Twins decline options on DH/1B Morrison, RHP Santana

Published 8:15 am Wednesday, October 31, 2018

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Twins have declined 2019 options on contracts with starting pitcher Ervin Santana and designated hitter/first baseman Logan Morrison.

Santana’s contract is for $14 million and Morrison’s for $8 million. In announcing the expected decision Tuesday, the team will pay each player a $1 million buyout to make him a free agent.

Morrison batted .186 with 15 home runs in 95 games in his only season with Minnesota before needing surgery on his left hip.

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Santana had surgery on his right middle finger two weeks before spring training and didn’t debut with the Twins until July 25. With an 8.03 ERA in 24 2/3 innings over five starts, he was shut down again. Over the 2016 and 2017 seasons, Santana went 23-19 in 63 starts with a 3.32 ERA, seven complete games and four shutouts.