Minnesota Twins catcher Derek Bender has been released by the team after it was found that he tipped off opponents during a minor-league game last week.
Bender was selected in the sixth round of the draft out of Coastal Carolina in July, and had been plying his trade in Low-A while waiting for his chance in the major leagues.
That won’t be coming any time soon, though, after he was released by the Twins on Thursday following an incident while playing for the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels.
According to ESPN, it was found that Bender told opposing Lakeland Flying Tigers hitters the type of pitch they would be facing from starter Ross Dunn at the plate during at-bats on September 6.
Lakeland scored four runs in the second inning and won the game 6-0, which eliminated Fort Myers from playoff contention in the Florida State League West Division.
Derek Bender looks on during one of his final college games with Coastal Carolina in April
Bender (left) was released by the Minnesota Twins after a shock revelation on Thursday
According to ESPN’s sources, Bender had told teammates he ‘wanted the season to be over’.
His actions were reportedly discovered after Lakeland coaches notified Fort Myers about the pitch tipping after the game, and there is no indication of wrongdoing from the Flying Tigers – who are said to have been ‘surprised’ at the information.
Bender was selected with the 188th overall pick of this year’s draft, and was signed for $297,500. He will reportedly keep the entirety of his bonus despite being cut.
He played 19 games for Fort Myers in the Low-A division, but spent the final two games of the season in the bullpen rather than his usual place in the dugout.
