Butera optioned to Triple-A: Other clubs interested in Minnesota Twins catcher

March 21, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Minnesota Twins catcher Drew Butera (41) works out prior to the game against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota Twins manager Ron Gardenhire stuck to his word and will enter the season with two catchers, in order to have more pop off the bench.

Catcher Drew Butera was one of the many cuts the club made Monday morning.

Butera, 29, signed a one-year $700,000 deal this offseason with the intention of playing some games for Minnesota. Despite not opening the season on the 25-man roster, Butera will likely be called up at some point in the season.

Other clubs around the league are interested in the defensive specialist, but Minnesota would rather stash him away at Triple-A, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. It is no secret the team values his defense and ability to manage the game behind the plate. The Twins stuck with Butera despite three sub-.200 batting seasons from 2010 to last season.

“I’m going to have a better bench this year,” Gardenhire said in February. “I told Terry [Ryan, the general manager], I’d like to have more pop off the bench.”

Outfielder Wilkin Ramirez is likely to open the season as the primary pinch-hitter. The 27-year-old is locked and loaded, batting .425 so far in Spring Training.