Minnesota Twins Opening Day Roster

[Seth Stohs]

On Thursday morning, the Minnesota Twins announced their official Opening Day, 30-man roster and taxi squad.The Twins start their season on Friday, but on Thursday morning, their Opening Day roster was announced.

 

Pitchers

Homer Bailey - SP

Jose Berrios - Opening Day SP

Tyler Clippard

Randy Dobnak

Tyler Duffey

Rich Hill - SP

Zack Littell

Kenta Maeda - SP

Trevor May

Taylor Rogers

Sergio Romo

Devin Smeltzer

Cody Stashak

Lewis Thorpe

Matt Wisler

 

No big surprises here. With Jake Odorizzi starting the season on the IL, it's likely his start just gets skipped due to off days. But Dobnak, Smeltzer and Thorpe all make the team.

Catchers

Alex Avila

Mitch Garver

 

Again, no surprises here. Astudillo would have been an option, but he's yet to officially be cleared. He'll likely need some time in St. Paul before he would be activated as well.

 

Infielders

Ehire Adrianza

Luis Arraez

Josh Donaldson

Marwin Gonzalez

Jorge Polanco

Miguel Sano

 

The infield is covered pretty well and there are backups at each spot if needed.

Outfielders

Byron Buxton

Jake Cave

Max Kepler

Eddie Rosario

LaMonte Wade, Jr.

Aaron Whitefield

 

The surprise name here is clearly Aaron Whitefield. However, with his speed, he is a great candidate for pinch-running duties, particularly in extra innings. He also is a plus defensive center fielder and stated playing some in the corners last year.

 

Designated Hitter

Nelson Cruz

 

He's good.

 

Taxi Squad

RHP Jorge Alcala

C Tomas Telis

LHP Caleb Thielbar

 

One has to be a catcher, and Telis certainly makes the most sense. They're going to be smart with risking adding Ryan Jeffers to the 40-man roster, and Telis hit .330 in Rochester last year. Alcala and Thielbar both pitched in Wednesday's exhibition against the Cubs. Both are big league pitchers just hoping for an opportunity.

 

10 Day Injured List

Willians Astudillo

Jake Odorizzi

 

Restricted List

Michael Pineda

Fernando Romero

 

What are your thoughts on the Twins 2020 Opening Day roster?

 

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[Minny505]

Is it Friday yet?

[AceWrigley]

Coming to America . . . where's Fernando?

[071063]

No Blankenhorn is a little surprising.

[Danchat]

This is about what I expected, minus Blankenhorn and instead Whitefield. He’ll probably be used like Ian Miller was last year.

 

Do the taxi guys not need to be on the 40 man roster? Thielbar and Telis would need to be added, so I’m guessing the answer is no.

 

Wait, but that means Whitefield needs to be added to the 40 man roster... if they needed a speedy OF, why not Celestino?

[gunnarthor]

Dumb question but are the minor leagues playing this year? 

 

On Whitefield (and I know i mentioned this before) but I have a friend who is an international scout for the Royals based in the pacific. He covers SE Asia and Australia and urged the Royals to sign Whitefield. When the Twins nabbed him he sent me a note saying the Twins robbed him. He used colorful language.  

[Ben Noble]

Like others, I expected to see Blankenhorn and would’ve picked Celestino over Whitefield. I don’t really know much about Whitefield other than that I think he played softball at the international level before making the switch to baseball. That alone should make him a fun player to follow!

[howeda7]

What's the story on Romero?

[jud6312]

 

This is about what I expected, minus Blankenhorn and instead Whitefield. He’ll probably be used like Ian Miller was last year.

Do the taxi guys not need to be on the 40 man roster? Thielbar and Telis would need to be added, so I’m guessing the answer is no.

Wait, but that means Whitefield needs to be added to the 40 man roster... if they needed a speedy OF, why not Celestino?

 

I was expecting Blankenhorn and would've preferred him or Celestino over Whitefield, who it appears hasn't hit at all since Cedar Rapids 2 years ago.

 

I'm guessing his speed and defense could be early assets and you don't lose much if/when you have to make room on the 40 for someone else. Other than that, service time more important on the other 2?

[twins_89]

Whitefield will have to be added to the 40 man roster, but I believe they have a couple of open spots due to Pineda and Romero being on the restricted list.

