Twins gets Kevin Jepsen from Rays as they try to keep up in the AL

Coming into Friday, the Minnesota Twins were one of five teams that hadn’t made a trade this week. Considering they’re currently a wild-card team and the rest of the American League is racing to catch them, the Twins needed to do something.

[Friday Daily Fantasy contest: Turn $5 into $5K]

Their first move is in the books: They’ve acquired relief pitcher Kevin Jepsen from the Tampa Bay Rays, according to Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal. The return for the Rays is two minor leaguers. SB Nation’s Chris Cotillo is reporting they’re pitchers Chih-Wei Hu and Alexis Tapia.

The Twins, a surprising 53-48, are hoping to bolster a bullpen that is seventh-worst in MLB. Jepsen has a 2.81 ERA in 46 games this year in Tampa, so he should help. Previously, he pitched his entire career for the Angels before being traded for Matt Joyce last December.

The Twins are chasing the Royals in the AL Central (they’re eight games back) and trying to fend off the likes of the Toronto Blue Jays for a wild card. Those teams have gotten better in trade season, it was time the Twins did too.

[Follow our trade deadline tracker for the latest MLB news and rumors.]

Now we see if this is their last move before Friday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline. Might the Twins, sensing an opportunity to get into the playoffs, go grab one of the available bats on the market? Wouldn’t be the worst idea.

More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports: