2 days Ago By Ted Schwerzler, Minnesota Sports Fan
The Minnesota Twins capped off a much needed victory against the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday night . The bullpen has been pushed to its limits. Sending down Jorge Alcala made the group even more thin , which has Rocco Baldelli essentially managing with one hand tied behind his back.
But hey, at least we got a Max Kepler update. Jorge Alcala looks done for the Minnesota Twins in 2024 Jorge Alcala went into the All-Star Break with a 1.56 ERA for the Minnesota Twins.
Despite being optioned already and having been given the runaround, he was among the best relievers for Rocco Baldelli. The second half then hit and misfortune piled up. Across 20 games since July 20 , Alcala posted a 6.
75 ERA with a 7.07 FIP. He allowed opposing hitters a .
923 OPS and fell out of the bullpen rotation. Minnesota saw enough and sent him packing for veteran Cole Irvin . According to Rocco, the Twins wanted more lefty length in the bullpen, given how many young starters they are currently relying on, “Length is probably the main point.
We’re going to have games where we might need someone to throw three or four innings. It’s hard to make some of these decisions when the time comes. Obviously I had to sit with him last night and talk through it.
Not always the easiest of conversations, but sometimes a tough one has to be made.” The Star Tribune’s Phil Miller suggested that Alcala will likely head to Fort Myers, when the St. Paul Saints season ends, and remain ready, should the Twins make the playoffs.
But even then, it sounds like he’s unlikely to make the active playoff roster. Tonight, Irvin got his first opportunity out of the Minnesota Twins bullpen. The lefty, with poor numbers , got just one out before being sent to the showers.
Jorge Alcalá, 100mph ⛽️ and Vicious 91mph Slider...
and Sword ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/m0MFEphWNE Alcala had pitched multiple innings in six appearances this season.
The latest was his last time out, in which he struck out four in a scoreless outing against the Cincinnati Reds. His stuff is infinitely better than the veteran Minnesota claimed, and even with the tough stretch, it seems the Twins willingly made their bullpen worse. All year the Twins have sent Alcala on an odd wild goose chase.
Despite arm issues that have held him back, he was often asked to do out of the ordinary work early in the year. Griffin Jax and Jhoan Duran were both exhausted in appearances on Tuesday, and Irvin won’t be capable of keeping them fresh. Max Kepler lagging behind for Minnesota The Twins have already activated Byron Buxton, Carlos Correa , and Manuel Margot.
Each of them went through a creative rehab plan that had them facing Minnesota minor leaguers. Max Kepler, who was the last to hit the injured list, still remains delayed. He has made a career of inappropriately playing through injury to the team’s detriment.
“Max requested to get that reviewed by another doctor, [The doctor] decided that the best thing to do was get a cortisone injection, which he got [Monday], and he has felt better ever since. We know the season is coming to a close here soon, so we’re targeting getting him into games this weekend in St. Paul.
That would be the goal at present. It’s a core muscle, hip abdominal area issue, and he wanted to make sure it wasn’t serious. Obviously we’re running out of time.
As long as his week goes well, then we’ll track toward games this weekend.” Max Kepler was called for batter’s interference after Francisco Alvarez drilled him in the helmet pic.twitter.
com/ERviJgeDlG Kepler has been on the shelf since September 1. He posted a .906 OPS through the first 32 games of the year, and has a .
591 OPS in 73 since. It’s as though Kepler has never grasped that his ability is severely muted while playing through injury and it has led to just a pair of above-average offensive seasons over a 10-year career . Both Trevor Larnach and Matt Wallner are superior options at this point.
Short of Kepler being willing to play as a defensive replacement, his return to the big league club may be a detriment in the final week and postseason . The Twins are doing everything possible to keep their waning postseason hopes alive . Rocco Baldelli is having to grasp at straws with a roster running on fumes.
Things could wind up being too much to overcome. This article first appeared on Minnesota Sports Fan and was syndicated with permission..
