Twins' Mike Pelfrey 'kind of disappointed, frustrated' with move to bullpen

Mike Pelfrey has spent most of his major league career as a starter, and he is not pleased with the thought of being used as a reliever with the Twins in 2015. According to Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pelfrey said he was "kind of disappointed, frustrated, and a little upset" with the move to the bullpen.

Pelfrey, 31, was told he would be pitching out of Minnesota's bullpen this season after the Twins announced Tommy Milone would be their fifth starter on Saturday. Milone, Pelfrey, and Trevor May were all battling for the club's fifth starter spot, with Milone ultimately winning the competition. Milone posted a 4.50 ERA in four outings but has a 32-23 record since 2011.

As a result of a groin strain and surgery to relieve pressure on the ulnar nerve near his elbow, according to NBC Sports' D.J. Short, Pelfrey made just five starts last season. In 23.2 major league innings in 2014, he posted a 7.99 ERA and 7.57 FIP.

However, he has had a solid spring, posting a 1.32 ERA in 13.2 innings pitched. While he has been able to limit damage this spring, Pelfrey has allowed 15 hits and walked two over that span.

Pelfrey is due $5.5 million entering the final year of his two-year deal, and since he was informed he would not be in the team's starting rotation is open to being traded before the start of the regular season. Berardino adds Pelfrey would have to "approve a domotion to the minor leagues" because of his service time, but Pelfrey told Berardino a minor league assignment is "not an option."

Although Pelfrey is open to being dealt, there may not be a notable amount of interest because of his age. He had Tommy John surgery after signing with the Twins in 2013, and has posted a 5.56 ERA in 34 starts over the last two seasons. Last June, he had a procedure on his throwing elbow, and as a result of his health, a trade may not be realistic.