Maybe I'm missing something, but looking at the box scores, I see:

 

Today vs. Philly - Mauer started and Butera came in as a very late sub

Yesterday vs Blt - Towles started and played the whole game

Monday vs TB - Mauer started and Butera came in as a sub

Sunday vs STL - Doumit started

 

It doesn't look like Gardy is letting Butera face any of the opposing team's starting pitchers. I wonder if he hasn't falled behind Towles. Am I missing something?

Yeah, I don't think that you are missing anything Another little tidbit from today (which would not be obvious unless you were there, or had access but even those with access did not report) : Every day before the Twins' home games at Fort Myers a group of people usually back-up bench types take BP on the field right outside the ballpark and the non-playing pitchers are standing at the OF to catch balls. Today, they included the back up Catchers as well and they were: Dozier, Hollimon, Burroughs, Doumit and Towles. No Butera. Hughes was not there because he started but he was there Monday. So methinks that the Butera is about ready to go to Rochester. Word also has it that Chris Herrmann is reporting to New Britain, so that makes much more sense...

Another little tidbit from today (which would not be obvious unless you were there, or had access but even those with access did not report) .... So methinks that the Butera is about ready to go to Rochester. Word also has it that Chris Herrmann is reporting to New Britain, so that makes much more sense...

I've taken a liking to your accessive information!

Thanks for the info thrylos98

Herrmann is headed back to New Britain.

We can only hope that this is the case. Butera's offensive offense did not offset his defensive skills.

Nice catch John. I really hope the Twins only have 2 catchers.

And as you write that, Butera is in the starting lineup for the Twins today against the Pirates.

Yeah, that's exactly the usage pattern you'd expect for your third-string catcher. I think Punto left all his pictures of Gardy and a goat with Sal's kid when he left town.

Yep, he did. No stolen bases and 1-4 with a walk. I guess we're gonna stay guessing.

Hopefully Gardy has realized that with Morneau being primarily the DH, that Doumit is principally a position player - meaning, he doesn't risk losing his DH by moving Doumit behind the plate during a game. A third catcher - particularly if he can't hit - is a luxury the Twins cannot afford. Besides, I've never thought that losing the DH late in the game is that big a deal - so what if you play NL ball for a couple innings?!

Butera Hitting v Pitcher Hitting

 

 

Whats the Difference?????

Hopefully Gardy has realized that with Morneau being primarily the DH, that Doumit is principally a position player - meaning, he doesn't risk losing his DH by moving Doumit behind the plate during a game. A third catcher - particularly if he can't hit - is a luxury the Twins cannot afford. Besides, I've never thought that losing the DH late in the game is that big a deal - so what if you play NL ball for a couple innings?!

Hopefully Gardy realizes that any time Butera is in the lineup, he's basically losing the DH position anyway, because he has hitter in the lineup who provides roughly what an NL pitcher provides.