Twins designate RHP Phil Hughes for assignment

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MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Twins have designated pitcher Phil Hughes for assignment, an expensive decision to dump the right-hander after continued struggles recovering from rib surgeries.



Hughes, who is making $13.2 million this season and due the same salary in 2019, has a 6.75 ERA in 12 innings. He was dropped from the rotation after two starts and made five relief appearances. Twins manager Paul Molitor said Monday that Hughes was not asked to accept a minor league demotion.

After a career year in 2014, his first with the Twins, Hughes was never the same. Since 2016, Hughes is 5-10 with a 5.99 ERA with 162 hits allowed in 124 2/3 innings. He had rib procedures for thoracic outlet syndrome that caused shoulder trouble and ended his 2016 and 2017 seasons early.