August 1, 20206 yr There haven't been many yet, but I'll start this today... The Twins just announced that Zack Littell (hamstring) has been placed on the 10-Day IL... Jorge Alcala recalled.
August 1, 20206 yr There haven't been many yet, but I'll start this today... The Twins just announced that Zack Littell (hamstring) has been placed on the 10-Day IL... Jorge Alcala recalled. So Alcala is coming from the taxi squad, and how exactly does that work? I assume the 3 players (Alcala, Telis, Thielbar) were traveling with the team and not working out with the 60 man pool that aren't on the 30 man roster? And do they choose a new player to join the taxi squad since Alcala has been elevated?
August 2, 20206 yr Sorry to hear this for Littell as I really, really like him and think he's found his spot. Some think he could take his stuff and limited MLB experience and move back to the rotation. Could He? I think it's an interesting arguement. But my feeling is he has found his role and my personal belief is Duran and Balazovic will surpass him soon as any SP option, and Thorpe is a guy I still have great faith in. I feel bad for him as I believe in him despite one bad outing. But even in a short season, there is so much time for him to make an important contribution this year. I am surprised Alcala is the guy brought up. I really thought Poppen would be the next guy up. Good stuff, good potential, milb numbers show decent control. I see him as a Stashak clone, more or less. But you can't deny the arm talent of Alcala. And I recall Hawkins speaking about Alcala a couple weeks ago concerning how close he was, though I was a bit confused about his reference to Alcala having a good change as I thought his 3rd selection was the biggest issue from him remaining as a SP. But I could be remembering incorrectly...and please correct me here...maybe it was just overall control. Regardless, arm talent is tremendous and looking forward to seeing him.
August 2, 20206 yr If Donaldson needs to be nursed, and I absolutely would do so if necessary, do we add Blankenhorn to the roster for a week or two? It seems obvious to me.
August 2, 20206 yr I would think the next position player added would be Astudillo. He's had most of a week to shake off the rust and he's both a third catcher and utility guy. As far as the playing time at third until Donaldson is ready to return, I would guess Marwin gets the starts with Adrianza also available. No real need to add someone to play third.
August 2, 20206 yr Author So Alcala is coming from the taxi squad, and how exactly does that work? I assume the 3 players (Alcala, Telis, Thielbar) were traveling with the team and not working out with the 60 man pool that aren't on the 30 man roster? And do they choose a new player to join the taxi squad since Alcala has been elevated? The Twins are at home, so they don't have to designate a taxi squad. Also, each road trip, the taxi squad can change. Those three were on the taxi squad to Chicago, but when they head to Pittsburgh on Wednesday, it could be three different players. While they're at home, the non-30-man-roster guys are just working out at CHS Field. With an injury, the Twins can call up anyone on the 40-man roster. They bring three players on the road as a taxi squad to avoid traveling last minute and having depth right there.
August 2, 20206 yr Author Sorry to hear this for Littell as I really, really like him and think he's found his spot. Some think he could take his stuff and limited MLB experience and move back to the rotation. Could He? I think it's an interesting arguement. But my feeling is he has found his role and my personal belief is Duran and Balazovic will surpass him soon as any SP option, and Thorpe is a guy I still have great faith in.I feel bad for him as I believe in him despite one bad outing. But even in a short season, there is so much time for him to make an important contribution this year.I am surprised Alcala is the guy brought up. I really thought Poppen would be the next guy up. Good stuff, good potential, milb numbers show decent control. I see him as a Stashak clone, more or less. Littell is a good guy. And as Baldelli said yesterday, this is a minor thing and he probably doesn't need 10 days, but rather than him not being avaialble for the next 4-5 days and playing with essentially a 29-man roster, they're making the move. Could Littell go back to starting? Sure, but why? 1.) They already have 8 solid MLB starting options on the 30 man roster. (plus Duran and Chalmers in St. Paul) 2.) He thrived in the bullpen in 2019, and 3.) He's now comfortable in that role. As for Alcala vs Poppen. Poppen couldn't throw strikes during summer camp. He's got great stuff, but Alcala's got electric stuff. I included some quotes from Baldelli on Alcala (and the Littell injury) in my bullpen article from late last night. From that, you can hear the excitement they have for Alcala's arm. I would say that Stashak and Poppen are polar opposites right now.
August 2, 20206 yr Author If Donaldson needs to be nursed, and I absolutely would do so if necessary, do we add Blankenhorn to the roster for a week or two? It seems obvious to me. I bet her would enjoy getting to play a game in his home state. But yeah, I was thinking this too. If they 10-day'd Donaldson, I think Blankenhorn makes the most sense.
