Twins make roster moves

By Paul Casella / MLB.com 

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Twins announced their second round of cuts on Sunday, optioning three players to Triple-A Rochester and reassigning five others to Minor League camp.

The trio optioned to Rochester consisted of left-hander Kris Johnson, catcher Eric Fryer and infielder Danny Santana, while the club reassigned left-hander Sean Gilmartin, outfielders Darin Mastroianni and Jermaine Mitchell, and infielders James Beresford and Brandon Waring to Minor League camp.

Following the eight moves, the Twins have 40 players remaining in big league camp, including 10 non-roster invitees.

Most notable among the cuts are Mastroianni, who was in the running to start the season with the Twins as an extra outfielder, as well as Santana and Gilmartin, the Twins' No. 12- and No. 13-ranked prospects, respectively, according to MLB.com.

Santana's offensive skill set was on full display this spring, as he hit .391 (9-for-23) with two triples, three doubles and three stolen bases in 10 games. He spent all of last season with Double-A New Britain, where he posted a .297/.333/.386 slash line with 10 triples, 30 stolen bases and 45 RBIs, though he also made 32 errors at shortstop.

As for Gilmartin, the pitching prospect acquired from the Braves this winter in exchange for catcher Ryan Doumit, he goes to Minor League camp after posting a 1.50 ERA in four appearances this spring. He allowed one run over six innings of work while striking out five and walking two.