Last-place Twins fire longtime GM Terry Ryan

The Minnesota Twins jettisoned long time general manager Terry Ryan, the club announced on Monday.

Ryan, a former Twins pitching prospect, had served as the team’s executive vice president and GM since November 2011. It was his second stint as GM with the franchise.

Vice president and assistant general manager Rob Antony will take over Ryan’s duties on an interim basis.

“Terry has been a gifted leader of the baseball department for over 18 seasons,” Twins owner and CEO Jim Pohlad said. “It is impossible to overstate his contribution to our game, our team and the Upper Midwest baseball community. The decision to part ways with Terry was difficult, painful and not obvious.”

The move comes two weeks before the trade deadline.

The Twins (33-58) have the worst record in the American League and haven’t made the playoffs since 2010.