Twins call up Albers

The Minnesota Twins have called up left-hander Andrew Albers (North Battleford, Sask.). Photo: CTV News

August 19, 2021

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

The Minnesota Twins have called up left-hander Andrew Albers (North Battleford, Sask.).

Albers, 35, was promoted from the triple-A St. Paul Saints along with right-hander Kyle Barraclough to replace left-hander Lewis Thorpe who was placed on the 10-day injured list with shoulder soreness. The Twins have also designated right-handers Beau Burrows and Nick Vincent for assignment in recent days.

In 16 appearances in triple-A this season, Albers has posted a 6-4 record and a 3.86 ERA, while striking out 78 batters in 91 innings. The Canuck southpaw also started and tossed seven no-hit innings in a combined no-hitter for Canada in the first game of the Americas Olympic Qualifier against Colombia on May 31.

This will be Albers’ third stint with the Twins. He registered a 4.10 ERA in 10 starts for the Twins in 2013 and then after pitching one game for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2015, returned to toe the rubber in six games for the Twins the following year.

Albers landed with the Seattle Mariners the ensuing campaign and posted a 5-1 record and a 3.51 ERA in nine appearances - including six starts - before signing a contract with Orix Buffaloes of the Japan Pacific League.

The crafty southpaw excelled in his first season in Japan, finishing with a 9-2 record and a 3.08 ERA in 19 starts before he was hampered by a back injury in 2019. He rebounded to be a key starter for the Buffaloes in 2020, posting a 3.66 ERA in 17 games, while striking out 70 in 96 innings.

In all, the veteran lefty has pitched in parts of 13 professional seasons and owns a 3.64 ERA in 320 appearances, including 169 starts, spanning 1,432 2/3 innings.

He has also made eight appearances for the Canadian national team and was a member of both Pan Am Games gold medal-winning teams in 2011 and 2015.

He will be the 15th Canadian to appear in the big leagues this season.