Twins call up Kinney> Ex-Bangor High star could earn starting role

Matt Kinney had been pitching well for the Salt Lake City Buzz, the Triple A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. So well that the 23-year-old righthander and 1995 graduate of Bangor High thought he might be called up to the big leagues when the major league teams expand their rosters in September.

But Kinney will be donning a Twins uniform sooner than he expected.

The Twins announced Sunday that they have called up Kinney, who was 5-2 with a 4.25 ERA in nine starts with Salt Lake. He was 6-1 with a 2.71 ERA in 15 starts with Double A New Britain.

Kinney’s father, Jeff Kinney, said his son is leaving Salt Lake Monday. Matt Kinney could not be reached for comment.

“It’s kind of a surprise,” Jeff Kinney said. “This is quite a bit earlier than what he expected. But he’s been pitching so well, they can see the potential there.”

Righthander Jason Ryan (0-1, 8.41 ERA) was optioned to Salt Lake to make room for Kinney on the roster.

Minnesota is 54-66 and 17 1/2 games behind Chicago in the American League Central Division. The Twins open a three-game homestand against Kansas City Tuesday.

Jeff Kinney said Matt has not received any details about how the Twins plan to utilize his skills.

“He doesn’t know when he’s going to pitch. He’ll know more [Monday]… I don’t really know, but I imagine they’re bringing him up as a starter,” he said.

Kinney has made a solid recovery from his June 1999 surgery to remove bone chips in his pitching elbow. In 1999, Kinney was 4-7 with a 7.12 ERA for New Britain and he wasn’t sure if he would play again.

Kinney worked his way back and fine-tuned his comeback in a fall league in Arizona. This year he has been throwing his fastball at a 92 mph average, and has improved his slider, curve and changeup.