Sources – Twins release minor league catcher Derek Bender for deflecting pitches

The Minnesota Twins released minor league catcher Derek Bender on Thursday after he told opposing batters during at-bats in last week’s game that knocked his team out of the playoffs, sources told ESPN.

Bender, a sixth-round draft pick out of Coastal Carolina in July, played for the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels, the Twins’ Single-A affiliate. In the second game of a Sept. 6 doubleheader, Bender told several batters from the Lakeland Flying Tigers, a Detroit farm team, the exact pitches that starter Ross Dunn was throwing, sources said.

Lakeland scored four runs in the second inning and won the game 6-0, clinching the Florida State League West Division title and knocking the Mighty Mussels out of the playoff race after Fort Myers had a six-game lead three weeks earlier.

Fort Myers coaches were informed of Bender’s pitch tip by Lakeland coaches after the game, sources said. Bender’s willingness to tip pitches surprised Lakeland players, and there was no evidence of any wrongdoing by the Flying Tigers, sources said. Bender had told teammates he wanted to finish the season, sources said.

According to sources, Bender spent the Mussels’ final two games of the season in the team’s bullpen instead of his usual dugout.

Bender declined comment through his agency. The Twins also declined comment.

Bender, a catcher and first baseman who was selected 188th this year, signed for $297,500, just under the $320,800 salary for that selection, and sources say he will keep his entire bonus.

Bender played 19 games for Fort Myers, batting .200/.273/.333 with two home runs and eight RBIs. In three seasons with Coastal Carolina, he batted .326/.408/.571 with 32 home runs and 153 RBIs in 144 games.