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Clete Thomas | Outfielder

Team: Minnesota Twins
Age / DOB:  (29) / 11/14/1983
Ht / Wt:  5'11' / 195
Bats / Throws: Left / Right
Contract: view contract details
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Latest News

Recent News

Twins re-signed OF Clete Thomas to a minor league contract.
Thomas made the Tigers' Opening Day roster last season, but struggled mightily with the Twins after being claimed off waivers. The 29-year-old outfielder will likely serve as veteran insurance in the minors. Sun, Dec 16, 2012 10:01:00 PM

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Player News

Date:

Twins sent OF Clete Thomas outright to Triple-A Rochester.

Thomas was designated for assignment Friday but has cleared waivers and will remain with the organization. Given his woeful performance with the Twins, it's unlikely we'll see him again anytime soon.
Sun, May 6, 2012 01:40:00 PM

Twins designated OF Clete Thomas for assignment.

He takes the spot of Erik Komatsu, who was claimed off waivers. Thomas batted just .143/.172/.286 with 16 strikeouts in 28 at-bats in his time in Minnesota.
Fri, May 4, 2012 02:22:00 PM

Clete Thomas will make his Twins debut in right field Sunday.

Thomas was claimed off waivers from the Tigers Saturday and will likely be used in a platoon with Trevor Plouffe. Ryan Doumit also figures to be in the mix in right field.
Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:02:00 PM

Twins claimed OF Clete Thomas off waivers from the Tigers.

Thomas was designated for assignment Wednesday after failing to get an at-bat in three games with Detroit. He'll likely serve as outfield depth with the Twins, and provide veteran insurance behind Denard Span and Josh Willingham.
Sat, Apr 14, 2012 01:13:00 PM

Tigers designated OF Clete Thomas for assignment.

The 28-year-old outfielder did not get an at-bat in five games with the Tigers. Thomas seems likely to pass through waivers and accept an organizational depth role at Triple-A Toledo.
Wed, Apr 11, 2012 04:08:00 PM

Clete Thomas went 2-for-3 with a homer, three RBI and a walk Sunday in the Tigers' 11-7 defeat of the Nationals.

Thomas, who has remained on the Tigers' 40-man roster even though he hasn't seen time with the team since 2009, is trying to overtake Andy Dirks for a roster spot. Thomas is the better outfielder and he might be able to post the higher OBP of the two, but Dirks, who went 2-for-2 today and is hitting .429 this spring, still seems to rate the edge right now. Thomas is hitting .281 in 32 at-bats.
Sun, Mar 18, 2012 04:57:00 PM

The Tigers have sent Clete Thomas to the instructional league as insurance for their outfield.

Thomas hasn't played in the majors since 2009 after undergoing microfracture surgery on his knee last June. The 27-year-old batted .251/.314/.401 with 12 homers, 20 stolen bases and a .715 OPS over 406 plate appearances this season with Triple-A Toledo. He was mentioned as a possibility to replace the injured Magglio Ordonez on the roster for the ALCS, but the Tigers opted to activate Delmon Young, who is starting in left field for Game 2.
Mon, Oct 10, 2011 04:07:00 PM

If the Tigers replace Magglio Ordonez on the ALCS roster with a minor leaguer, it will be Clete Thomas, according to Jon Morosi of FoxSports.com.

The left-handed hitting Thomas hasn't played in the majors since 2009 after undergoing microfracture surgery on his knee last June. The 27-year-old can still run, however, swiping 20 bases at Triple-A this year (albeit with a weak .251/.314/.401 line in 406 plate appearances). Detroit might simply wait to see if Delmon Young improves enough to return to the roster. Young was left off the Tigers' ALCS roster due to an oblique injury. Stay tuned.
Sun, Oct 9, 2011 06:11:00 PM

Tigers optioned OF Clete Thomas to Triple-A Toledo.

Thomas might be fully recovered from his microfracture knee surgery but he posted a weak .668 OPS in 17 games this spring and failed to impress his way onto the Tigers' Opening Day roster. Look for him to resurface down the road as a backup outfielder and lefty bench bat.
Tue, Mar 22, 2011 08:49:00 AM

Clete Thomas said he's "raring to go" after undergoing microfracture surgery on his knee last June.

There aren't many microfracture success stories in baseball, but Thomas was able to hit by mid-December and has already resumed running. The 27-year-old currently finds himself out of options, but if healthy, he has a chance to win a spot as a reserve outfielder and left-handed bat off the bench.
Tue, Feb 15, 2011 07:20:00 PM

Tigers optioned OF Clete Thomas to Triple-A Toledo.

They didn't even wait to see the results of his MRI. Thomas, 26, has been battling a sore shoulder since getting beaned with a Marc Rzepczynski pitch earlier this week. He went 14-for-26 this spring with a home run, three RBI and seven walks, but will have to fight his way back to the bigs via Toledo. The Tigers' 25-man roster is now set for Opening Day.
Wed, Mar 31, 2010 11:20:00 AM

Clete Thomas underwent an MRI Wednesday on his sore right shoulder.

Thomas also had X-rays taken earlier this week, but they came back negative and his shoulder soreness persists. He's been able to take batting practice but can't currently throw. Chances are he winds up on the disabled list or in minor league camp to open the regular season.
Source: MLBlogs.com
Wed, Mar 31, 2010 10:41:00 AM

X-rays on Clete Thomas' right shoulder came back negative.

Thomas was hit in the right shoulder blade by Blue Jays pitcher Marc Rzepczynski during Thursday's game. He's currently listed as day-to-day.
Fri, Mar 26, 2010 12:57:00 PM

Clete Thomas (shoulder) is out of the lineup against the Braves on Friday.

Thomas was plunked in the right shoulder blade by Blue Jays pitcher Marc Rzepczynski on Thursday. He's still a candidate to make the team off the bench.
Fri, Mar 26, 2010 11:13:00 AM

Depth Charts

Batters
PosRoleName
C1Joe Mauer
1B1Justin Morneau
2Chris Colabello
2B1Brian Dozier
2Jamey Carroll
SS1Pedro Florimon Jr.
2Eduardo Escobar
3B1Trevor Plouffe
LF1Josh Willingham
2Wilkin Ramirez
CF1Aaron Hicks
2Darin Mastroianni
RF1Oswaldo Arcia
2Chris Parmelee
DH1Ryan Doumit
Starting Pitcher
PosRoleName
S1Scott Diamond
2Kevin Correia
3Mike Pelfrey
Relief Pitcher
PosRoleName
R1Glen Perkins
2Jared Burton
3Josh Roenicke
4Casey Fien
5Brian Duensing
6Anthony Swarzak
7Ryan Pressly
8Tim Wood
9Caleb Thielbar