MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins have called up top prospect Walker Jenkins, with the status of All-Star center fielder Byron Buxton unclear.
The Twins announced on social media on Thursday that they're bringing up the center fielder Jenkins from Triple-A St. Paul, where the 2023 first-round draft pick was batting .308 with 51 runs, 12 homers and 17 steals with a .939 OPS in 69 games. The 21-year-old native of North Carolina hit eight home runs in his last 15 games for the Saints. Jenkins was slotted 15th overall on Major League Baseball's prospect rankings for 2026.
The Twins were off on Thursday and did not announce any corresponding roster moves. Jenkins, the fifth overall pick in 2023, will need to be added to the organization's 40-man roster as well as the active 26-man roster before the Twins begin a three-game series on Friday against the AL Central-leading Chicago White Sox.
Buxton has been hampered by a hip injury over the last two months and was removed from Minnesota's game on Tuesday with another aggravation.
See AP’s full MLB coverage here
Minnesota Twins' Byron Buxton reacts while running to first base after winning a challenge in the first inning during a baseball game against the Athletics, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Alan Greth)
Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton (25) leaves the game during a baseball game against the Athletics Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Alan Greth)
FILE - This is a 2026 photo of Walker Jenkins of the Minnesota Twins baseball team reflecting the Minnesota Twins active roster as of Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026 when this image was taken. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert,File)
TORONTO (AP) — The Toronto Blue Jays signed veteran right-hander Michael Lorenzen to a one-year contract on Thursday to help shore up a bullpen that has been used heavily in recent weeks.
Lorenzen was released by the Colorado Rockies earlier this month. His arrival in Toronto came a day after the Blue Jays used seven relievers in a 3-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals.
“Availability for length and availability to do a lot of different things,” Toronto manager John Schneider said before the Blue Jays faced the Kansas City Royals.
Lorenzen, who started 25 of his 26 appearances with the Rockies this year, was available out of the bullpen for Thursday night's game against the Royals.
Lorenzen, a 12-year MLB veteran, was 3-11 with a 7.08 earned-run average this season with Colorado.
The 34-year-old Lorenzen spent his first seven seasons with the Cincinnati Reds and was an All-Star with the Detroit Tigers in 2023. He has also played for the Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Philadelphia Phillies and Texas Rangers.
“You pick up a guy that’s done it before and that can basically throw every day,” Schneider said.
Bullpen games have become a frequent occurrence for the Blue Jays this season due to injuries. Shane Bieber would have started on Wednesday, but he was placed on the 15-day injured list due to muscle inflammation in his right shoulder.
Other Toronto starters on the IL include Trey Yesavage (knee), Jose Berrios (elbow), Patrick Corbin (shoulder), Bowden Francis (elbow), Cody Ponce (knee) and Jameson Taillon (forearm).
Several Blue Jays relievers are in the top 15 on the major-league list for appearances this season.
Entering play Thursday, Mason Fluharty led all players with 71 appearances. Braydon Fisher (64) was fifth, Tyler Rogers (63) was tied for sixth and closer Louis Varland (61) was tied for 12th.
Schneider said Lorenzen could also be used as a starter over the final month of the season, if needed.
“He’s done it obviously this year and in the past,” he said. “So he can do that or can do multiple things out of the ‘pen. He could do one inning out of the ’pen.”
Lorenzen has a 57-66 record and 4.40 ERA over 421 career appearances, including 144 starts.
“It’s tough to pitch (at altitude) in Colorado, we know that,” Schneider said. “He’s excited to be here. He loves the place.”
Also Thursday, the Blue Jays optioned right-hander Chad Dallas to Triple-A Buffalo and transferred outfielder Jonatan Clase to the 60-day injured list.
Colorado Rockies pitcher Michael Lorenzen (24) throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the against the San Francisco Giants in San Francisco, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
Colorado Rockies pitcher Michael Lorenzen (24) throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the against the San Francisco Giants in San Francisco, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
