Left-hander Ron Mahay and Minnesota Twins agree to minor league contract

Mahay, Twins agree to minor league contract

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Left-hander Ron Mahay and the Minnesota Twins have agreed to a minor league contract.

Mahay was cut by the Kansas City Royals with a 4.79 ERA in August, then signed with the Twins and had a 1-0 record and 2.00 ERA in nine innings with eight strikeouts and three walks. He made three appearances in the playoffs against the Yankees, allowing one run in 1 2-3 innings.

The Twins are reworking their bullpen following Joe Nathan’s season-ending Tommy John elbow injury, scheduled for Friday by Dr. David Altchek, a team physician for the New York Mets.

Mahay might be able to provide depth. Left-hander Glen Perkins, a candidate for a long relief role, is out for at least a few days because of a strained back.

The 38-year-old Mahay is 26-11 with a 3.86 ERA and four saves with eight teams in 13 major league seasons.

Manager Ron Gardenhire said the plan is to send Mahay to minor-league camp for a couple of weeks and then evaluate the situation.

“We know what he can do. He can come in and get some lefties out,” Gardenhire said, adding: “No promises, other than we’ll let him get into shape here and then we’ll see where we’re at.”