Twins designate Luis Ayala for assignment

[DirtyKash]

Twins designate Ayala for assignment
5 hours ago

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins have designated reliever Luis Ayala for assignment in the latest move to address their struggling bullpen.

Ayala was 1-2 with a 4.18 ERA in 28 appearances this season. He gave up an eighth-inning home run to Houston's Lance Berkman on Saturday as the Twins relievers let a 3-1 lead slip away in a 6-5 defeat.

The Twins signed Ayala to a one-year, $1.3 million contract in February in hopes that he would develop into a reliable setup man for closer Joe Nathan. But Ayala allowed 38 hits in 32 1-3 innings this season.

The Twins say they bring up right-hander Bobby Keppel from Triple-A Rochester in time for Tuesday's game at Milwaukee.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!"
- Kingdom_of_Zito

[henks]

Good.

[Luis Ayala]

I pitched my heart out for this organization and this is the thanks I get!

[mntwinsfan]

stupid move. WHO did we call up? There have been others in the pen that have done worse than Ayala has done. So the 1.3 million we spent was another bad move. Here is an idea pay me the 1.3 million and I can get ruffed up like all our rp's! I might give a hometown discount? :P

[ljshorty89]

How bad had Ayala been? Were Twins fans terribly dissatisfied with him?

[catman]

The Twins called up Bobby Keppel to replace Ayala.
I'm not sure about this move, but I don't get a vote. Ayala had been pitching pretty well recently and has lots of experience in tight games. He must have had a bad attitude for the team to just cut him like this. If he accepts his asignment to the minors, he will stay in the organization and can be added to the 40 man roster again later.