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.