The Twins released Melotakis from Triple-A Rochester on Friday, Brandon Warne of The Athletic Minnesota reports.
Melotakis was selected in the second round back in 2012, and he had Tommy John surgery less than two years later. Injuries have plagued the 26-year-old, but his fastball hums in the mid-90s and he pitched to a 3.07 ERA in 14.2 innings this season at Triple-A. As a left-handed relief pitcher with decent numbers and decent pedigree, Melotakis' pro career may not be done.
Melotakis cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Melotakis compiled a 2.42 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 26 innings of relief with Double-A Chattanooga this season. His velocity saw a dip after he was promoted to Triple-A, which could be problematic when taking into account his injury history. He's still only 25 years old, and he's got the stuff to be a decent bullpen arm if he's able to stay healthy.
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Twins' Mason Melotakis: Optioned to Triple-A
Rotowire
Melotakis (oblique) was optioned to Triple-A Rochester Monday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
This shouldn't come as too much of a surprise, as Melotakis has been shut down since the start of camp with an oblique injury. He spent all of 2016 with Double-A Chattanooga, where he posted a 2.97 ERA with an impressive 42:12 K:BB across 33.1 innings. If the 25-year-old impresses at Triple-A, he could be in line for a call-up sometime in 2017.
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Twins' Mason Melotakis: Unlikely to appear in Grapefruit League games this spring
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Manager Paul Molitor said it was "fairly reasonable" to assume Melotakis (oblique) won't appear in any Grapefruit League games this spring, Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press reports.
Although this is unfortunate for both parties, it isn't entirely surprising, as oblique injuries tend to keep pitchers out longer than expected. Melotakis threw his first bullpen session over the weekend and felt good, so he will continue to progress through his rehab but likely won't get any game action in before the regular season. He'll start the year in the minors.
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Twins' Mason Melotakis: Completes bullpen with no issues
Rotowire
Melotakis (oblique) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session with no issues Friday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
Melotakis will likely be scheduled for a few more of these before he progresses to the next step of his recovery. Nonetheless, it's a positive sign. Melotakis spent the entire 2016 season at Double-A Chattanooga and will likely be a long shot for a major league bullpen spot even if he's healthy by Opening Day.
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Twins' Mason Melotakis: Scheduled for second bullpen Sunday
Rotowire
Melotakis (oblique) is slated to throw his second bullpen session of the spring Sunday, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
The left-hander threw his first bullpen Friday, a 25-pitch session with no apparent issues. This is simply another step in the recovery process and should provide a better indication of when Melotakis will be ready for game action this spring. He is expected to begin the upcoming season in the minors after spending all of 2016 at Double-A Chattanooga.
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Twins' Mason Melotakis: Slated for first bullpen Friday
Rotowire
Melotakis (oblique) is scheduled to throw his first bullpen session of the spring Friday, Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press reports.
This is just another step in Melotakis' recovery from a right oblique injury. He'll likely need multiple bullpen sessions before moving to the next step in his throwing program, which would be live batting practice. He'll continue to move along slowly as he approaches his spring debut.
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Twins' Mason Melotakis: Will throw from 120 feet Tuesday
Rotowire
Melotakis (oblique) is scheduled to throw from 120 feet Tuesday, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Melotakis is making incremental progress in his recovery from a right oblique injury, but his spring training debut shouldn't be considered imminent until he's facing hitters in live batting practices. Before that happens, he'll likely need to complete multiple bullpen sessions off a mound.
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Twins' Mason Melotakis: Improved, but not yet throwing
Rotowire
Melotakis (oblique) has shown improvement, but is not yet throwing, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
The 25-year-old was held out of pitching activities this week, a trend which could continue in the coming days. Melotakis is competing for a spot in the Twins' bullpen after registering a 2.97 ERA and a 42:12 K:BB ratio last season with Double-A Chattanooga.
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Twins' Mason Melotakis: Won't throw next couple days
Rotowire
Moltakis (oblique) attempted to throw off flat ground Saturday but experienced some discomfort and will back off for the next few days, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Melotakis enters camp on the outside looking in for a major league roster spot to begin the season. Injuries certainly haven't helped his cause, but he posted solid numbers over 33.1 innings with the team's Double-A Chattanooga affiliate. He'll look to open eyes when he does return to the mound, but it sounds as if that may be a little ways off at this point.
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Twins' Mason Melotakis: Optioned to Double-A
Rotowire
Melotakis was optioned to Double-A Chattanooga.
Melotakis have up two runs with three walks in 2.2 innings in big league camp this spring. While those numbers were poor, it was his first action in a game, other than in the instructional league, since undergoing Tommy John surgery at the end of 2014. His velocity could make him an option for the big-league bullpen later this summer, but he'll need to show he's fully back from surgery.
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Twins' Mason Melotakis: First game action since 2014
Rotowire
Melotakis gave up one run on two hits and two walks in one inning in his spring debut Friday. He was hitting 97 mph on the radar gun and looked healthy after missing 2015 due to Tommy John surgery, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
It was Melotakis' first appearance in a game, other than instructional league, since September 2014. He had a promising 2.25 ERA and a 17:3 K:BB ratio in 16 innings in Double-A in 2014. His velocity could make him an option for the big league bullpen later this summer, but he'll need to show he's fully back from surgery.
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Twins' Mason Melotakis: Careful return from Tommy John
Rotowire
Melotakis has yet to see game action since undergoing Tommy John surgery in September 2014, and will be closely monitored this spring, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
It sounds like he could still be ready for the start of the minor league season. Melotakis missed the entire 2015 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in October of 2014. The lefty last appeared at the Double-A level, working to a 2.25 ERA in 16 innings.
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Twins' Mason Melotakis: Added to 40-man roster
Rotowire
Melotakis (elbow) was added to the 40-man roster Friday.
Melotakis missed the entire 2015 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in October of 2014, but he could be able to return by the start of spring training. The lefty last appeared at the Double-A level, working to a 2.25 ERA in 16 innings.
