Michael Tonkin

Michael Tonkin Bio

Michael Harvey Tonkin is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. Born on November 19, 1989, in Glendale, California, Tonkin has built a career spanning more than a decade in professional baseball. He made his Major League Baseball debut in 2013 with the Minnesota Twins and has since played for several MLB franchises, including the Atlanta Braves, New York Mets, and New York Yankees. Tonkin also spent a season in Japan with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball. Over his MLB career, he has compiled a 16–11 win-loss record with a 4.23 earned run average and 328 strikeouts.

Early Life and Background

Michael Tonkin grew up in Glendale, California, and attended Palmdale High School in Palmdale, California. During his high school years, Tonkin developed his skills as a pitcher, attracting attention from Major League Baseball scouts. His performance on the mound led to his selection in the 2008 MLB Draft, marking the beginning of his professional journey in baseball.

Path to Professional Baseball

The Minnesota Twins selected Tonkin in the 30th round, with the 906th overall pick, in the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft. This selection launched his professional career in the Twins organization. He began his minor league career with the Gulf Coast League Twins at the rookie level, where he posted a 3.27 earned run average in six appearances. The following year, he returned to the Gulf Coast League team and recorded a 3–4 win-loss record with a 3.62 ERA in 11 appearances. In 2010, Tonkin advanced to the Elizabethton Twins and the Class-A Beloit Snappers, combining for a 4–6 record and 3.40 ERA across 23 appearances between both teams.

He continued his development at Beloit in 2011, finishing with a 4–3 record, 3.87 ERA, and 69 strikeouts in 76 and two-thirds innings pitched. The 2012 season marked a significant breakthrough, as Tonkin split the year between Beloit and the High-A Fort Myers Miracle. He posted an impressive 4–1 record with a 2.08 ERA in 44 total appearances. His strong performance earned him a spot on the Twins 40-man roster on November 20, 2012. He began the 2013 season with the Double-A New Britain Rock Cats before earning a promotion to Triple-A Rochester Red Wings.

Michael Tonkin Career

Minnesota Twins (2013–2017)

On July 11, 2013, the Minnesota Twins promoted Tonkin to the major leagues for the first time. He made his MLB debut that same day, pitching one and one-third scoreless innings against the Tampa Bay Rays. Tonkin impressed in his rookie season, finishing with a 0.79 ERA in nine appearances with Minnesota.

The 2014 season saw Tonkin shuffle between Triple-A Rochester and the major league roster, appearing in 24 big league games while posting a 4.74 ERA. In 2015, he appeared in 23 and one-third innings for the Twins, recording a 3.47 ERA with 19 strikeouts. The 2016 campaign saw him post a 3–2 win-loss record with a 5.02 ERA in 65 relief appearances out of the bullpen. On May 6, 2017, the Twins designated Tonkin for assignment, and he was outrighted to Rochester on May 13. He returned to the major league roster on September 5, appearing in 16 games and posting a 5.14 ERA with 24 strikeouts in 21 innings. The Twins did not tender him a contract after the season, making him a free agent.

Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (2018)

On November 9, 2017, Tonkin signed with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball. In 2018, he appeared in 53 games for the Fighters, recording a 4–4 win-loss record with a 3.71 ERA and 33 strikeouts in 51 innings of work. After the season, he became a free agent and returned to Major League Baseball.

Minor League Journey (2019–2021)

Following his NPB stint, Tonkin signed a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers on January 8, 2019, but was released in March. He then joined the Milwaukee Brewers organization in March 2019, posting a 3–0 record and 4.26 ERA in 14 games with Triple-A San Antonio before his release in June.

Tonkin signed with the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League in June 2019. In 21 games, he posted a 3–2 record with a remarkable 0.34 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 26 and two-thirds innings. In August 2019, the Arizona Diamondbacks purchased his contract and assigned him to Triple-A Reno Aces, where he logged a 7.71 ERA in five games. He did not play in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic canceling the minor league season and was released by Arizona in May 2020.

Tonkin returned to the Long Island Ducks in March 2021, serving primarily as their closer. He earned nine saves and posted a league-leading 0.53 ERA over 17 innings pitched. In July 2021, his contract was purchased by Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League.

Atlanta Braves (2023)

On January 11, 2022, Tonkin signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves. He made 47 relief appearances for Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers, recording a 3.17 ERA with 73 strikeouts and 16 saves in 48 and one-third innings. The Braves selected his contract to the 40-man roster in November 2022.

