Maeda to the pen?

[chpettit19]

The Twins site had an article from Do-Hyoung Park yesterday about Maeda's rehab situation. Maeda said if he comes back this year it'd likely be in the pen. He threw a 30 fastball bullpen on Tuesday at 80% effort. Will fly to Florida after the AS break and hopes to start facing live hitters in August before starting his rehab games. Says September would be when he comes back and it'll depend on how the team is doing. I'd love to see him take the extra pitcher roster spot in September. Let's hope things keep moving as planned and we can have him back for the stretch run!

[nicksaviking]

It will be hard to count on him as I'd expect rust no matter how many rehab outings he gets.

But, he was really, really good out of the pen when he pitched for the Dodgers so I reserve the right to keep my fingers crossed that he can regain that ability.

[IndianaTwin]

Given his experience with the Dodgers and the time needed to ramp up, the bullpen has been my expectation for whatever time he can provide this year. I think it's a no-brainer to go that route. 

[Bigfork Twins Guy]

Rocco as much said so in the Strib article today.  He will be in the pen if able to demonstrate that he can execute his pitches and get guys out.  That'll also keep his innings down the rest of this year allowing him to ramp back up as a starter next season.

[Linus]

Would love it but if I’m in the GM chair I’m not including him in my plans. If he makes it back it’s a bonus. 

[ashbury]

7 minutes ago, Linus said:

Would love it but if I’m in the GM chair I’m not including him in my plans. If he makes it back it’s a bonus. 

Since he needs a 40-man spot once he's cleared medically and has had the maximum rehab stint allowed, he has to be in the FO's plans to some degree.  Who goes off the 40?  I know we all have our favorites to go, but my point is that planning is still involved given his medical timetable.

What you suggested would apply to the manager's chair, IMO.

[Linus]

2 minutes ago, ashbury said:

Since he needs a 40-man spot once he's cleared medically and has had the maximum rehab stint allowed, he has to be in the FO's plans to some degree.  Who goes off the 40?  I know we all have our favorites to go, but my point is that planning is involved.

Good point. Do we know when the maximum rehab stint will end?

[ashbury]

1 minute ago, Linus said:

Good point. Do we know when the maximum rehab stint will end. 

I think it's in the neighborhood of 25 days?

[USAFChief]

4 minutes ago, ashbury said:

Since he needs a 40-man spot once he's cleared medically and has had the maximum rehab stint allowed, he has to be in the FO's plans to some degree.  Who goes off the 40?  I know we all have our favorites to go, but my point is that planning is still involved given his medical timetable.

What you suggested would apply to the manager's chair, IMO.

I think that's a "cross that bridge if/when we come to it" situation. 

There's any number of things that could affect the 40 man by September. 

[tony&rodney]

Maeda will be a bonus and remember that rosters are expanded in September by a couple of players. He would work well in relief because he has a boatload of experience as a pitcher.

[ashbury]

11 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

I think that's a "cross that bridge if/when we come to it" situation.

We're probably using the word "planning" slightly differently then.  I'm not saying much more than "cross that bridge."

An example, though: if it's a close decision whether to ride with a bullpen mediocrity for the major league squad, versus adding someone only slightly (or speculatively) better to the 40, it might matter if the FO looks at Maeda's current forecast and realizes they may have to turn right around and risk losing someone.  Since these 41st man decisions aren't terribly consequential, some might say who cares, the FO on the other hand might decide to sweat the details.  Maeda's looming return might inhibit a seemingly unrelated roster move; i.e. it's "planning".  That's really all.

[East Coast Twin]

33 minutes ago, Linus said:

Good point. Do we know when the maximum rehab stint will end?

Pitchers have up to thirty days for a rehab assignment.  Those recovering from Tommy John can receive up to three additional ten day extensions.

[old nurse]

1 hour ago, East Coast Twin said:

Pitchers have up to thirty days for a rehab assignment.  Those recovering from Tommy John can receive up to three additional ten day extensions.

He is going down to throw at live batters. Those would be Twin’s farmhands at first. The clock would not start to tick until he is in a game

[ashbury]

4 hours ago, East Coast Twin said:

Pitchers have up to thirty days for a rehab assignment.  Those recovering from Tommy John can receive up to three additional ten day extensions.

In that case they might be able to run out the clock on the season, if they don't like what they see in rehab, and not have to think about the 40-man at all.

Facts are important, and it's really hard to keep all the roster rule facts in mind.

[RaoulDuke]

Barring a set back he seems in line to get some pen innings down the stretch.  His performance will set weather he is a playoff arm there.  In the past he was an excellent reliever with LA so there is some real hope if he finds his stuff quickly.

Between Maeda/ Archer/ Winder/ Ober they have some real interesting arms from the rotation that could be playoff pen pieces.   I don't think they should bet on any of them being setup guys but the potential is there to have a few wildcards in the mix.

They still need to trade for at least 2 legit setup arms.  Duran/ Jax are going to be so incredibly stretched by playoff time if they even make it that far.

[bean5302]

It'll be great to have Maeda back this year provided there are no setbacks whatsoever.

I think anything before mid September is probably overly-aggressive. The Mets pushed Syndergaard onto the mound last year but didn't allow him to throw a single breaking pitch. Similarly, Maeda has yet to throw a single breaking pitch and is just up to 85mph on his fastball. He's got a long way to go. As the article points out, he's hoping to face live batting practice starting next month some time and he's just started throwing off the mound and he hasn't thrown a single breaking pitch yet. A single setback/flareup and his season is officially done.

Maybe early August for live batting practice? Rehab stint starts mid August once he gets close to max effort and can start mixing off-speed and breaking pitches in? Activation early/mid-September. I think that's probably an optimistic time table.

[wsnydes]

If he is to come back this season at all, a bullpen role is the only thing that really makes sense.  He's not going to be built up enough to start.  

And if he's effective, he could be a very valuable piece in the bullpen down the stretch and in the post season.