Duffey was recalled from Triple-A Rochester on Thursday, Brandon Warne of ZoneCoverage.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Duffey has appeared in three games for the Twins this season, accruing a disastrous 13.50 ERA and 2.25 WHIP with four strikeouts across 5.1 innings. He figures to offer assistance out of the Minnesota bullpen during his latest stint in the major leagues.

Duffey was optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Sunday, Brandon Warne of The Athletic Minnesota reports.

EDGE Analysis

Duffey gave up one run over three innings during Sunday's 8-2 loss to the Reds. Since being recalled from Rochester on April 24, Duffey has thrown 5.1 innings over three games, during which he's surrendered four home runs. The Twins plan on announcing a corresponding move before Monday's game against the Blue Jays.

Duffey was recalled from Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

The 27-year-old has been outstanding out of the bullpen for the Red Wings, tossing 11 scoreless innings to start the season to go with a 14:1 K:BB in that span. Duffey will head to the majors to offer bullpen help, though he'll likely start out in middle relief until he proves he can get big league hitters out.

Duffey was optioned to Triple-A Rochester where he will remain a long reliever, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Duffey was contending for the fifth starter job but that will now go to Phil Hughes. Duffey will stay in a swing man role in the minors and likely return to the majors in early April. Still, it's a surprise that the veteran was sent to the minors. It's likely a sign the Twins will be aggressive in rotating the back end of their bullpen between Triple-A and the majors.

Duffey gave up two runs (one earned) over three innings to lower his ERA to 4.66 this spring. He's still in the mix for the fifth starter job, but may end up in the bullpen, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Twins have a need for a fifth starter in the first four to six weeks before Ervin Santana is set to return from a finger injury. Duffey is competing against Phil Hughes for that role, but he more likely will begin the season in the bullpen and serve as a long reliever and swingman.

Duffey will compete for a spot in the Twins rotation this spring, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Duffey's chances of claiming a starting gig to open the season looked more promising when pitchers and catchers reported to spring camp last week, but after the club acquired Jake Odorizzi from the Rays on Saturday, it appears only one rotation spot is truly up for grabs at this point. Though all 56 of Duffey's appearances came in relief last season, he was often called upon to record more than three outs and made 36 starts the prior two seasons for the Twins, so building up stamina to work more innings shouldn't be an issue for the right-hander. In addition to Duffey, free-agent pickup Anibal Sanchez and a healthy Phil Hughes look like the top candidates for the No. 5 spot in the rotation, with the pitchers' performance in the spring likely to dictate whom receives the nod. Duffey's surface numbers over the past two seasons (5.91 ERA, 1.45 WHIP in 204 innings) aren't impressive, but his 4.38 FIP, .334 BABIP and low 62.3 percent strand rate over that span suggest bad luck may explain some of his struggles.

Duffey will be stretched out in spring training in order to pitch more innings, Darren Wolfson of 1500 am ESPN Twin Cities reports

EDGE Analysis

It's not clear if Duffey will be used in long relief or try to compete for a job in the starting rotation. Duffey moved to the bullpen last season after struggling as a starter in 2016, and he showed signs of improvement despite declining late in the season. He had a 2.10 ERA in his first 17 outings, but a 6.55 ERA after May 30. Duffey will likely move to a lower profile role in any scenario after the Twins boosted their bullpen with the offseason additions of Addison Reed and Fernando Rodney.

Duffey likely won't be able to pitch again until Thursday after registering a three-inning save in the second game of Monday's doubleheader, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports..

EDGE Analysis

After struggling in July with a 7.36 ERA, Duffey has given up just one run in 9.1 innings with a 7.7 K/9 in August.

Duffey has struck out 46 with a WHIP of 1.35 in 46.2 innings in his first season as a reliever.

EDGE Analysis

After coming up the Twins' farm system as a starter, Minnesota watched him struggle in the rotation for two seasons before deciding to put him in the bullpen. Now as a reliever, Duffey has been able to pump up his velocity to averaging 92 mph. The move hasn't helped his control much however, as hitters are batting .350 against him for the second season in a row, a frightful sight for fantasy owners.

Duffey has an ERA of 3.68 and 9.6 K/9 in his first season as a reliever.

EDGE Analysis

It's beginning to look like the Twins made the right choice in moving their young pitcher to the bullpen. After posting an ERA of 6.43 with 7.7 K/9 in 26 starts last season, the right-handed reliever has shown great improvement in both categories this season. Add on the six holds he's recorded along the way, and this season could be the start of a bright future for the 26-year-old.