Minnesota Rearranges Roster With a Series of Moves

In several moves to revamp the roster, the Minnesota Twins have designated Matt Maloney for assignment and optioned Danny Valencia to AAA. To replace them, the Twins have recalled outfielder Darin Mastroianni and selected the contract of right-handed pitcher P.J Walters, according to the team:

#Twins option Valencia to AAA, designate Maloney for assignment.Will recall OF Darin Mastroianni and select contract of RHP P.J. Walters.

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) May 10, 2012

More, the club has moved Francisco Liriano to the bullpen while Walters will get the start on Sunday, according to Ben Goessling and Rhett Bollinger:

In addition to the moves, #Twins send Francisco Liriano to the bullpen. Walters starts on Saturday.

— Ben Goessling (@BenGoesslingPP) May 10, 2012

Maloney, 28, was claimed by the Twins off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds last fall, but this season has mostly been a disaster as he's giving up nearly one earned run for every inning in which he appears, totaling an 8.18 ERA.

Valencia, the 27 year-old 3rd baseman, has earned his demotion by struggling at the plate this season, hitting just .198/.212/.302.

Whether moving Liriano to the pen and bringing up Mastroianni and Walters can help the Twins climb back to respectability in this disappointing season remains to be seen, but this is unlikely the last move the Twins make to bolster the roster.