Twin Valley grad A.J. Alexy designated for assignment by the Minnesota Twins

Jan. 24—Twin Valley grad A.J. Alexy, a right-handed pitcher, was designated for assignment for the third time this offseason on Monday, this time by the Minnesota Twins.

Minnesota needed space on its 40-man roster for outfielder Michael A. Taylor, acquired in a trade from Kansas City earlier Monday.

The 24-year-old Alexy had been acquired by the Twins from the Washington National for minor-league pitcher Cristian Jimenez on Jan. 11

Alexy had been designated for assignment on Jan. 4 by the Nationals, who had claimed him on waivers on Dec. 13. His whirlwind offseason began when he was designated for assignment by the Texas Rangers on Dec. 9.

The Twins have seven days to trade, waive or release Alexy. He could be claimed on waivers by another team. If he clears waivers, Minnesota may send him outright to the minors.

Alexy spent most of last season with Triple-A Round Rock, going 6-6 with a 5.91 ERA in 31 games, 16 of them starts. He struck out 103 and walked 56 in 96 innings.

He was shifted to a relief role in June after going 3-3 with a 7.51 ERA in his first 13 starts. He was 3-3 with a 4.20 ERA as a reliever, striking out 34 and walking 17 in 30 innings.

Alexy appeared in four games for the Rangers, all in relief, going 1-1 with an 11.57 ERA in seven innings. He struck out six and walked nine.

In 2021, Alexy went 3-1 with a 4.70 ERA in five games, four of them starts, for the Rangers after going 3-1 with a 1.66 ERA in 16 games in the minors (13 in Double-A, three in Triple-A).

He made his major league debut Aug. 30 against Colorado, allowing one hit in five shutout innings. In his second start, he allowed one hit in six shutout innings against the Los Angeles Angels.

He was the first pitcher in major league history to go five shutout innings or longer and allow one hit or fewer in each of his first two career appearances, both starts, since 1893, when the mound was set at 60 feet, 6 inches from home plate.

Alexy was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 11th round of the 2016 draft. He was traded to Texas as part of the deal for pitcher Yu Darvish on July 31, 2017.