MINNEAPOLIS — Left-hander Tommy Milone is headed to the bullpen, as he’s being replaced in the rotation by prospect Alex Meyer, who will make his first career start Tuesday against the Astros.
Meyer, who was called up from Triple-A Rochester on Monday to pitch in long relief, was expected to remain in relief, but will instead be a member of the rotation after excelling in three starts at Rochester.
The 6-foot-9 right-hander went 1-1 with a 1.04 ERA with 19 strikeouts and four walks in 17 1/3 innings.
Meyer is ranked as Minnesota’s No. 11 prospect by MLBPipeline.com.
Meyer, though, struggled in his season debut in a relief appearance against the Tigers in Friday’s 9-2 loss, giving up two runs on five hits and a walk in one inning.
He allowed an inherited runner to score in the eighth before getting out of a bases loaded jam with one out.
He came back out for the ninth, but gave up three hits to open the inning before recording an out.