Wimmers promoted, makes successful MLB debut

TORONTO — With his Minor League season winding down at Triple-A Rochester, Alex Wimmers was cleaning up his home in western New York last week when his wife urged him to take his passport with him for the Red Wings’ upcoming eight-game road trip in fear of losing it.

Little did Wimmers realize how crucial the document would be.

On Friday, the Minnesota Twins selected the right-hander’s contract to replace Jose Berrios, who was optioned following Thursday’s loss vs. Detroit.

It’s the first career callup for the 27-year-old Wimmers, who was selected in the first round of the 2010 Draft out of Ohio State. And he immediately made his Major League debut, fanning two and retiring the Blue Jays in order during the eighth inning of Minnesota’s 15-8 loss. 

“We were leaving Norfolk, on our way, I was on a bus going to Scranton, so it was a half hour into the drive and Chad Allen was on the bus, our hitting coach. He got the call from our manager, and he ended up telling me in front of everybody. It was pretty cool,” Wimmers said.

“When Chad asked me if I had my passport, I thought for a second, ‘You know what? I do have my passport.'”

It’s been a long road to the big leagues for Wimmers. Regarded as one of the best collegiate pitchers when drafted — he was twice named the Big Ten Pitcher of the Year with the Buckeyes — Wimmers started out well with Class A Advanced Fort Meyers, going 2-0 in four starts with a 0.57 ERA in …

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