Rauch, Mahay added to bullpen

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune

Last update: August 29, 2009 - 12:56 AM

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The overhaul of the Twins pitching staff continued on Friday as the Twins dealt for righthander Jon Rauch and reached agreement with lefthander Ron Mahay.

Rauch, 31, joins the Twins from Arizona, where he was 2-2 with a 4.14 ERA in 58 games. He's appeared in 339 games in his career (11 starts), going 26-25 with a 3.87 ERA and 26 saves.

He shook off a terrible start this season to post a 1.82 ERA in 35 appearances before giving up three runs Tuesday. Rauch likely will handle seventh-inning duties as Matt Guerrier and Jose Mijares handle most of the eighth-inning work.

The Twins have been searching for bullpen help for more than a year and might have found it in Rauch, who broke into the majors with the White Sox in 2002 and, at 6-11, is the tallest player in the majors.

"It's definitely a good opportunity, getting back to a team that's in the playoff race after things didn't go so well in Arizona this year,'' Rauch said. "A fresh beginning and a new start with another organization.''

In order to make room for Rauch, righthander Philip Humber was sent to Class AAA Rochester.

Rauch is making $2 million this season, so it will cost the Twins a little more than $350,000 for the rest of the season. But his 2010 option of $2.9 million already had been picked up by Arizona, so the Twins are banking on Rauch being part of their bullpen next season as well.

The signing of Mahay, 38, is expected to be announced today. Mahay was 1-1 with a 4.79 ERA in 41 games for Kansas City before he was designated for assignment last week -- after he gave up a run on three hits in one-third of an inning against the Twins.

With Brian Duensing in the starting rotation, the Twins could use a second lefthanded reliever. Mahay cleared waivers and was signed by the Twins, who will pay him the league minimum wage over the rest of the season. To make room on the roster, they sent righthander Armando Gabino back to Rochester after he struggled in his major league debut Tuesday.

Crede to disabled list

Although Joe Crede's back has improved he still was placed on the 15-day disabled list after the game. He'll need two to three days more, so the Twins called up catcher Jose Morales from Class AAA Rochester so they won't be shorthanded.

Crede still will receive a second epidural, but the Twins hope he will be able to play in a few days.

Not done?

ESPN Chicago reported on Friday that the Twins were awarded the claim on Cubs righthander Rich Harden.

According to the report, the Twins have until noon Monday to agree to a deal. The Cubs could pull the player off waivers or just let the Twins have him. But it's highly unlikely the Cubs will let go of Harden, who's 8-7 with a 3.99 ERA, for nothing because Harden will be a Type-A free agent after the season. The team that loses him gets two draft picks as compensation.

The Twins are believed to have placed a claim on Boston righthander Brad Penny, who is on release waivers. It should be known Monday which team will be awarded the two-time All-Star.

Etc.

• Lefthander Glen Perkins, who's on the 15-day disabled list because of a sore shoulder, is scheduled to pitch an inning today in Fort Myers. Fla., where he's been rehabilitating.

• Cleveland acquired Rochester righthander Yohan Pino as the player to be named later in the trade for Carl Pavano.

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