This one comes as little surprise since Alcala was a dependable workhorse last season for Minnesota, compiling a solid 3.24 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 58/20 K/BB ratio across 58 1/3 innings (54 appearances). The hard-throwing 29-year-old has the stuff to pitch in high-leverage spots, but there’s almost zero path to fantasy relevance with the Twins at the moment. He’ll be a free agent next offseason, which might open some doors to save chances.

Alcala, sent down eight days ago to make room for Cole Irvin, ought to have been in the Twins pen all along. He has a 3.46 ERA in 54 2/3 innings for the club this season.

Alcala gets the boot to make room for Cole Irvin after the Twins claimed Irvin off waivers. Alcala has been a strong option for Minnesota this year, and there’s a good chance he’ll be back before the season ends, even if the team needs to do some finagling to get him back on the roster.

Alcala had one horrible outing last month in which he gave up five runs to the Rangers, but he’s been really good for the most part; he has 16 holds and a 3.46 ERA on the season. He deserves better than this, but such is the curse of having option years.