In a dynamic move within the AL Central division, Joey Wentz finds himself donning the Minnesota Twins jersey after being claimed off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates. It’s a fresh start for the southpaw, who originally hit the Major League scene with high expectations as the 40th overall pick by the Atlanta Braves back in the 2016 MLB Draft.
Wentz’s journey has been anything but straightforward. After cutting his teeth as a promising prospect in the Braves’ system, he was shipped off to Detroit in 2019 in a trade involving Shane Greene. However, a Tommy John surgery sidelined him, delaying his MLB debut with the Tigers until 2022.
Initially trying his hand as a starting pitcher, Wentz faced some tough outings that culminated in a 6.90 ERA over 13 starts for the Tigers in 2023. This performance led to a shift to the bullpen, where he showed improvement with 38 appearances during the 2024 season before being designated for assignment.
Despite a late-season resurgence with the Pirates, boasting a 1.50 ERA across eight relief outings, Wentz’s early performances in 2025 couldn’t shield him from another waiver designation. His 4.15 ERA didn’t quite cut it for Pittsburgh.
Now with the Twins, Wentz stands poised for redemption, joining Danny Coulombe as one of the few lefty options in Minnesota’s bullpen. Over his four-year career, Wentz has navigated through the highs and lows, reflected in an 8-18 record and a 5.40 ERA over 231 2/3 innings. His time with Detroit was notably rocky against the Twins, where he logged an 0-3 record with a 4.60 ERA across nine matchups.
The calendar might just offer Wentz a serendipitous moment, with a potential chance to face his former teammates when the Twins are set to clash with the Tigers from June 27-29. For a pitcher eager to cement his place in the league, it could be the perfect stage to showcase his growth and resilience.
