tyler Duffey and optioning right-hander Alan Busenitz to Triple-A Rochester. Duffey has started games for the Twins in the past but he has been shifted to the bullpen, where he's pitched 11 innings without allowing an earned run at Triple-A in 2018. Busenitz has posted a 6.75 ERA in his four innings of work. He has been worked heavily in the Twins' road trip, appearing in four of six games. Minnesota will look to Duffey as a fresh arm out of the bullpen.
The Minnesota Twins optioned relievers Tyler Duffy and Alan Busenitz to Triple-A on Thursday. The two relievers were key parts of the Minnesota bullpen in 2017, combining to make 84 relief appearances. The Twins focused on strengthening their bullpen this offseason, which pushed Duffy and Busenitz off the big league roster. Neither player helped his case this spring as Duffy posted a 7.11 ERA in 12 2/3 innings while Busenitz turned in a 7.27 ERA in 8 2/3 innings.
Austin Romine
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