Kevin Chapman, a left-handed relief specialist with 58 games of major-league experience, has been acquired by the Twins from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for utility player Danny Santana, the team announced Monday night.
Chapman, 29, owns a career 4.09 ERA in parts of four seasons with the Astros, including a strong rookie season in 2013 when he posted a 1.77 ERA in 25 appearances. Atlanta claimed the Florida native off waivers in March, but sent him to Class AAA at the end of spring training. Chapman, a fourth round pick of the Royals in 2010 who has been plagued by control problems, was off to a subpar start to the 2017 season at Gwinnett this year, allowing 10 runs in 11 2.3 innings.
Chapman has held left-handers to a .263 average over his major-league career, compared to .250 against righthanders, but has never allowed a home run to a lefthander. He will be assigned to Class AAA Rochester.
The Twins designated Santana, 26, for assignment on Friday, after he went 5-for-25 (.200) over the first month of the season. The Twins also have yet to make a move with righthander reliever Michael Tonkin, who was designated for assignment on Saturday.
