Roster Implications: Twins Send Aaron Hicks, Scott Diamond to Triple-A

Following this afternoon's defeat and resulting sweep at the hands of the Royals in Minneapolis, the Twins have optioned both Aaron Hicks and Scott Diamond to Triple-A. Oswaldo Arcia will be recalled for tomorrow's game versus the Astros.

Hicks was 0-for-4 today with a pair of strikeouts, making him 7-for-35 in his last ten games with ten strikeouts. After a period where it seemed like he was beginning to figure things out at the plate, because let's be honest he's not being send down due to his defense, the offense has taken a hit again an his batting average is once again hovering in the mid-.190s.

Diamond's performance this season, meanwhile, has been a bigger surprise. He's logged just two quality starts in his last ten outings, wherein he owns a a 6.45 ERA. On the season he's managed just seven quality starts in 20 trips to the hill. For what it's worth:

Scott Diamond
Career K/9: 4.4
Career BB/9: 2.2

Nick Blackburn
Career K/9: 4.3
Career BB/9: 2.2

In return for Hicks and Diamond, Oswaldo Arcia will return to outfield duties. With the Red Wings this season he's batting .313/.426/.594 with ten homers and six doubles in 38 games. Speculation is that the Twins may also call up lefty Andrew Albers, who has made 22 starts in Triple-A. Albers has struck out 116 and walked 32 in 132.1 innings, helping him to a more than solid 2.86 ERA.

Albers is not currently on the 40-man roster, but the departure of Drew Butera has left a spot available. Clete Thomas will take over center field duties.