Twins demote Tyler Duffey, Alan Busenitz; Reds claim Kennys Vargas

The Twins pitching staff is closer to coming together.

Righthanders Tyler Duffey (pictured) and Alan Busenitz were optioned to Class AAA Rochester on Thursday, bringing the number of healthy pitchers to 13. It's actually 17 if you count Michael Kohn, Michael Pineda and Trevor May, who have long term injuries -- and Ervin Santana will miss the first few weeks of the season.

That means Tyler Kinley, a Rule 5 pick, is one step closer to making the team. Lefthander Gabriel Moya is making a strong bid to make the club as a third lefthander. And righthander Phil Hughes, who has lacked sharpness in camp, remains on the bubble.

Hughes got passing grades against the Yankees on Thursday, going 4.2 innings and giving up one run, four hits and striking out four.

Also, first baseman Kennys Vargas, who had been designated for assignment, was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Reds.

So it looks like this, at the moment:

Starters

Relievers

Fernando Rodney
Addison Reed
Zach Duke
Trevor Hildenberger
Taylor Rogers
Ryan Pressly

Tyler Kinley?
Gabriel Moya?
Hughes?

Hughes is listed in both groups until the Twins decide on a four-man or five-man roster (should be four). And maybe they will make a decision on Hughes today. If they decide that Hughes is not fit for either role, they have to figure out what to do with a guy who's making a whole lot of money this year.

Kinley, with the big arm, and Moya, with Eddie Guardado like cockiness, have given the Twins a lot to think about in camp.

The Yankees are in town, and the most intersting member of their traveling party is Alex Rodriguez. A-Rod actually is with the ESPN2 brodcast team today. New York played last night, and NONE of its regulars is on the trip. Unless you count Jacoby Ellsbury, and I don't.

See for yourself:

Yankees

Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Ronald Torreyes, SS
Tyler Wade, 2B
Brandon Drury, 3B
Tyler Austin, 1B
Austin Romine, C
Billy McKinney, LF
Shane Robinson, RF
Jace Peterson, DH

Jordan Montgomery, LHP

Ehire Adrianza, SS
Erick Aybar, 2B
Eduardo Escobar, 3B
Robbie Grossman, DH
Logan Morrison, 1B
Mitch Garver, C
Jake Cave, RF
Ryan LaMarre, LF
Zack Granite, CF