Twins snag 6-foot-4 reliever from Astros in MLB waiver claim

The Minnesota Twins made a noteworthy addition to their bullpen depth on Thursday, claiming a right-handed reliever off waivers from the Houston Astros. 

According to Dan Hayes of The Athletic, 27-year-old Christian Roa has joined the Twins after the Astros designated him for assignment earlier this week. 

In a corresponding move, Minnesota designated utility man Eric Wagaman for assignment. Wagama's 40-man roster spot will go to Roa, a former second-round pick of the Cincinnati Reds in 2020. 

Roa made seven appearances out of the bullpen for the Astros, averaging 96.2 mph on his four-seam fastball. He allowed five earned runs and struck out six batters in 8.2 innings. 

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"This is the second of Roa’s three minor league option years. The Twins can shuttle him back and forth across the Mississippi River as needed both this year and next, assuming he sticks on the roster," Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors wrote Thursday. "For now, he’ll open in St. Paul, but given the state of the club’s bullpen, there’ll surely be opportunities over on the Minneapolis side of the Twin Cities." 

Command has been a glaring issue for Roa, who stands 6-foot-4. That's likely one of the reasons the Twins have decided to option him to Triple-A St. Paul instead of giving him an immediate opportunity in the Major League bullpen. 

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