During this time of year, across the majors, teams are bringing in various veteran players to solidify certain needs at the plate or on the mound.
However, when teams make those moves, they have to cut ties with one or two players, who are now forced to find their next opportunity in a hurry. That was the case for former Detroit Tigers southpaw Joey Wentz.
Wentz has spent parts of the 2024 and 2025 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates. However, the Pirates designated the ex-Tigers hurler for assignment last weekend. With Wentz getting DFA’d, it means any team had a chance to claim him off waivers since he didn’t have any minor league options.
And wouldn’t you know, one of the Tigers’ divisional rivals put in a claim for Wentz, which means Detroit could be seeing the veteran soon.
Ex-Tigers Pitcher Joey Wentz Joins Minnesota Twins
On Wednesday, the Minnesota Twins announced that they claimed Wentz off waivers. To make room for him on their 40-man roster, the Twins moved starting pitcher Pablo Lopez to the 60-day injured list.
We have made the following roster move: pic.twitter.com/EdMKpKzuZY
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) June 11, 2025
Coincidentally, the Tigers placed Wentz on waivers last August, which led to him getting picked up by the Pirates at the beginning of September.
This season with the Pirates, the 27-year-old reliever had a 2-1 record and 4.15 ERA across 19 appearances out of the bullpen. Opponents also hit .245 at the plate against the southpaw, which is a notable difference from his eight appearances late last season (.143/1.50 ERA).
Wentz’s strikeout percentage was at a career-low 19.1 this season, while his hard-hit rate went up to 48.1 (highest in his career).
The ex-Tiger will hope to get back on track with the Twins as he makes his shocking return to the AL Central.
Wentz spent three years in the Motor City, which began as a starter, but he was eventually moved to the bullpen. Overall, the veteran pitcher had a 5-17 record and 5.81 ERA across 70 appearances (26 starts).
Wentz and the Twins are set to visit Detroit later this month, giving Tigers fans a chance to see the southpaw in his new threads.