Balazovic signed with the Doosan Bears of the KBO this week, Jee-ho Yoo of the Yonhap News Agency reports.
Once of the Twins' more promising starting pitching prospects, Balazovic made the full-time move to the bullpen in 2023. He reached the majors briefly last season, posting a 4.44 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 17:12 K:BB in 24.1 innings. He then struggled this year at Triple-A St. Paul with a 5.60 ERA despite a 49:15 K:BB. At age 25, it wouldn't be surprising to see him return to MLB if he has success for a season or two in South Korea.
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Twins' Jordan Balazovic: Sent to minor-league camp
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The Twins reassigned Balazovic to minor-league camp Monday.
Once of the Twins' more promising starting pitching prospects, Balazovic made the full-time move to the bullpen in 2023. Though he reached the big leagues for the first time last season, Balazovic struggled to distinguish himself, posting a 4.44 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 17:12 K:BB in 24.1 innings. Balazovic will remain in the Twins organization for 2024 despite being outrighted shortly before spring training, but his lack of a 40-man roster spot will work against him in his efforts to rejoin the Minnesota bullpen.
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Twins' Jordan Balazovic: Outrighted to Triple-A
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Balazovic cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A St. Paul by the Twins on Tuesday, Darren Wolfson of Channel 5 Saint Paul reports.
While no longer on the 40-man roster, Balazovic will remain in the organization and join the Twins in camp this spring as a non-roster invitee. The right-hander posted a 4.44 ERA and 17:14 K:BB over 24.1 relief innings with Minnesota in 2023.
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Twins' Jordan Balazovic: Jettisoned from 40-man roster
Rotowire
Balazovic was designated for assignment by the Twins on Wednesday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.
He's departing the 40-man roster in favor of Zack Weiss, who was claimed off waivers. Balazovic was once one of the Twins' best pitching prospects, but he didn't progress as hoped as a starter and his control has gotten worse since he was moved to relief full-time in 2023, with an 11.1 percent walk rate in the majors and 15.2 percent walk rate at Triple-A St. Paul.
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Twins' Jordan Balazovic: Will compete for bullpen role
Rotowire
Balazovic will remain in the bullpen and compete for a job on the big-league roster this spring, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports. "I think our view with the best way to get Jordan to be the most effective pitcher with where he's at with the pitch mix and otherwise is to have him in that bullpen role," president of baseball operations Derek Falvey said last month during the Winter Meetings.
After working as a starter for most of his career, Balazovic moved to the bullpen at Triple-A last season and was called up to the majors in June. He had initial success with a 1.29 ERA and 10:4 K:BB in 14 innings, but struggled by posting a 8.71 ERA and 18:7 K:BB in 10.1 innings over his next seven appearances before being sent back to the minors in August. Balazovic was once regarded as a top prospect but has struggled with his control. He had a 4.5 BB/9 at Triple-A in 2022 and a 6.4 BB/9 in 2023. He can still strike out batters at a good clip (10.8 K/9 at Triple-A last season), so there's hope he can reduce his walk rate with a pared-down repertoire in the bullpen.
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Twins' Jordan Balazovic: Optioned to Triple-A
Rotowire
Balazovic was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday.
Balazovic spent just two days on the active roster in his latest stint in the majors and did not get into a game. He'll make way for Joe Ryan, who returns from a groin injury in a corresponding move.
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Twins' Jordan Balazovic: Back in majors
Rotowire
The Twins recalled Balazovic from Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday, John Shipley of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
With Oliver Ortega (back) headed to the injured list, Balazovic will come up from the minors to fill the opening in Minnesota's bullpen. The 24-year-old righty has made 18 appearances with the Twins this season, putting up a 4.44 ERA and 1.56 WHIP through 24.1 innings, and he will likely serve in middle relief while in the majors.
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Twins' Jordan Balazovic: Returns to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Twins optioned Balazovic to Triple-A Rochester on Sunday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Balazovic will head back to the minors after giving up three runs on three hits and three walks over an inning out of the bullpen in Saturday's 7-4 loss to the Pirates. He's struggled with an 8.71 ERA and 7:8 K:BB ratio in 10.1 innings over his last seven appearances. Balazovic could return to the Twins in September if he can rebound with a sustained run of success at Triple-A.
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Twins' Jordan Balazovic: Struggles in loss
Rotowire
Balazovic allowed four runs on six hits and one walk while striking out one over two innings in Wednesday's 9-5 loss to the Tigers.
