Breaking Down Thursday's Roster Moves

RYAN JEFFERS OPTIONED TO ST.PAUL

The Twins entered 2021 with perhaps the best catching duo in baseball. Jeffers was coming off a strong, albeit abbreviated, 2020 season. He hit .273/.355/.436 with three homers in 26 games. Jeffers is an excellent pitch framer and provides immense value behind the plate. Even then, his ineptitude at the dish in April has resulted in a net negative.

Jeffers is 5-for-34 (.147) with 18 strikeouts and only three walks. He’s looked overmatched, frequently swinging through fastballs and failing to make consistent contact. Jeffers’ future remains bright, but he’ll need to tune up his bat in St.Paul.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

The Twins obviously have a ton of faith in Jeffers and rightly so. He’s hit .296/.383/.453 with 33 doubles and 21 homers in 167 minor-league games. He was a bat-first player in college and has now adapted into one of the best pitch framers in the game. He’s part of the long-term future at catcher.

Mitch Garver will seemingly get an increased workload for the time being. Garver is having his own problems offensively but blasted two homers in a 10-2 win over Cleveland Wednesday. At least for now, Willians Astudillo is the only other catcher on the 26-man roster. Keep an eye on the left-handed defensive stalwart Ben Rortvedt, as he could get the call. Tomás Telis, a career .297/.335/.408 in 12 minor-league seasons, makes some sense as a switch-hitting option too.

UPDATE: Ben Rortvedt has been recalled and will be making his major-league debut tonight (Friday) against the Royals. He is batting ninth and catching.

MAX KEPLER, KYLE GARLICK RE-INSTATED FROM COVID-19 IL

It’s great to see Kepler and Garlick activated after a long week-plus on the COVID list. Kepler’s defense is greatly missed in the outfield, and the Twins can always use another lefty-masher like Garlick. Kepler was hitting just .234/.315/.362 before the positive test but the Twins current desperation for left-handed competency makes this a huge reinstatement.

Garlick is 5-for-15 (.333) with a double against left-handed pitching so far this season. He’s done his job in a very specific role: crush southpaws. Expect Garlick to re-enter the lineup Saturday when LHP Danny Duffy takes the mound for Kansas City.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Well, it should mean less Jake Cave. Although he’s played better baseball lately, Cave is 12-for-66 (.182) in 73 plate appearances. Cave has the fourth most at-bats on the team and has struck out more than anyone (28).

The outfield against righties should consist of Luis Arraez, Byron Buxton and Kepler, with Alex Kirilloff likely to man first base until Miguel Sanó returns. That’s much more stable than some of the groups the Twins have sent out over the past week.

BRENT ROOKER OPTIONED TO ST.PAUL

Rooker was thrust into a more regular role without Kepler and Garlick and responded by going 2-for-18 (.111) with seven strikeouts. He did blast a homer off Zach Plesac, showing off the power that lies within the former Mississippi State star.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Rooker will continue to get opportunities as one of the lone right-handed outfield options on the 40-man roster. The Twins have chosen the more-seasoned Garlick numerous times in the early going, though, and Rooker will have to produce more consistently when he gets his next call. He should hit in the middle of the Saints lineup once their season gets underway next week.

TZU-WEI LIN, JT RIDDLE DESIGNATED FOR ASSIGNMENT

The Twins were stretched to the brink in the middle infield after Riddle and Simmons went to the COVID list. Lin was called up and didn’t register an at-bat, subbing in defensively in the 5-3 walk-off loss to Cleveland Monday. Nick Gordon also got the call but didn’t make an appearance

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

The Twins are banking on Lin and Riddle passing through waivers so they can be optioned to St.Paul. With only Simmons and Polanco capable of playing short, these two will be needed again at some point over this six-month campaign. The Saints likely got deeper today, which should result in some nice May wins for the new Triple-A club.

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