How to ruin your career in 19 games

[Braves]

The Twins released catcher Derek Bender, their 2024 sixth-round pick, on Thursday for tipping pitches to opposing batters in a Low-A game last week, as first reported by ESPN and confirmed by Baseball America. Minnesota opted to release Bender following an internal investigation into the catcher’s behavior.

Bender reportedly told opposing batters which pitch types were coming from lefthanded starter Ross Dunn in a 6-0 Fort Myers loss to Lakeland on Sept. 6, the second game of a doubleheader. The loss eliminated Fort Myers from playoff contention and handed Lakeland the Florida State League West Division title.

Fort Myers staff learned of Bender’s actions following the game, which spawned an internal investigation by the Twins. Bender told teammates he wanted the season to end, according to ESPN’s report.


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