The Minnesota Twins optioned former Gophers pitcher Cole De Vries to their Triple-A club in Rochester, N.Y., the team announced Thursday.
De Vries was 1-1 with a 4.20 ERA through three starts with the Twins. He will be sent back down to the minor leagues in exchange for first baseman Chris Parmelee.
"Our starting pitching has started to settle down, which gave us the freedom to get another position player," Twins general manager Terry Ryan told the Pioneer Press.
De Vries allowed 14 hits through 15 innings pitched, but Ryan said sending him down had more to do with the Twins' flexibility at pitchers than De Vries' pitching.
"He gave us a chance to win every game he pitched," Ryan said. "We'll send him back, get the other guy up here, and when we need a fifth starter, we'll see where we're at."
Parmalee, who will be recalled in time to play Friday against the Cubs, started off the season in the majors, but his .179 batting average in 27 games with Minnesota wasn't enough to maintain it.
However, the Twins are looking for the first baseman's offense in calling him back up. Parmalee batted .375 with four home runs and 12 RBIs in 15 games with Rochester.