Twins designate Tim Stauffer for assignment, recall Michael Tonkin

The Twins have designated embattled right-hander Tim Stauffer for assignment. This has been coming for a while, and I don't think he's the last veteran who will lose his roster spot in Minnesota this year.

Twins have designated Tim Stauffer for assignment. Michael Tonkin will be called back up.

— Betsy Helfand (@BetsyHelfand) June 11, 2015

Stauffer struggled out of the gate this year with declining velocity and giving the Twins more ineffective innings than effective. His contract is guaranteed, but because he didn't hit any of his appearance incentives he'll make his base $2.2 million salary. In 13 appearances, Stauffer allowed 13 runs (11 earned) in 15 innings (6.60 ERA) off of 24 hits and seven walks. He struck out six. Since returning from the disabled list in late May he'd made five appearances.

Instead of giving Paul Molitor four bench players, the Twins will continue to run an eight-man bullpen by recalling Michael Tonkin. Tonkin has earned this roster spot, although the 25-year old right-hander had a rough outing on May 17 that scuttled his ERA in eight Major League innings this year. In Triple-A in 2015, Tonkin owns a 1.54 ERA in 12 appearances, including 16 strikeouts and two walks. He's pitched 415.1 minor league innings with a 3.19 ERA.

This move leaves the Twins with one open spot on their 40-man roster. The 25-man roster includes 13 pitches and 12 position players. My question is: what's next? Brian Duensing owns a 9.26 ERA in 11.2 innings this year, and Eduardo Nunez is over his head by hitting .300/.340/.460. Right now, these two players look like they'll be on the block with the club needs to add younger players over the next few weeks.