Balazovic had become a productive middle reliever for the Twins since his call-up in June, but he's struggled recently by allowing four earned runs in his last six innings over three appearances. He has just a 3:3 K:BB ratio over that span. Overall, he has a 3.80 ERA and two holds, but a 5.9 K/9 is well below his minor-league strikeout rates (12.8 K/9 at Triple-A this season).
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Twins' Jordan Balazovic: Will be used in true relief role
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Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said Tuesday that Balazovic will be used in a true relief role moving forward, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.
Balazovic came up through the minors mostly as a starter and he went 3.2 innings in his major-league debut last month. His outings have been shorter since then, though, and that is the role the Twins envision for him moving forward, with high-leverage usage possible. "We've always known he's had this type of ability. ... He's throwing the ball like a good Major League reliever right now," Baldelli said.
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Twins' Jordan Balazovic: Called up by Minnesota
Rotowire
Balazovic was called up from Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday.
The 24-year-old will take the roster spot of Jorge Lopez, who was placed on the restricted list. Balazovic has shifted to a bullpen role at St. Paul this season and has a 4.79 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 50:21 K:BB across 35.2 innings.
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Twins' Jordan Balazovic: Moves to bullpen at Triple-A
Rotowire
Balazovic has a 2.35 ERA with an 11:5 K:BB in 7.2 innings at Triple-A Rochester. He's made all five appearances out of the bullpen.
Balazovic was formerly a top starting pitching prospect but took a large step back in 2022 with a 7.39 ERA and 4:5 BB/9 at Rochester. It looks like he's permanently moving to the bullpen, which will limit his fantasy upside. However, he could still reach the majors due to his deceptive fastball.
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Twins' Jordan Balazovic: Optioned to Triple-A level
Rotowire
The Twins optioned Balazovic (jaw) to Triple-A St. Paul on Friday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.
It's the first cut out of Twins camp, and it comes after Balazovic suffered a broken jaw during an altercation at a Fort Myers bar Feb. 11. The 24-year-old former top prospect struggled to a 7.39 ERA over 70.2 innings at the Triple-A level in 2022, and he had yet to appear in any Grapefruit League games this spring.
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Twins' Jordan Balazovic: Nearing mound work
Rotowire
Balazovic (jaw) said Tuesday that he plans to throw a bullpen session before the end of this week, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.
Balazovic suffered a broken jaw when he was involved in an altercation at a bar earlier this month. He doesn't think the injury will affect his availability for the start of the minor-league season. Balazovic struggled mightily during his first taste of the Triple-A level in 2022 but is still viewed as one of the Twins' better pitching prospects.
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Twins' Jordan Balazovic: Suffers broken jaw
Rotowire
Balazovic broke his jaw in an off-site altercation last Saturday and underwent surgery, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.
The nature of the altercation is unclear. Neither is Balazovic's timeline as far as his return to game action, though he's expected to be able to play catch within 10 days.
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Twins' Jordan Balazovic: Active for Triple-A St. Paul
Rotowire
Balazovic (knee) was activated off the 7-day injured list for Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday, Brandon Warne of Access Twins reports.
Balazovic missed the start of the year with a strained left knee. He made a single two-inning rehab start for Single-A Fort Myers on Sunday and wasn't particularly good, giving up four runs, but he'll nonetheless head to the Triple-A level to continue building up his workload.
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Twins' Jordan Balazovic: Begins rehab stint
Rotowire
Balazovic (knee) gave up four runs over two innings Sunday for Single-A Fort Myers in a rehab start.
Balazovic is on the IL at Triple-A with a left knee strain. It's not clear how many rehab outings he'll need before joining Triple-A, but at least this this shows his knee issue isn't a long-term injury.
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Twins' Jordan Balazovic: Begins Triple-A season on IL
Rotowire
Balazovic will begin the season the 7-day IL at Triple-A St. Paul with a left knee strain, Brandon Warne of Access Twins reports.
It's not clear how long Balazovic will be out. He suffered a back injury in spring training last year that delayed the start to his 2021 season to June. He then had a solid season at Double-A with a 3.62 ERA, 9.5 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9 in 20 starts. If he can stay healthy, Balazovic has a chance to join the Minnesota rotation early in the season.
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Twins' Jordan Balazovic: Moved to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Twins optioned Balazovic to Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.
Balazovic was one of six pitchers optioned to minor-league camp as the Twins made their first round of cuts. The 23-year-old right-hander will move up a level to begin the 2022 campaign after he turned in a 3.62 ERA and 102:38 K:BB in 97 innings at Double-A Wichita in 2021.
