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If you want to learn more about the fingernail problem Dobber has, read today's Strib. Good explanation of the problem and why he couldn't put pressure on some pitches like normal because of the one finger. And those of you who like to blame the Pohlads, should also read the Strib where they talk about Stashak going on the IL. He had been optioned to the Saints and was set to be placed on their AAA IL, where he would be paid a couple thousand a week. Rather than do that, they jumped through whatever hoops and returned him to the Twins and placed him on the Twins IL, where he makes $ 3,050 a game...or about ten times more. In my opinion that is an employer who cares about their employees and puts the dollars behind it, regardless of how big their loss was last year and will likely be again this year.

Unlike a normal year, it is June 9 and we are only about five weeks into the season. Expect those promotions will come, hopefully soon. The highlight for me today is seeing Wander Javier getting another big hit. Should he really be turning the corner, could be so exciting for the Twins to have him as their shortstop come 2023. Was also good watching the Saints last night and seeing Mr. Buxton run on that triple.

Oh, crap! And does this put the Twins in a pickle come November. Haven't looked at the must add list and how many spots they will likely have, but it will be almost impossible for them to add Enlow. And that gives some team with extra space a chance to pluck him from of the organization, knowing he won't pitch until summer, 2022 at the earliest. Does some team take a chance? Boo, bah humbug!

My comment about Javier was made because of my excitement at what he did this week. Hadn't even looked at Julien's numbers, wow! But his having a great week has become somewhat expected, hasn't it?

The highlight of this report is the week Wander Javier had, at least for me. After I don't remember how many years he has been around battling injury and disappointing results with his bat, this may be the first time I recall his having a great week. Noticed his extra base hit in TD's daily report earlier in the week, followed by his four hit game and I believe two hit game on Sunday. Looking at the numbers, would not have been surprised had you named him your hitter of the week. This young man has so much talent and looked so good the couple times I saw him on the field in televised spring training games. That was always followed by disappointment. If he does eventually put it together and become a big league shortstop, this may have been the week he turned the corner. After going undrafted through two Rule 5 drafts, it would be a fantastic story if he would become that player the Twins were hoping for when paid the biggest International signing bonus they ever paid. Thanks for the recap, Seth.

Great story for this young man, coming out of the AFA and serving his two years before getting back to baseball full time. As for his pitching, always reminded me of Scott Baker and Kyle Gibson. Maybe not quite at the same level, but who knows how he develops over the next year or two.

Interesting seeing the name of Ernie De La Trinidad appear in these write-ups of late. Checked and learned he has one of the top averages on the team together with a mid-.800 OPS. Remember that he was part of one of those trades made during that busy late July period a few years ago. Other than what I have just written, I know nothing about him. Is he a prospect that has a legitimate chance of making it to the Twins someday? Or will it be a long shot for him to do so?

Watched the first couple innings of Balazovic's start. He seemed to be overpowering the batters he was facing. At 6'5, he sure looks like a front line big league starter...hopefully, he will become that some day. Was so excited seeing what Javier did yesterday. Saw he also had a double or triple a day or two earlier. Is he starting to put it together?

Lots of work to do. The important thing is for them to begin it today. And that starts with the FO understanding this season is over and making decisions with that in mind.

See that Cano pitched the 10th inning. Began with a runner on second, gave up 2 hits and yet no runs scored. Great experience. Maybe some of the Twins relievers should take a lesson from him on how to do that.

Last night's game spells the end of the season for the Twins, insofar as their being a potential factor in any post season play. The emphasis now must be developing players for future Twins teams, whether that be getting prospects experience with the Twins or working trades to bring more prospects into the system.

Kid belongs in AA. Hopefully he will be back there asap. There is no question, however, that his brief stay with the Twins should be invaluable as far as learning how difficult it is in MLB and his hunger to want to return. Same can be said about Rortvedt, although he probably belongs in St. Paul.

Would I trade Donaldson, yes. Would I do this deal, not as suggested. Taking back Bradley is a liability, as of today. Would not want to include the dollars if taking Bradley and the pitcher who is a big question mark as of today. Take out the dollars and the deal becomes ok. Or include the dollars and get someone like the pitcher without the health question mark. Would prefer something different, understanding that getting value back may require including some dollars.

Is there some way to hit the 'like' button twice?

I continue to be amazed at what Tampa does. And what is their payroll? Is it half what the Twins have?

