By Matt Kelly

N.B’s Andrew Albers makes most of MLB appearance

Aug 13, 2016 | 4:00 PM

It was a short-lived but impactful MLB appearance for a North Battleford born player.

Andrew Albers, 30, was called up by the Minnesota Twins from the AAA affiliate Rochester Red Wings for a doubleheader on Thursday, Aug. 11 against the Houston Astros. 

Albers was on the Twins’ roster to pitch, and made it to the mound as a relief pitcher in the second game.

He threw 108 pitches with five strikeouts, giving up three earned runs on 11 hits over six innings.

The Twins lost the game 10-2.

ACAC bound

North Stars' Medernach talks commitment to NAIT Ooks

18h ago

Rustlers Volleyball

Crusaders' Bell excited for next chapter with Lakeland College

Apr 24, 2024

Nothing but Net

Vikings' standouts ready for national stage with Team Saskatchewan

Apr 24, 2024

The unusually long relief outing wasn’t entirely out of the ordinary for Albers, who is normally a starter for Rochester.

“We were down by a little bit and when I went in, it didn’t go so well,” he said. “My goal after that that was just to try to eat up as many innings as I could and luckily was able to get through the rest of the game and hopefully save the arms of the bullpen.”

Following the game, Twins manager Paul Molitor said he was “grateful” Albers was there.

It wasn’t the first time Albers had pitched for the Twins. He spent part of the 2013 season as their starting pitcher, finishing with a two and five record in 10 starts.

This appearance was his first time pitching in a MLB game since an appearance with the Toronto Blue Jays on May 1, 2015.

Albers was designated for assignment (DFA), after the Twins lost to the Kansas City Royals seven to three on Friday, Aug. 12.

When a player’s contract is DFA, it means the player is immediately removed from his club’s 40-man roster. Within 10 days of the listing, the player can be traded, claimed off waivers, assigned to the Minor Leagues or released.

Albers said he would likely head back to Rochester and rejoin the Red Wings after his short stint with Minnesota, but added it was a great experience being back in the MLB.

“It’s always fun. Anytime you get the chance to pitch in the big leagues, you try to relish that and try to enjoy that moment,” he said. “Maybe I’ll get another opportunity, we’ll see.”

Matt Kelly is battlefordsNOW’s town municipal affairs and community reporter. He can be reached at mkelly@jpbg.ca.