Former backup Phillies infielder Johan Camargo is headed to the Twins.
Nearly one year after the Philadelphia Phillies signed veteran infielder Johan Camargo to a one-year contract, the 28-year-old Panama native is headed to the American League Central.
According to the Minnesota Twins’ official transactions page, the club signed the switch-hitter to a minor-league contract on Sunday.
UPDATE, 4:22 p.m. (11/27): 5 Eyewitness News’ Darren Wolfson reports that MLB.com’s transaction page “has a typo.” The Twins have instead re-signed catcher Jair Camargo.
Across 52 games and 166 plate appearances in a Phillies uniform last season, Camargo slashed .237/.297/.316 with three doubles, three home runs, 15 RBI, 13 walks and 37 strikeouts. In the field, Camargo played shortstop (186 innings), third base (90 2/3), second base (55 1/3) and first base (26) — committing only one error across 161 chances.
Most of Camargo’s playing time in red pinstripes came under then-manager Joe Girardi in the first two-plus months of the season, filling in for injured shortstop Didi Gregorius. In early June, Camargo landed on the 10-day injured list with a right knee strain. He was soon reactivated, but was shortly after placed on the IL again with the same injury.
😤 ¡JOHAN CAMARGO! 😤#SuenaLaCampana pic.twitter.com/frDPMDIFKX
— Phillies de Filadelfia (@losphillies) April 20, 2022
Once President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski acquired infielder Edmundo Sosa from the St. Louis Cardinals, that all but spelled the end for Camargo as a Phillies big-leaguer. Camargo was designated for assignment and passed through waivers unclaimed in late September.
Perhaps Camargo’s most memorable game in a Phillies uniform was during a 9-6 road win against the Colorado Rockies on April 20. In the top of the seventh, he launched a three-run home run that extended the team’s lead from two to five runs. Camargo had four hits overall in the game.
Camargo slashed .318/.348/.432 as late as April 24. He would finish the year slashing just .204/.277/.269.
Before joining the Phillies, Camargo played five seasons with the Atlanta Braves, including 15 games during their 2021 World Series championship season.