Thompson was optioned to Triple-A Rochester, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Thompson looked to be the top lefty in the Minnesota bullpen after a strong first two months of the season (3.42 ERA), but he's fallen apart with nine earned runs in 8.1 innings since June 1. Overuse may have been an issue, as he had an AL leading 41 appearances in Minnesota's first 82 games.

Aaron Thompson retired the only batter he faced on a double play grounder to record his ninth hold in Saturday's win over Kansas City to lower his ERA to 5.01. Thompson looked to be the top lefty in the Minnesota bullpen after a strong first two months of the season, but he struggled with a 10.8 ERA in June. He has just 4.7 K/9 and is walking too many batters with a 3.1 BB/9. He has held left-handed batters to a .481 OPS, so the Twins will need to limit his exposure to right-handed batters for him to be effective.

Thompson retired the only batter he faced in Friday's loss to Toronto to lower his ERA to 3.42. Thompson has become Minnesota's top lefty setup man and has only allowed a run in six of 25 appearances. However, he has just a 14:7 K:BB ratio in 23.2 innings. He's unlikely to sustain his early success with just a 5.3 K/9.

Thompson threw two scoreless innings in Sunday's win over Cleveland to lower his ERA to 0.87. Thompson has become the top lefty in the bullpen with Brian Duensing on the DL. He's given up just two walks and four hits in 10.1 innings this season.

Thompson was recalled from Triple-A Rochester and added to Minnesota's 25-man roster, MLB.com reports. Thompson may only be in the majors for a few weeks as Minnesota's bullpen may be in flux in April. Thompson will be the third lefty in the bullpen, so he may not be used in a lot of high-leverage situations.

Thompson did not make the Opening Day roster, LaVelle E. Neal of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. With Thompson headed to Triple-A Rochester, Caleb Thielbar appears to have won the final spot in Minnesota's bullpen. Should the Twins have need of a lefty reliever, Thompson will likely be the first man called up.

Thompson is in the running for one of Minnesota's final two bullpen spots, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. He has a 2.84 ERA with a 6:2 K:BB ratio in 6.1 innings this spring. He's probably a long shot since he'd have to win a job over Caleb Thielbar as a second left in the bullpen. Still, his 8.8 K/9 in Triple-A last year suggests he could be an effective lefty specialist in the majors.

Thompson's contract was selected from Triple-A Rochester on Saturday, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. In 15 second half outings at Rochester, Thompson has struggled, to say the least, posting a 9.22 ERA, 2.12 WHIP, and 12:11 K:BB in 13.2 innings. Considering he hasn't fared much better in four major league appearances -- 7.04 ERA in 7.2 innings -- he'll likely only be utilized by the Twins in low-leverage situations.

Twins re-signed LHP Aaron Thompson to a minor league contract. Thompson was suspended for the first 50 games this past season for violating baseball's drug policy, but he returned to post a 2.76 ERA over 58-plus frames on the farm. The southpaw will compete for a bullpen spot in spring training.

Twins' minor league left-hander Aaron Thompson will be suspended 50 games for violating baseball's drug policy. The commissioner's office has yet to make an official announcement on the suspension, but Twins' general manager Terry Ryan said Saturday that he tested positive for recreational drug use, not performance-enhancing drugs. Thompson, 25, signed a minor league deal with the Twins this winter after spending last season in the Pirates' organization.