In 2023, Tonkin earned his first major league victory since 2016 on April 11 while pitching in relief of Kyle Wright. On June 15, he threw three and one-third innings in relief, earning his first career MLB save. He appeared in 39 games for Atlanta, posting a 4.00 ERA with 36 strikeouts in 36 innings pitched. The Braves non-tendered his contract on November 17, making him a free agent.

New York Mets (2024)

On December 6, 2023, Tonkin signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the New York Mets. In three games for New York, he posted an 0–2 record with a 4.50 ERA and three strikeouts in four innings pitched. The Mets designated him for assignment on April 5, 2024.

Minnesota Twins Second Stint (April 2024)

On April 9, 2024, the Mets traded Tonkin to the Minnesota Twins for cash considerations. After one appearance where he gave up two runs in two innings, the Twins designated him for assignment on April 13.

New York Mets Second Stint (April 2024)

On April 17, 2024, Tonkin returned to the New York Mets after being claimed off waivers from the Twins. He made two appearances, allowing two runs in three innings pitched, before being designated for assignment again on April 22.

New York Yankees (2024)

On April 25, 2024, the New York Yankees claimed Tonkin off waivers. He earned his second career save on June 10. In 39 relief appearances for the Yankees, he compiled a 3.38 ERA with 57 strikeouts and two saves over 56 innings pitched. The Yankees designated him for assignment on August 25.

Minnesota Twins Third Stint (2024–2025)

On August 27, 2024, the Minnesota Twins claimed Tonkin off waivers from the Yankees. In 13 total appearances for Minnesota that season, he recorded a 3.86 ERA with 22 strikeouts across 16 and one-third innings. He began the 2025 season on the 60-day injured list due to a mild rotator cuff strain. On June 13, 2025, Tonkin was activated from the injured list but was subsequently removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Triple-A St. Paul Saints. The Twins added him back to their active roster on July 28. In 21 appearances for Minnesota, he posted a 2–1 record with a 4.88 ERA and 19 strikeouts over 24 innings. On November 6, Tonkin was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to St. Paul; he rejected the assignment and elected free agency.

Michael Tonkin Career Wins

Across his Major League Baseball career spanning from 2013 through the 2025 season, Michael Tonkin has established himself as a reliable relief pitcher with notable contributions across multiple organizations. His career MLB statistics include a 16–11 win-loss record, a 4.23 earned run average, and 328 strikeouts over 269 and two-thirds innings pitched. In Nippon Professional Baseball with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in 2018, he went 4–4 with a 3.71 ERA and 33 strikeouts in 51 innings.

MLB Highlights

Tonkin made his MLB debut on July 11, 2013, with the Minnesota Twins, pitching one and one-third scoreless innings against the Tampa Bay Rays. His standout rookie season saw him post a 0.79 ERA in nine appearances. His first career save came on June 15, 2023, with the Atlanta Braves, throwing three and one-third innings in relief. He earned his first major league victory since 2016 on April 11, 2023, while with Atlanta. His second career save came with the New York Yankees on June 10, 2024.

Independent and Minor League Highlights

Tonkin demonstrated dominant performance in independent baseball with the Long Island Ducks. In 2019, he posted a 3–2 record with a remarkable 0.34 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 26 and two-thirds innings across 21 games. His second stint with the Ducks in 2021 was even more impressive, as he recorded nine saves and led the league with a 0.53 ERA over 17 innings pitched while serving as the team’s closer.

Michael Tonkin Family

Family Background and Relationships

Michael Tonkin is married to Becky Feeney. The couple married at the end of the 2015 baseball season. Tonkin’s baseball connections extend through marriage, as his brother-in-law is Jason Kubel, who also played professionally in Major League Baseball.

Personal Life

Beyond his baseball career, Tonkin and his wife Becky welcomed their first daughter in 2019. The family has navigated the demands of a professional baseball career together, including Tonkin’s extensive travel and multiple team transitions over the years.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season presented challenges for Michael Tonkin as he began the year on the 60-day injured list due to a mild rotator cuff strain. This injury sidelined him for the early portion of the season while he recovered. On June 13, 2025, Tonkin was activated from the injured list but faced an immediate roster move, as he was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Triple-A St. Paul Saints.

The Twins added Tonkin back to their active roster on July 28, providing him with an opportunity to contribute at the major league level. In 21 appearances for Minnesota during the 2025 season, he posted a 2–1 win-loss record with a 4.88 ERA and 19 strikeouts over 24 innings. While his ERA was elevated compared to some previous seasons, he demonstrated the ability to get outs and contribute to the bullpen. On November 6, 2025, Tonkin was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to St. Paul for the second time that year. He subsequently rejected the assignment and elected free agency, opening a new chapter in his professional career.