Same comment as I have for Berrios, just that they have more time to make a decision regarding Berrios. Talk to him about a two year extension because he has been solid, when as stated above he is healthy and not suspended. If that isn't going to happen, gotta pull the trigger on a trade before the deadline next month. As well as he has been pitching, should be able to get something decent in return...maybe one of those recent fourth or fifth round picks who isn't setting the world on fire, but could be the next Bieber or Clevenger. Man do the Twins need their minor league scouts to be at their best the next 60 days.

Add to that how seemingly ill prepared this team is in the basic fundamentals of baseball. Yes, the injuries have thrown a curveball into their plans. But anyone who watched those teams back when Tom Kelly was managing this club is having a real problem watching this team [fortunately, some of us can't watch this team...thanks to BSN]. And the fact they aren't prepared to play the game falls entirely on the on field management...in my opinion. We also need to ask how that nucleus delivered by Mr. Ryan and his staff, Sano, Buxton, Rosario, Kepler, Polanco and Berrios, have not only not gotten better, in some cases aren't as good as they were a few years ago?

I believe Berrios and Rodgers should both be honorable mention, leaving the Pitcher of the Month award open. No one earned or deserved it. With that said, I believe the Twins must make an all out effort to extend Berrios this summer.

Is Reggie Grace someone we should begin following more closely?

Will the injuries ever end? Was yesterday's loss the proverbial 'spike' in the coffin?

Thanks for this information, Seth. Considering the state of the Twins bullpen, this may be the most important group in the entire system. Really want to see a couple of these young arms advance quickly enough to pitch for the Twins by the trade deadline. Hopefully, Cano continues his dominance and is one of them. Seems like we have been talking about Moran forever and am a bit surprised he is still at AA. Does his 'stuff' work at the big league level...now?

Wow, that's a lot of information, Seth. Almost too much to digest, but thanks! I recall watching maybe the first game of the Iowa Cubs series with the Saints in St. Paul earlier last month. Recall the announcers talking about how great the Cubs pitching had been in their first series of the season. Looks like that was either not true or the Saints bats have come to life. A 6-game sweep is something we ain't gonna see a lot of. It's great seeing the Saints join the Wind Surge with a winning record, now we need to see Cedar Rapids get back above .500 also. Has to be comforting for Twins management to see the Saints do well. Sure helps the new relationship with the Saints ownership group. The biggest news for me this coming week will be if Balazovic gets a start. Were you hinting that you could see it mid-week in Cedar Rapids? Makes sense to give him a couple starts there to build his arm strength back against lesser competition before moving up to AA. As for your question, the player I most wanted to see has already arrived, Rortvedt. After him, next would be Miranda (with Royce Lewis out for the year). As for pitchers, like most of us I really want to see both Duran and Balazovic. If forced to name one, I would go with Duran as he appears to be a couple steps closer and more likely to make it this summer.

Was so excited about Rooker when he got the call and to be honest, hit better than I expected. Then that pitch cut his debut short. Have I forgotten about him, no. Where I can see him contributing is as a Twins DH beginning next year. But that is also where I see Sano, and like Sano, Rooker needs to reduce the number of strikeouts and get his average up a bit.

My vote would have gone to Miranda. Great seeing his bat explode, which if memory serves began during the second half of 2019. Is that correct, Seth? I know he came in as a third baseman. Considering that is going to be an open spot for the Twins in the next year or two, is he strong enough defensively to be considered as their next full time third baseman? The most exciting number to me was his strikeouts of 11 in 94 at bats. The Twins need a few more players who put the ball in play rather than walking back to the pine 2 or 3 at bats every game. The other player that was most exciting for me was Julien. He has to be the surprise of this spring, at least to me. I very seldom disagree with Dman, but I will do so regarding his comment on Snyder being too old for Hi-A ball at 26. We need to remember that these kids all missed an entire year last year. We need to disregard looking at age for the next year or two.

With the game on ESPN, was the first Twins game I got to see all of this year. Seeing the Baltimore ballpark brought back good memories. Berrios was very, very good, albeit the Baltimore lineup isn't good. Glad to see them scratch out a W, but with all the injuries our lineup wasn't much better. As for trading or not trading Berrios, I really want the Twins to work out an extension with him (and Buxton) prior to the end of July. If he continues to say no and the offer is at or a bit above what would be considered a good offer, then they have no choice but to begin listening to trade offers. Don't have to trade him in July, but if the offer is very good it would be in the best interest of the team. Don't know how good this team could be if healthy, but doubt they have the overall pitching to be serious contenders.