MINNEAPOLIS, Dec. 8 (UPI) -- The Minnesota Twins Tuesday moved to cut ties with right-hander Boof Bonser and said right-hander Carl Pavano has agreed to arbitration.
The club, which won the American League Central in 2009, designated Bonser, who missed the season while recovering from right shoulder surgery, for release or assignment. Bonser, 28, was 3-7 with a 5.93 earned-run average in 2008 and overall was 18-25 with a 5.12 ERA in 163 games for the Twins.
Pavano, on the other hand, went 5-4 with a 4.64 ERA in 12 starts after being acquired from Cleveland and played a solid role in the Twins' push for the division title. His career mark stands at 80-78 with a 4.44 ERA during stints with Montreal, Florida, the New York Yankees, the Indians and the Twins.
Pavano, 33, informed the Twins before the Monday night deadline he was willing to arbitrate and is now locked in for the 2010 season, joining expected starting right-handers Nick Blackburn, Scott Baker and Kevin Slowey.
The fifth spot in the rotation is up for grabs, with left-handers Glen Perkins, Brian Duensing and Francisco Liriano, and right-handers Anthony Swarzak and Jeff Manship in the mix.
