Former Minnesota Twins closer Glen Perkins has retired, according to Twins general manager Thad Levine. There have been whispers about the possibility for months, but Perkins has officially decided to walk away. The southpaw has missed significant time in recent years due to shoulder issues, but he was able to make it back with the Twins down the stretch last season. Perkins, a three-time All-Star, will finish his career with a 3.88 ERA and 120 saves over 409 appearances. Levine said Perkins would be welcomed back if he is interested in a front office role at some point in the future.
The Minnesota Twins informed left-hander Glen Perkins that they will not pick up his $6.5 million option for 2018 and instead will pay him a $700,000 buyout. Perkins now becomes a free agent, although he has previously stated that he is not willing to pitch for any other team in the league. Perkins played high school ball near Minneapolis and has only pitched for the Twins in his big league career. If the Twins don't re-sign Perkins to a new contract, there's a good chance he may retire. Perkins is third all-time on the Twins with 120 career saves.
Glen Perkins Struggles In First Outing, Remains Optimistic
Minnesota Twins reliever Glen Perkins made his first MLB appearance in over a year on Thursday against the Cleveland Indians. It didn't go as planned as the veteran left-hander allowed two runs in 1/3 of an inning, throwing 19 pitches. Perkins remained upbeat after the outing, telling reporters, "I made some pitches [Thursday] that can get guys out, and I saw some swings that I had guys beat on. I had some sharp break on sliders. It'll come." Perkins is expected to be used in low-leverage situations for now as he re-acclimates himself to pitching in the big leagues. He underwent shoulder surgery in the summer of 2016 and is just now back in the majors after months of intense rehab.
The Minnesota Twins activated reliever Glen Perkins from the disabled list and sent left-hander Dietrich Enns to the DL in a corresponding move. Perkins had been on the DL for 16 months, with his last MLB appearance coming in April of 2016. Perkins is expected to pitch out of the bullpen down the stretch, but not as the team's closer. Enns lands on the disabled list with a shoulder strain. The rookie left-hander was acquired from the New York Yankees at the trade deadline in the deal which sent Jaime Garcia to the Bronx. Enns has made two appearances for the Twins, posting a 6.75 ERA in four innings of work.
Minnesota Twins reliever Glen Perkins recently completed back-to-back rehab outings and is waiting for the team to give him his next assignment. In all, Perkins pitched 7 1/3 innings in his rehab appearances, striking out 10 and walking five while posting a 6.14 ERA. At this point, Perkins could refuse to make another rehab appearance due to his service time in the majors. It all depends on what he wants to do. Perkins hasn't appeared on a big league mound since April 10, 2016, and had major shoulder surgery in June of that same year. It appears likely we will see him return to the Twins at some point this season but exactly when is anybody's guess.
Minnesota Twins reliever Glen Perkins is still on the comeback trail. He is currently in Minnesota for his annual charity run and stopped by Target Field on Saturday. Manager Paul Molitor told reporters that Perkins is feeling as good as he has for a long time and that Perkins is anxious to get back to the big leagues. The main thing the Twins want to see from Perkins is the ability to pitch back-to-back games before they get serious about activating him. Perkins has made five rehab appearances with the Twins' lower level minor league teams and is scheduled to move up to Double-A next week. With former closer Brandon Kintzler traded to the Washington Nationals, there's a chance Perkins is reinserted as the team's closer right away when he is ready to return.
Glen Perkins Throws Scoreless Inning In Rehab Appearance
Minnesota Twins reliever Glen Perkins threw a scoreless inning for the team's Gulf Coast League Rookie team on Wednesday. Perkins allowed one hit, walked one, and notched one strikeout in the outing. Perkins is expected to make another rehab appearance for the Class A Advanced Fort Myers Miracles next. The veteran reliever has not appeared in a game since the beginning of the 2016 season following shoulder surgery. There's a chance we see him back in the majors sometime next month, provided he doesn't suffer any setbacks.
Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Glen Perkins (shoulder, biceps) could begin a rehab assignment Saturday. Perkins came out of a live batting practice session last Friday with no issues and will face hitters again Wednesday. If that goes well, he will be cleared for his first game action since April of last season. Brandon Kintzler is now the closer for the Twins, but Perkins will be a good part of the Twins bullpen for the playoff push.
Minnesota Twins reliever Glen Perkins played catch on Thursday as he continues his attempt to come back from shoulder surgery and a strained biceps. The veteran reliever threw 10-15 pitches off the mound in the session and is slated to throw live batting practice on Friday. Perkins hasn't appeared in an MLB game since April 10, 2016. Perkins, once one of the Twins' most decorated closers, is unlikely to reclaim the ninth inning role when he returns as incumbent Brandon Kintzler has done a fine job as the team's closer. Look for him to slot in as a setup man when he is finally ready to return to the big leagues.
Glen Perkins Will Throw A Bullpen Session Thursday
Minnesota Twins reliever Glen Perkins is slated to throw a bullpen session on Thursday as he works his way back from shoulder surgery in June of 2016. Perkins suffered a setback in his rehab two weeks ago after developing biceps tendinitis and was shut down for a week. This will be the first time Perkins throws off a mound since the setback, although he has been playing catch. When Perkins returns to the field is still unclear but at least him throwing bullpen sessions is a step in the right direction. Current closer Brandon Kintzler has a strong grip on the ninth inning role for now so Perkins would likely return in a setup role.
