Kintzler suddenly garnering plenty of interest

BOSTON — When Brandon Kintzler signed a Minor League deal with the Twins in December, he never imagined he’d be the closer at any point this season.

Kintzler was just looking for a team to give him a shot to prove he was healthy after undergoing knee surgery after the 2014 season and spending time last season rehabbing the injury. Kintzler, who pitched with the Brewers from 2010-15, has proved he’s healthy and much more, as he’s been a pleasant surprise with a 2.12 ERA and converting all seven of his save opportunities entering Saturday, including his escape act in Friday’s 2-1 win over the Red Sox, when he loaded the bases with nobody out with David Ortiz at the plate, only to get out of the jam.

“I never thought it would happen,” Kintzler said of being the closer. “I was just trying to revive my career, really. The opportunity presented itself and I took advantage of it. I tried to tell teams that if I were healthy, I’d be good, but no one believed me besides the Twins.”

Kintzler’s success is largely tied to his sinker, as he had a 62.4 …

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