Minnesota Twins catcher Derek Bender has been released by the team after it was discovered that he had 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 playing in Low-A while waiting for his chance in the major leagues.
That won’t be happening anytime soon, however, as the Twins released him on Thursday following an incident while playing for the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels.
According ESPNBender was found to have told opposing Lakeland Flying Tigers batters the type of pitch they would face from starter Ross Dunn at the plate during at-bats on Sept. 6.
Lakeland scored four runs in the second inning and won the game 6-0, eliminating 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 shocking revelation on Thursday.
According to ESPN sources, Bender had told his teammates that he “wanted the season to end.”
Their actions were reportedly discovered after Lakeland coaches notified Fort Myers about the field rollover after the game, and there is no indication of wrongdoing on the part of the Flying Tigers, who are said to have been “shocked” by the information.
Bender was selected 188th overall in this year’s draft and was signed for $297,500. He will reportedly keep his full bonus despite being released.
He played 19 games for Fort Myers in the Low-A division, but spent the final two games of the season in the bullpen instead of his usual spot in the dugout.
