The Minnesota Twins have claimed right-handed pitcher Connor Gillispie off waivers from the Miami Marlins, according to Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Gillispie has been assigned to the Triple-A St. Paul Saints as the Twins seek to address challenges in their rotation caused by injuries and uneven performances.

Gillispie’s Recent Performance and Career Overview

At 27 years old, Gillispie was initially acquired by the Marlins on waivers from the Atlanta Braves during the offseason after signing a major league contract. He earned a place in Miami’s starting rotation thanks to a strong spring training. Gillispie made six starts this season; his first three were solid with a 3.86 ERA over 14 innings, but he struggled greatly afterward, allowing 19 runs in his next 12 innings. This slump led the Marlins to option him to Triple-A Jacksonville, and he has not appeared in the majors since. Overall, he holds an 8.65 ERA in 26 major league innings pitched this year.

In the minors, Gillispie has shown more consistency, with 33⅔ innings pitched and a 4.28 ERA. However, his strikeout rate is 15.7%, significantly below the league average, while his walk rate stands at a higher 11.4%. His fastball velocity has also dipped slightly, averaging 90.9 mph this year compared to 91.5 mph during the previous season with Cleveland’s Triple-A affiliate.

Background: Gillispie’s Time with Cleveland and Major League Debut

Gillispie’s 2024 campaign in the Cleveland Guardians’ system was relatively strong, as he pitched 113⅓ innings with a 4.05 ERA, a strikeout rate of 25%, and a walk rate of 10.1%. He earned a brief call-up to the Guardians’ major league team, where he logged eight innings in relief, conceding two runs with an 8-to-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Currently, Gillispie is in the second year of his three minor league option years, which allows the Twins the flexibility to utilize him either as a long reliever or a spot starter.

Pressure on Twins’ Rotation Spurs Acquisition

The Twins have faced significant rotation difficulties this season, including injuries to key starters Pablo Lopez and Zebby Matthews. Once among the league’s leaders in pitching metrics, the team has been forced into frequent bullpen usage and recent appearances by waiver claim Joey Wentz and utilityman Jonah Bride in mop-up roles. Minnesota’s recent form has deteriorated, with nine losses in their last ten games, dropping the team below a .500 winning percentage and causing a substantial fall in the American League playoff standings.

Implications for the Twins’ Pitching Depth

Adding Gillispie provides the Twins with additional depth amid their ongoing pitching troubles. Whether he finds a role at the back end of the rotation or as an extended reliever, his presence should help ease the workload on an overtaxed bullpen. The move reflects the Twins’ efforts to stabilize their pitching staff and improve their chances of reclaiming a competitive position in the playoff race as the season continues.