Making Room for Nolasco?

[stringer bell]

It looks like Yohan Pino might have a chance to stay with the Twins after all:

 

http://blogs.twincities.com/twins/2014/08/13/twinsights-severe-ankle-sprain-send-anthony-swarzak-disabled-list/

 

Conveniently, an injury has cropped up that could put Pino in long relief. In addition, he or someone currently pitching at Rochester could make a start in the split doubleheader against the Tigers.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Wait a minute -- Swarzak was in a walking boot on Sunday, apparently set to be inactive until a Friday re-evaluation... why the heck don't we just put him on the DL?  With 2 open spots on the 40-man, that's  a perfect time to audition another reliever, if only for a week until Nolasco comes back.

[Physics Guy]

That article doesn't make sense.  Walking boot on Sunday when he injured it on Saturday, but then he explains it happened in an Astro's game we lost 10-4 (which was on Tuesday).  Anybody else confused? 

[stringer bell]

I think Beradino got the day wrong. Swarzak pitched on the 12th against Houston. That had to be when the injury took place.

[Otto von Ballpark]

That makes more sense.

 

In any case, if my mop-up man ever needs a walking boot, I think I automatically put him on the DL, with few exceptions.

[James]

That makes more sense.

 

In any case, if my mop-up man ever needs a walking boot, I think I automatically put him on the DL, with few exceptions.

True, but you don't need the roster spot right now.  You're probably not going to call up someone for one day just in case you need them.  

 

He didn't play yesterday, so the can always put him on the DL tomorrow and make it retroactive if he needs to go on the DL.  Not a big deal at all.

[Otto von Ballpark]

True, but you don't need the roster spot right now.  You're probably not going to call up someone for one day just in case you need them.  

 

He didn't play yesterday, so the can always put him on the DL tomorrow and make it retroactive if he needs to go on the DL.  Not a big deal at all.

The updated timing (Tuesday injury, Thursday off day) makes more sense, but I think the Twins should be actively looking for ways to audition players over these remaining 7 weeks.  The next 2 weeks of Swarzak mean nothing to us, or to him, really.  Could mean a lot more for Guerra, Oliveros, Achter, or even Kris Johnson out of the pen, etc.

[James]

The updated timing (Tuesday injury, Thursday off day) makes more sense, but I think the Twins should be actively looking for ways to audition players over these remaining 7 weeks.  The next 2 weeks of Swarzak mean nothing to us, or to him, really.  Could mean a lot more for Guerra, Oliveros, Achter, or even Kris Johnson out of the pen, etc.

I agree with you completely.  The Twins should definitely be auditioning young guys, and I believe the definitely will in September.  

 

But these few weeks are important to Nolasco too.  It's important to show he can return to his former self to give everyone more confidence in next year.  

 

They could still option Pino to AAA and bring someone up for the pen as well as putting Swarzak on the DL.  

 

With the updated timing, there doesn't seem to be much controversy here... yet.  

[jokin]

The updated timing (Tuesday injury, Thursday off day) makes more sense, but I think the Twins should be actively looking for ways to audition players over these remaining 7 weeks.  

 

The next 2 weeks of Swarzak mean nothing to us, or to him, really.  

 

Could mean a lot more for Guerra, Oliveros, Achter, or even Kris Johnson out of the pen, etc.

 

Isn't there still an outside chance that Swarzak is trade bait?  The 15 day DL would derail that (admittedl) small chance.

[jokin]

I agree with you completely.  The Twins should definitely be auditioning young guys, and I believe the definitely will in September.  

 

But these few weeks are important to Nolasco too.  It's important to show he can return to his former self to give everyone more confidence in next year.  

 

They could still option Pino to AAA and bring someone up for the pen as well as putting Swarzak on the DL.  

 

With the updated timing, there doesn't seem to be much controversy here... yet.  

 Not much controversy...yet...?  Wait until Pelfrey pokes his nose back into the conversation.  He sits on the bench each day, I'm assuming that he's planning on rejoining the team in September with the intention of getting a few starts himself.

[adjacent]

 Not much controversy...yet...?  Wait until Pelfrey pokes his nose back into the conversation.  He sits on the bench each day, I'm assuming that he's planning on rejoining the team in September with the intention of getting a few starts himself.

Maybe I am wrong but I remember reading that ptching this year was already ruled out for him.

[ScottyB]

Maybe I am wrong but I remember reading that ptching this year was already ruled out for him.

 

Correct - he is out for the year.

[jokin]

Correct - he is out for the year.

 

Do you have a link for this information?  Here is the latest I can find, from July 15, and again on July 30. It seems to somewhat contradict your statement, unless there is something more definitive out there I've yet to find:

 

 

 

 

1)- Twins right-hander Mike Pelfrey has circled Sept. 3 for his first possible bullpen session following June 10 surgery to decompress a nerve in his throwing elbow.

Could Pelfrey make it back to the mound by the end of the season?

“Mike is a competitor,” agent Scott Boras said of his client. “I want to make sure he’s healthy and ready for next year. If he can do that and pitch this year, fine, but we have to take a look at that.”

 

2)- Twins right-hander Mike Pelfrey (elbow nerve surgery) started a throwing program as he works toward a Sept. 3 bullpen session.

[drunksam]

Even with an early Sept. Bullpen session there is no chance for a rehab assignment outside of a simulated game. I see no reason to throw him into live mlb action that rusty. I'm safely assuming he's done for the season.

[DuluthFan]

Just because there are open spots on the 40 man roster right now, it doesn't mean they need to immediately fill them. You don't want to start adding and dropping people from the roster if there is no pressing need. There are several instances that could come up where they will need some roster flexibility. The August trading period has not ended. The Twins may acquire another player that needs a 40 man roster spot (Milone). Injuries at the major league level could occur that requires you to add another player at a specific position. If the roster was full you would then need to drop someone you just added.

 

You also must consider carefully who you call up and add to the roster. While it may seem like a good idea to add players just to try them out, you have to also consider the negatives. If you add then later drop a player from the 40 man roster, you have to expose him to waivers. If you end up adding and dropping that player a second time, he can choose to become a free agent. During the season, the only ways to lose minor league players to other teams is by trade and by DFA / waiving players. You don't want to add to possibilities by allowing a player to become a free agent midseason.

[jokin]

Even with an early Sept. Bullpen session there is no chance for a rehab assignment outside of a simulated game. I see no reason to throw him into live mlb action that rusty. I'm safely assuming he's done for the season.

 

Yeah, I just noticed that AAA ends a whole week earlier this year than in 2013.  But Pelfrey could throw at instructs and still have a shot at a start or two before the season ends, I wonder what Boras will push for, he seems to get whatever he wants from the Twins, re Pelfrey....