Twins

Returning from Tommy John surgery can take many pitchers close to a year. Kenta Maeda had surgery in September, and he's on track to be back on the mound in 2022. 

Before the internet, folks would prepare for the upcoming season by reading one of the many preview magazines that cost an arm and a leg at the grocery store. My dad would always say that you could tell how good a team would be by how many times the preview of it said "if."

Twins fans will be clamoring to add more pitching depth at the trade deadline, and there’s little doubt the team will need pitching. However, as they return from injury, these three pitchers can bolster the team’s pitching staff.

The Twins topped the Angels on the back of the bullpen and some big bats coming through in important situations. 

Trading for Pablo Lopez to add to the front of the rotation was a great move, but it doesn't mean the Twins should stop pursuing options to improve the unit.

Dear journal,

It's been 56 days since darkness fell upon the world of baseball. We're seeing "signs" of "movement" in negotiations between the league and players. I'm experiencing a compulsion to use air quotes in a very sarcastic manner. 

With the bullpen still in flux a week out from Opening Day, the Twins were busy on Thursday adding much-needed bullpen depth to the organization. The Twins signed veteran right-handed relievers Tyler Bashlor, JC Ramirez and Jake Petricka to minor-league deals.

Miguel Sanó was off to a horrendous start before a knee injury pushed him to the injured list. Now he is nearing a return, and the Twins will have to decide what that means for his future with the club.

After being up 5-0, the Twins failed to capitalize on offense, allowing Toronto to tie the game in the ninth. Thanks to the bullpen and some lousy defense by Toronto, the Twins were able to get a wild walk-off win in extras to even the series.

The Twins played their final game Sunday home game of the season to wrap up their series with the Los Angeles Angels. With Dylan Bundy on the mound and the lineup still depleted of everyday players, could the Twins get their first series victory since sweeping the Royals two weeks prior? Or do Twins Fans need to sleep off the remainder of September with another loss on hand?

It’s been an interesting week. With the heart and soul of the team gone, the team’s overall depth has nonetheless improved. One area they already had a pretty solid plan A (as well as plan B) is the closer role. Who fills the role initially is still up for debate, as some folks prefer to keep Jhoan Duran in a relief ace role, and others are terrified of Jorge López. I’m a little spooked, but speaking of the Twins’ best pitcher, let’s start with him.

Trevor Larnach was front and center for a brief moment in 2021, crushing homers and brightening the future of the offense. But just as quickly as he showed up, he was gone. What can we expect from the slugging left hander moving forward?