Twins Minor League Report (6/22): Transaction Action

Here is Wednesday night’s minor league update.

TRANSACTIONS

It is the day after the Florida State League and Southern League All-Star Games. That means one thing… it’s a big day for transactions, to be sure. Here is my attempt at keeping up with them.

• Following his outing in the Southern League All-Star Game, Doug Mientkiewicz was able to tell RHP DJ Baxendale that he is heading to AAA Rochester.
  
• To make room for Baxendale, the Twins released LH RP Dan Runzler.
  
• LHP Stephen Gonsalves got the news that he has been promoted to Chattanooga.
  
• RHP Fernando Romero, C AJ Murray and OF LaMonte Wade are on their way to the Miracle for the 2nd half.
  
• C Brian Olson was sent back to Cedar Rapids. Logan Wade was released by the Twins.
  
• In case you missed it yesterday, LH RP Michael Theofanopoulos was promoted to Ft. Myers with Brian Gilbert moving to the disabled list.
  
• OF Austin Diemer also returns to the Kernels. He started the season in Ft. Myers but was sent to EST a few weeks ago.
  
• According to a scouce, LHP Lachlan Wells, RHP Thomas Hackimer and C Rainis Silva are heading to Cedar Rapids from extended spring training. (Update - the Kernels announced Wells and Hackimer were added to the roster. Silva is listed on the Elizabethton Disabled List, though I have heard he went to Cedar Rapids.) (Update 2 - The Kernels announced that Rainis Silva is now on their roster with Kevin Garcia going on the DL.)
  
• Soon, we will be posting Elizabethton and Gulf Coast League Twins roster previews as well.
  

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 2, Columbus 7

Box Score

Things started out well in Pat Dean’s return to the Red Wings. He started with four shutout innings, but then the Clippers started showing off some power. He gave up four in the fifth, one in the sixth and two more in the seventh. In all, he went six innings and gave up seven runs on eight hits (three home runs). He walked and struck out none. David Martinez came on and struck out three of the four batters he faced. Ryan O’Rourke got the final two outs of the eighth inning for the Red Wings.

Jorge Polanco got things going for the Red Wings quickly. With two outs in the first inning, Polanco hit his fourth home run of the season. He later added a walk on a 1-3 day. The team had just three more hits the rest of the game.

The Red Wings fell to 44-29 which is still the best record in the International League.

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

The Lookouts remain on their All-Star Game break. They will begin their second half by hosting Jackson on Thursday.

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers 3, Charlotte 2 (10 innings)

Box Score

On Tuesday night, we learned that right-hander Fernando Romero was promoted to Ft. Myers. He was to make his Florida State League debut on Wednesday. Of course, rains caused a delay. When Romero took the mound for the first inning, his nerves showed. He gave up two runs on three hits in the inning. But that was about it. He went five innings and gave up just those two runs. He gave up five hits, walked one and struck out five. He was removed at 74 pitches as the Twins continue to monitor his return after missing nearly two full seasons with injuries (Tommy John surgery in 2014 and knee surgery in 2015).

The Miracle bullpen then came through with more zeros. John Curtiss threw two scoreless innings without allowing a hit. He walked one and struck out four. Michael Theofanopoulos also made his FSL debut. He needed just seven pitches to work a perfect eighth inning. He struck out one. Todd Van Steensel threw two scoreless innings, walking one and striking out two.

In the first inning, a sacrifice fly off the bat of Chris Paul scored TJ White who had walked to lead off the inning. It cut the deficit to 2-1. In the second inning, another player made his FSL debut. A night after homering in the Midwest League All-Star Game, AJ Murray DHd and batted seventh for the Miracle. With Trey Vavra on via a single, Murray tripled in his first at-bat to tie the game at two a piece. But that was it for the Miracle offense.

In the bottom of the 10th inning, still tied at two, Brian Navarreto led off with a walk. He advanced to second on a TJ White sacrifice bunt. Edgar Corcino was intentionally walked. Chris Paul lined a single to right field, though it was hit hard enough that Navarreto was only able to get to third base, loading the bases. Joe Maloney stepped in and hit a sacrifice fly to end the game and give the Miracle a three-game sweep.

White led off and got on base three times with a single and two walks. The Miracle had just five hits but added eight walks in the game.

Nick Gordon missed his third straight game after tweaking a muscle in the FSL ASG on Saturday night. It is not believed to be serious as one person told me that the Twins would not have released Logan Wade if they were concerned about Gordon being out very long.

KERNELS NUGGETS

The Kernels remain on their All Star break. They will begin their 2nd half by hosting Beloit on Thursday night.

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Fernando Romero, Ft. Myers Miracle

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – TJ White, Ft. Myers Miracle

THURSDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester @ Columbus (6:05 CST) - RHP Jose Berrios (5-3, 3.35 ERA)

Jackson @ Chattanooga (6:15 CST) - LHP David Hurlbut

Ft. Myers @ Jupiter (5:30 CST) - Tyler Jay (5-5, 2.97 ERA)

Beloit @ Cedar Rapids (6:35 CST) – RHP Miles Nordgren (2-3, 2.86 ERA)

Elizabethton @ Kingsport (6:00 CST) - TBD

Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss Wednesday's games.