Keppel in, Ayala out of Twins bullpen

Just as they did in May, the Twins again will give a minor leaguer a shot to bolster their beleaguered bullpen while jettisoning a veteran reliever.

By JOE CHRISTENSEN, Star Tribune

Last update: June 23, 2009 - 7:22 AM

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Like Sean Henn last month, Bobby Keppel isn't expected to step in and change the Twins bullpen back into the dominating force it was in 2006.

But the Twins had seen enough of Luis Ayala, just as they had seen enough of Craig Breslow last month, so they made another change Monday, promoting Keppel from Class AAA Rochester and designating fellow righthander Ayala for assignment.

So far, the move to flip-flop lefthanders last month hasn't panned out. Henn had a 1.13 ERA for Rochester but has posted a 7.36 ERA in 13 games for the Twins.

Breslow, who posted a 6.28 ERA for the Twins, had a 2.92 ERA in his first 18 games after getting claimed by Oakland.

"We don't want to give up on [Henn]," Twins General Manager Bill Smith said. "He's lefthanded, and he's got velocity. He's another one who's been inconsistent, but he's got upside. We felt that Keppel was a good fit for us right now, and unfortunately it cost Ayala a spot."

Like Henn, the Twins have been intrigued by Keppel's conversion from starter to reliever, noting the improvement in his stuff. Keppel's sinker has consistently been clocked in the low-90s, and he issued only 13 walks in 55 1/3 innings for Rochester this season.

Keppel, 27, was the 36th player chosen in the 2000 major league draft, signing with the New York Mets, who released him in 2005. He is 0-4 with a 6.10 ERA in 12 major league appearances -- eight with Kansas City in 2006 and four with Colorado in '07.

After starting for Class AAA Albuquerque (Marlins) last season, Keppel signed a minor league contract with the Twins with a clause that would have allowed him to become a free agent if he wasn't placed on the major league roster by July 1.

He went 3-3 with a 2.43 ERA in 23 games for Rochester, including three starts.

Ayala, 30, was 1-2 with a 4.18 ERA in 28 games for the Twins after signing a one-year, $1.3 million contract shortly before spring training.

First batters hit .346 against Ayala, and while his other numbers weren't terrible, the Twins thought he was maddeningly inconsistent with his sinker.

"The thing driving it is, we felt it was time we got Keppel up here and give him an opportunity," Smith said. "Unfortunately, Luis had some stretches that were good, and he had some inconsistent periods, and we just felt that we were better off to go in this direction."

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