[Doctor Gast]

Like everyone I was surprised about Whitefield. I was also surprised w/ them playing Kepler in CF in last nite`s exhibition game. Hoping they wouldn`t play him at all there this year & they go out & do it the last preseason game. IMO Wade should`ve had the experience before the season if Buxton isn`t out htere

[IndianaTwin]

Fifteen. 

 

I look at the roster and say, "Even the 15th dude on the staff has the ability to contribute." 

 

I like that. 

[rdehring]

Really liked what I saw of Alcala last night. Wow, that was some heat.

 

Understand Whitefield for his baserunning. Expect he will stick for at least two weeks, then be optioned out when they need to cut to 28.

 

See a comment above about Romero and will second it. Can't begin to understand what the problem is, but after all this time it would seem to be something other than bureaucratic delays. Someone has to know what the problem is, maybe Seth? But no one seems to be talking. Where are Twins Daily's investigative reporters?

[Shaitan]

I'd ask who Whitefield is, but I bet a separate bio post is coming thanks to the many great contributors here.

 

He'll likely need some time in St. Paul before he would be activated as well.

 

 

Still gotta get used to this phrase.  

[puckstopper1]

This roster looks awesome in all areas.

 

For a roster that doesn't look so good, look at Baltimore.

 

Former Twin and offseason Orioles' minor league signing Tommy Milone will start the Orioles’ opener against Boston on Friday. 

 

Now that is BAD!

 

 

[dex8425]

 

Wait, but that means Whitefield needs to be added to the 40 man roster... if they needed a speedy OF, why not Celestino?

my educated guess would be service time consideration. That or they really wanted another Aussie to keep Thorpe company?

[Thegrin]

After watching Baily against the Cubs, I sure hope Rocko has a quick hook. He showed nothing. And Wisler should only be used for mop=up until he has proved himself.  Dang but its good to have something to worry about

[Bomba2026]

What's wrong with the Turtle? Next year Mr Bailey can pitch for Kepler or Eddie in the HR Derby maybe.

[shimrod]

"For a roster that doesn't look so good, look at Baltimore.

 

Former Twin and offseason Orioles' minor league signing Tommy Milone will start the Orioles’ opener against Boston on Friday.

 

Now that is BAD!"

 

If there was ever a season to tank, this is it. Only 60 games and no fans anyway, so you might as well suck and suck hard. Of course it happens when the Twins are all in. I can think of a couple Twins teams when the covid 60 would have been a blessing. 

[lecroy24fan]

 

Really liked what I saw of Alcala last night. Wow, that was some heat.

 

Understand Whitefield for his baserunning. Expect he will stick for at least two weeks, then be optioned out when they need to cut to 28.

 

See a comment above about Romero and will second it. Can't begin to understand what the problem is, but after all this time it would seem to be something other than bureaucratic delays. Someone has to know what the problem is, maybe Seth? But no one seems to be talking. Where are Twins Daily's investigative reporters?

 

Everything was shut down in mid-March and in the DR as of 2 weeks ago still was not open so there is nothing that can be done.

[Seth Stohs]

 

What's the story on Romero?

 

Nothing has changed since February when he couldn't get a visa, can't come to the States. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

I was expecting Blankenhorn and would've preferred him or Celestino over Whitefield, who it appears hasn't hit at all since Cedar Rapids 2 years ago.

 

I'm guessing his speed and defense could be early assets and you don't lose much if/when you have to make room on the 40 for someone else. Other than that, service time more important on the other 2?

 

Whitefield probably won't get an at bat unless there is a blowout... he's there to be a pinch runner and defensive replacement. He's nearly as fast as Buxton. HE's perfect for that role. He's also outfielder #6, so if he has to hit, they'll have someone pinch hit for him. 

[DocBauer]

Mildly scared by Odorizzi. He's had back problems before, see Tampa in 2017 for a good part of the year, though he finished strong that year. They say mild stiffness and I figured with the expanded roster he might miss a single turn and no reason for the IL. Guessing/Hoping retro will still have him missing only a start, maybe two. IIRC, they have a couple off days early so maybe this is just being overly cautious???

 

Crossing my fingers.

