Alex Meyer headed back to minors, unsure of future role with Twins

Former University of Kentucky standout Alex Meyer was one of nine players cut from the Minnesota Twins’ spring roster on Thursday.

The decision to option Meyer leaves the 26-year-old’s career in limbo; after spending the final four months of the 2015 season in the bullpen at Triple-A Rochester, it’s possible Meyer might return to starting again.

“It’s kind of 50-50 right now. They’re trying to decide,” Meyer said Thursday , shortly after being told he was being sent down again. “They asked me — I told them I enjoy relieving, but obviously I’m going to do whatever [they] want me to do. So I don’t really know.”

Meyer, once regarded as a potential top-of-the-rotation prospect after being obtained in a trade with the Nationals, remains optimistic that his persistent hangup — command of his fastball — can be solved. Meyer walked four batters in 4 2/3 innings this spring, striking out three, and allowing three runs.

“It’s the same as always — If I’m throwing strikes, I’m fine. If I get behind, no one is going to be successful [that way],” he said. “I felt way better my last two times out with it. I finally said, look, I’m going to try something a little different. I’m not going to think about it as much, just stay back and just throw it. Since then, I felt better.”

This story was originally published March 18, 2016 at 4:43 PM with the headline "Alex Meyer headed back to minors, unsure of future role with Twins."