The Twins have designated 28-year old lefty swinging outfielder Clete Thomas for assignment. Thomas played in 12 games for the Twins this year and he was 4 for 28 (.143 avg, .458 OPS) with 2 runs scored, 1 homer and 4 RBIs. He has now played in 157 games in his first three years in the majors and he is 103 for 419 (.246 avg, .710 OPS) with 56 runs scored, 9 homers, 52 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. The Twins needed Thomas’ roster spot for Erik Komatsu who has been claimed off waivers from the Cardinals.

UPDATE: (5/6/2012) - Clete Thomas has cleared waivers and he has accepted an outright assignment to AAA.

The Twins have designated 31-year old lefty swinging 3B Sean Burroughs for assignment. Burroughs played in 10 games for the Twins this year and he was 2 for 17 (.118 avg, .343 OPS) with 1 RBI. The Twins have called up 28-year old righty swinging catcher Drew Butera to replace Burroughs on the active roster. Butera played in 15 games in AAA-ball this year and he was 12 of 43 (.279 avg, .738 OPS) with 6 runs scored, 1 homer and 5 RBIs. Butera has played in 142 games in two years with the Twins and he is 67 of 376 (.178 avg, .481 OPS) with 31 runs scored, 4 homers and 36 RBIs. Butera will serve as the Twins’ #3 catcher so that Joe Mauer and Ryan Doumit can be in the lineup at the same time.

UPDATE: (5/4/2012) - Sean Burroughs has cleared waivers and he has accepted an outright assignment to AAA.

The Twins have signed 32-year old lefty swinging 2B Joe Thurston to a minor league deal. Thurston played in 11 games in AAA-ball earlier this year for the Phillies and he was 6 for 29 (.207 avg, .723 OPS) with 5 runs scored, 1 homer, 2 RBIs and 1 stolen base. He has played in 184 games in his first seven years in the majors and he is 76 for 337 (.226 avg, .629 OPS) with 34 runs scored, 1 homer, 27 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. The Twins might give Thurston a chance to get back to the show in 2012 at some point.

The Twins have called up 33-year old righty starting pitcher Jason Marquis. Marquis didn’t get a full spring training due to some off the field issues but he looked sharp in the minors. He started 2 games in AA-ball this year and he was 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA and a 0.86 WHIP. He pitched in 23 games (all starts) for the Nationals & D-Backs last year and he was 8-6 with a 4.43 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP. Marquis has now pitched in 326 games (267 starts) in his first 12 years in the majors and he is 104-98 with 1 save, a 4.55 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP.

The Twins have designated 27-year old righty swinging 1B/2B/3B Luke Hughes for assignment. Hughes played in 4 games for the Twins this year and he was 2 for 10 (.200 avg, .382 OPS) with 2 RBIs and 1 stolen base. He has played in 102 games in his three years with the Twins and he is 68 for 304 (.224 avg, .627 OPS) with 32 runs scored, 8 homers, 33 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. The Twins needed Hughes’ roster spot for righty starter Jason Marquis, who is starting against the Yankees tonight. The Twins should try to deal Hughes as he might not make it through waivers.

UPDATE: (4/22/2012) - The Twins have lost Luke Hughes on waivers to the Oakland A’s.