stringer bell

Wow. Someone turns a corner and heads to the Injured List. I was speculating that the Twins would wait for the off day tomorrow to determine if someone would go on the IL, but hey, we get our third catcher back!

No Buxton, Correa or Larnach and they are all on the active roster. I’m guessing the Twins have only Jeffers truly available on the bench.

I think Wallner is still in line to be a functional major league player. I’ve seen a couple of good throws from him and he has major league power.

From the time he was optioned, the Twins were saying that he was on track to pitch in games in May.

I don’t want to step on Rosterman’s toes, but AARON WHITEFIELD (remember him) was selected by the Angels (baseball team). He had a single plate appearance with the Twins in 2020.

Balazovic allowed seven base runners in 3.2 innings, but kept them off the board. SWR allowed six in 5.1, but four of them scored. Just glad to see these top prospects playing games and getting reps.

Thielbar, Duffey, Smith, Stashak and Pagán could all go tomorrow. Also, I’m wondering how likely the game is to be played.

Not exactly true. If three or more players test positive, then they can go outside the 40-man roster. So far, only two guys, so they had to use players on the 40-man. I don’t think two at-bats says it all as to whether Kirilloff is ready. Give him a few days. I’d love to see him step in at first base.

Has Duran thrown more 100+ mph pitches than all other Twins pitchers? I recall Trevor May getting to 99, Graterol at or over 100 and I thought Alcala hit 100 a couple of times last year. Is there anyone else with that kind of velocity?

The last out is the toughest one to get.

No splinkers from Duran. Maybe he just sticks with the heat. 101.7, 102.9, 100.8–maybe they should call him FM (radio).

Jeffers has had something like 5 pitches out of the box called strikes when he’s been hitting. One would hope he’s gotten more than that when he’s catching.

Nice job by both Coulombe and Jax. Two inning Duran save?

Is that it for Gray? If he gets through four scoreless and he's healthy, I guess I would be satisfied.

With all the DPs, injuries, lack of hitting with RISP and some hiccups in the field, this stretch could have been a long losing streak. Mostly good pitching, a couple of close wins and less than formidable opponents have resulted in more wins than losses.

Sanchez is due for a long ball.

Bad luck for Polanco on that.

Presuming that Larnach's issue is minor, I think Kirilloff is very much on trial right now. If his power is sapped or if he can't be available all of the time, I think they'll option him or put him on the Injured List again. Larnach has shown for now he deserves to stay. Gordon is a utility guy who can't be optioned, Fortunately for Kirilloff, there are at-bats to be had at first base. If Kirilloff can't perform, Miranda and Arraez would take those at-bats.

Gray activated, Sands optioned. Gray starts today against Oakland.

Wallner and Miller have had nice weeks. I think Wallner’s upside is more than Rooker.

Yes. Jeffers framed a borderline pitch. This was a really good pitch from Pagan, but you aren't going to come out ahead that often in that situation.

Pagan has gone to the limit like that twice and came out on top. That, friends, is walking the tightrope.

A closer who walks a ton of guys isn't a closer (for long).

Score was tied when Duran came in.

Pagan should not be the closer. I don't have much trust in him.