August 2, 20206 yr Whatever happened to Kirloff? And Austudillo is supposed to be ready to play Forgive my poor spelling.
August 2, 20206 yr Author The Twins have placed Homer Bailey on the IL with right biceps tendinitis (which is no fun)... Sean Poppen called up. Remember it was announced following the game last night that Tyler Clippard was starting today as an opener, with Bailey pushed back a day. Apparently the arm issue showed up.
August 2, 20206 yr Author Whatever happened to Kirloff? And Austudillo is supposed to be ready to play Forgive my poor spelling. I can't imagine Astudillo is anywhere near ready to play. He was only cleared to practice about a week ago, which means he missed probably a month of time. Kirilloff is in St. Paul with the CHS Player Pool.
August 2, 20206 yr Author Is there any word on when Odorizzi might be ready to return? No, but based on what's been said, he's throwing against hitters. I'd be surprised if he doesn't start either in Pittsburgh or the first game or two against the Royals.
August 3, 20206 yr They are not adding anyone to the 40-man unless they really have to. Can't wait to see how Miami handles this problem.
August 3, 20206 yr No, but based on what's been said, he's throwing against hitters. I'd be surprised if he doesn't start either in Pittsburgh or the first game or two against the Royals. I heard yesterday during the game that they expect Odorizzi to start one of the games next weekend.
August 3, 20206 yr Author Caleb Thielbar is back in the big leagues. https://twitter.com/SethTweets/status/1290398448441798657
August 3, 20206 yr Author What did I miss? When was Wade called up? Wade was on the Opening Day roster.
August 3, 20206 yr Wade was on the Opening Day roster. Well I'll be. I must have missed him on the bench then. I guess it's good news that he hasn't actually been needed in a game yet.
August 3, 20206 yr Caleb Thielbar is back in the big leagues. https://twitter.com/SethTweets/status/1290398448441798657 Was there an opening on the 40 man roster? - Edit, never mind. Looked it up, it seems that the roster was at 38 to start the year with Romero and Pineda on the restricted list, and we've since added Whitefield and Thielbar to the 40 man.
August 3, 20206 yr Well I'll be. I must have missed him on the bench then. I guess it's good news that he hasn't actually been needed in a game yet.Rocco did insert him as a late-game defensive replacement in one of the White Sox games.
August 4, 20206 yr Author RIch Hill placed on the IL with shoulder fatigue... no corresponding move to announce tonight. I'm guessing it'd come before the Tuesday afternoon game. A few updates... 1.) Sounds like things went well for Odorizzi today. He should make a start this weekend against the Royals.2.) Bailey's doing fine. Should make a start early next week. 3.) Hill just experiencing fatigue. Baldelli said they got the transaction in before the game today to get an extra day to retroactively IL him. So, by that, he should be ready to make a start early next week too.
August 4, 20206 yr Fatigue after one outing doesn't instill a lot of confidence. Eventually the rotation is going to need to give them more than 5 innings. Depth or not, the bullpen will get overused like it does every year. The added depth is nice, but I don't think it's enough to support having to go 4-5 innings every night.
August 4, 20206 yr Are we going to see more bullpen games? Maybe Smeltzer will get a start? That is three of the five projected members of the rotation now on the IL. It looks like we'll see plenty of movement between St. Paul and Minneapolis in this most unique baseball season.
August 4, 20206 yr Author Are we going to see more bullpen games? Maybe Smeltzer will get a start? That is three of the five projected members of the rotation now on the IL. It looks like we'll see plenty of movement between St. Paul and Minneapolis in this most unique baseball season. We may see some creativity while there are 30 and 28 player rosters. We may also see creativity against the Pirates and Royals, getting guys work.
August 4, 20206 yr Are we going to see more bullpen games? Maybe Smeltzer will get a start? That is three of the five projected members of the rotation now on the IL. It looks like we'll see plenty of movement between St. Paul and Minneapolis in this most unique baseball season.Looks like Seth beat me to it, but yes. In modern MLB I suspect they could find a way to have a 50-man roster and still be short on bullpen arms.
August 6, 20206 yr Odorizzi will be coming off the IL to start on Saturday. We do have a roster spot open for him, but I believe we have to cut to 28 soon?
August 6, 20206 yr Author Aaron Whitefield was "optioned" after last night's game to put the Twins roster at 28, which it is going to be for the remainder of the season. Also learned this morning that the taxi squad will now be FIVE players instead of three players.
August 8, 20206 yr Donaldson to IL, retroactive to August 4th. No corresponding move yet, but maybe Blankenhorn?
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