Twins make Opening Day decision on former Yankees, Braves .722 OPS corner infielder

The Minnesota Twins are a club amid a rebuild, hiring manager Derek Shelton during the offseason. 

Most of Minnesota's spring training roster is young players looking to impress and veterans fighting for roster spots. Center fielder Byron Buxton is the top name of the group, leaving camp earlier this spring to play for Team USA at the World Baseball Classic. 

They decided to part ways with a dependable third baseman on Friday, granting Gio Urshela his release after the veteran was informed he would not make the Opening Day roster, per Anthony Franco of MLB Trade Rumors. 

Twins release Urshela 

Urshela has shown flashes of offensive upside, breaking out to hit 21 home runs with a .889 OPS with the New York Yankees in 2019. He became a fan favorite in the Bronx for his diving plays and clutch hitting. 

The Colombia-born 34-year-old was in camp on a minor league contract, so he's likely to search for a better opportunity for playing time. Still, a .613 OPS in 59 contests last season with the Athletics is not an attractive audition. 

This opens the door for the Twins to offer extended playing time to younger players at the hot corner, most notably Royce Lewis and Brooks Lee. 

More MLB news:

• Atlanta Braves legend admits that he’s getting closer to the end of his playing days
• New York Mets veteran hints at retirement coming soon after dominating baseball for a decade-plus
• New York Mets get brutal update on chances of signing Freddy Peralta
• New York Mets make new Bo Bichette position plan amid injuries
• Netflix announces Barry Bonds news ahead of Yankees vs. Giants on Opening Day
• New York Yankees announcer calls out Bryce Harper after World Baseball Classic Championship Game