Twins Option Eric Orze to Make Room for Tommy Nance

[John Bonnes]

The Minnesota Twins have optioned right-hander Eric Orze to Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday, clearing space on the active roster for Tommy Nance, acquired Friday from the Blue Jays. The Athletic's Dan Hayes first reported the move.

Only a handful of Twins relievers have been leaned on more heavily than Orze, who has appeared in 35 games and thrown 41 ⅓ innings. But the results have lagged behind the workload. Orze carries a 5.27 ERA and 1.49 WHIP, with 36 strikeouts against 21 walks. What’s more, he’s been trending in the wrong direction, posting a 9.00 ERA and 1.78 WHIP since June 1st. 

The 28-year-old came to Minnesota from Tampa Bay in a November trade for minor-league pitcher Jacob Kisting, following a promising 2025 in which he posted a 3.02 ERA over 41.2 innings for the Rays. Because he still has minor-league options, he was the path of least resistance when the front office needed a spot for Nance.

Nance, 35, cost the Twins minor-league catcher/third baseman Ryan Sprock, last year's eighth-round pick. The veteran right-hander owns a 3.82 ERA over 33 innings for Toronto this season with a 24.5% strikeout rate, and he comes with three additional years of club control beyond 2026. 

Orze figures to be a candidate to return quickly whenever the bullpen needs reinforcements. For now, he'll try to rediscover his 2025 form with the Saints.

 

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[Rosterman]

You would think Adams and Funderburk would also be on the bubble (who does Sands replace), except you can only go up-and-down so many times these days. Orza was a potential trade chip if the Twins were sellers, except that now he is worthy of only joining Matt Bowman and others as AAA fodder.

[Colbeh]

This is the right move, let Orze reset a bit and get some confidence back.

He has a 5.66 ERA - 4.08 xERA - 3.35 FIP - 4.74 xFIP so he's probably due some positive regression. Hopefully he works on his command and come back sharper.

[Mark Videen]

If you want to compete you have to at least have some experienced veteran journeyman arms in your pen. Orze, Adams, Voth, etc just weren't providing that. Overall, this is a low wattage move but Twins have had some pass success finding some nuggets. Also, Nance didn't debut until he was 30 y.o. so he still has 3 years of control. They also received some international bonus pool money which can be a big deal when trying to sign those prospects.

[HarmonK03]

32 minutes ago, Rosterman said:

Orza was a potential trade chip

For what a bucket of balls?

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, Rosterman said:

You would think Adams and Funderburk would also be on the bubble (who does Sands replace),

They are both also on the bubble but have pitched better than Orze lately 

[David HK]

Orze optioned. 

So there is a benevolent and all-knowing God after all.

[clone52]

3 hours ago, Rosterman said:

You would think Adams and Funderburk would also be on the bubble (who does Sands replace), except you can only go up-and-down so many times these days. Orza was a potential trade chip if the Twins were sellers, except that now he is worthy of only joining Matt Bowman and others as AAA fodder.

Probably a better trade chip if he has a good couple weeks in St. Paul than he is right now.

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

Orze and the senior citizen orthopedic high tops are no longer! Thank goodness.

[gil4]

4 hours ago, HarmonK03 said:

For what a bucket of balls?

The half-full waterlogged one.