 

I've never been sold on Bailey, and that has nothing to do with his performance Wednesday. Healthy, though younger, he was solid to very good. Healthy again, he re-invented himself in 2019. We are not talking a top of the rotation SP. We're talking a solid, experienced 5th SP. I'm trusting the FO on this one.

 

Surprised a little by Blankenhorn not making it, even though it would only be for 2 weeks. I am borderline shocked by Whitefield. I have been a fan and hopeful supporter of his since day one. (The potential and story are just too good.) While no prospect expert the book on him is great defense with legitimate CF instincts. He has some pop and power potential. Tremendous speed and SB ability. 23yo and still a work in progress as a hitter. He has more time than Celistino at A+, so that may have been a factor. But considering a 40 man move to add him vs just keeping Celestino for a couple of weeks, I am confused.

 

Otherwise, everything makes perfect sense.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Really liked what I saw of Alcala last night. Wow, that was some heat.

 

Understand Whitefield for his baserunning. Expect he will stick for at least two weeks, then be optioned out when they need to cut to 28.

 

See a comment above about Romero and will second it. Can't begin to understand what the problem is, but after all this time it would seem to be something other than bureaucratic delays. Someone has to know what the problem is, maybe Seth? But no one seems to be talking. Where are Twins Daily's investigative reporters?

 

I think the Romero issue of not getting his visa is pretty well known... though never discussed publicly. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

I'd ask who Whitefield is, but I bet a separate bio post is coming thanks to the many great contributors here.

 

Still gotta get used to this phrase.

 

Go to google.com and search "Twins Daily" "Aaron Whitefield" and you'll get a ton... 

[Seth Stohs]

 

What's wrong with the Turtle? Next year Mr Bailey can pitch for Kepler or Eddie in the HR Derby maybe.

 

Astudillo came to MN and tested positive for COVID. Hasn't been cleared yet. 

[Jimv]

 

Astudillo came to MN and tested positive for COVID. Hasn't been cleared yet. 

 

Hope he's ok.  It's been at least a couple of weeks since he was tested, I think.

[dougd]

 

I think the Romero issue of not getting his visa is pretty well known... though never discussed publicly. 

And what is pretty well known about the Romero visa issue? He came to Minnesota on a tourist visa for the Twins Fest. Presumably he got room and board, and maybe some spending money. He returned to the DR, and got his presumably normal work visa. He flew to Atlanta with this visa in late February. https://www.twincities.com/2020/02/22/customs-issue-likely-to-keep-twins-fernando-romero-out-of-camp/

 

I don't think anything else has been revealed. My guess is that he got a five year expedited removal ban that the Twins are trying to fight. These have been increasingly common after after the “Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements Policies” Policy Memorandums issued by President Trump in 2017 and again in 2019. These Policy Memorandums have called for the expansion of the use of expedited removals.

 

They have been used against a Canadian after not having the proper work authorization to volunteer at an arts festival in Washington. In this case, the traveller was informed that he would be taking American jobs.

 

I personally know someone who flew from Norway with his father this winter to see his friends and help out on a dog race. He apparently admitted previously picking up dog**** for room and board on a tourist visa. He spent 24 hours at the Seatle airport jail and was sent back to Norway with a 5 year ban.

 

ICE is out of control. Hopefully I am wrong about this guess and it is just a normal five month snafu. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Hope he's ok.  It's been at least a couple of weeks since he was tested, I think.

 

He (And all the players) get tested every other day, I believe. He just needs to have two straight negative tests to be cleared. That could have happened already, but nothing has been announced. They've said throughout that he's been asymptomatic. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

And what is pretty well known about the Romero visa issue? He came to Minnesota on a tourist visa for the Twins Fest. Presumably he got room and board, and maybe some spending money. He returned to the DR, and got his presumably normal work visa. He flew to Atlanta with this visa in late February. https://www.twincities.com/2020/02/22/customs-issue-likely-to-keep-twins-fernando-romero-out-of-camp/

 

Yes, he was here the last weekend in January for Twins Fest... 

 

I guess I'd just say that there are probably reasons that a guy might show up at an airport, ready to come to the States and get detained and unable to still travel. 

 

The comments from Derek Falvey have basically been that they don't expect him to get over here any time soon.