MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota recalled right-handed reliever Alan Busenitz from Triple-A Rochester before Sunday's 2-0 win against Texas at Target Field in order to add depth to a depleted bullpen. The move was in correspondence to Saturday's announcement that rookie starter Fernando Romero had been optioned to Rochester.
Busenitz, who pitched in four games for the Twins in April, appeared in 17 games for the Red Wings recently, going 2-1 with a 1.27 ERA (28 1/3 IP, 4 ER), five walks, 32 strikeouts and two saves. The 27-year-old Busenitz appeared in 28 games and posted a 1.99 ERA for the Twins in 2017.
A newly-discovered feel for his curveball has helped Busenitz become one of Minnesota's more consistent Minor League pitchers.
"I don't want to say we made a mechanical adjustment, but we just changed a mental thought, which is helping stuff stay in the zone longer, more strikes," Busenitz said of adjustments he made during his tme in the Minors. "That was the issue when I was here: I couldn't throw a curveball for a strike. … [now] it seems [I can]. Hopefully I keep doing it."
With Romero in Triple-A, the Twins currently only have four starting pitchers on their roster. Manager Paul Molitor hinted before Sunday's game that the club may not need to add another starter until Saturday's road matchup with the Cubs, due to the way their schedule lines up.
Molitor also indicated that Saturday's likely starter is not currently on Minnesota's 25-man roster.
"[Busenitz] has been as good as anybody down there, hence he got an opportunity," Molitor said. "We all like having him around. I like having another power arm down there with a breaking ball, which plays up here. That's probably been the biggest improvement in his recent run down there, the quality of his secondary pitch, as far as being able to land it for a strike early, or being able to get back in the count, which makes his fastball all the more effective."