Kinley was designated for assignment by the Twins following Wednesday's loss to the Yankees, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kinley has struggled mightily in his first taste of the majors, allowing nine runs on nine hits and four walks through 3.1 innings of work. As such, the Twins opted to drop him from their 40-man roster in exchange for a more serviceable bullpen arm. The Rule 5 pick will now be offered back offered back to the Marlins.

Kinley has secured a spot in the Twins' Opening Day bullpen, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

With Phil Hughes (oblique) expected to open the season on the disabled list, Kinley will take his spot in the team's Opening Day bullpen. Kinley, a Rule 5 pick, will have to stay on the Twins' active roster all season if they want to retain him. He struggled in spring training (5.73 across 11 innings) and at Double-A last season (5.19 ERA across 26 innings), so he likely won't see anything other than low-leverage situations with the big club.

Kinley gave up an unearned run in one inning of work in Monday's spring training loss to the Phillies. He's given up two earned runs in four innings with four strikeouts and three walks in spring training. "When he gets ahead [in the count], it's hard to cover a 90-mph slider and a 98-mph fastball," manager Paul Molitor told the Minneapolis Star Tribune. "He's an interesting character. That arm's pretty big. We're just trying to keep bringing it along."

EDGE Analysis

Kinley can reach 99 mph on his fastball but has had control issues during his minor league career (5.5 BB/9 at Double-A last year). Kinley is a Rule 5 pick, so the Twins would need to carry him on the active roster all season to retain him. That seems unlikely given the free agent additions to Minnesota's relief corps, but he has an outside chance to win a final bullpen spot.

Kinley was selected by the Twins with the 13th pick in the Rule 5 draft Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

A 26-year-old right-handed reliever, Kinley logged a 3.54 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 72 strikeouts in 53.1 innings last season between Double-A and Triple-A. The Twins will have to keep him on the active roster all season, otherwise he will be exposed to waivers and offered back to the Marlins.