4 Call-Up Options Should Josh Donaldson Miss Time
Apr 02 2021 12:32 PM |
Matthew Taylor
in Minnesota Twins
Image courtesy of © David Dermer-USA TODAY Sports
Opening Day for the Minnesota Twins reminded us just how real the risk of injury is in baseball each and every day. On just the second at-bat of the game, Josh Donaldson pulled his hamstring rounding first base and was forced to leave a 0-0 ballgame.After the game, manager Rocco Baldelli didn’t give out too much information regarding the severity of Donaldson’s injury saying, “Obviously there has to be some concern, but we’ll wait and see until we know a bit more to comment further.”
While we do not yet know if Josh Donaldson will go to the injured list or not, it’s clear that a contingency plan needs to be in place. Let’s look at the four minor league call-up options should Josh Donaldson land on the injured list.
Brent Rooker
When Brent Rooker was surprisingly left off of the Opening Day roster, the primary reason given was that Baldelli did not want Rooker to be up with the Twins if he was not going to get every-day at bats. If Donaldson were to hit the injured list, and Luis Arráez were converted over to be the every-day third baseman, there would be a full-time opening at left field, with Jake Cave then able to act in his usual fourth outfielder role. Brent Rooker has always had the bat to compete in the Major Leagues, however his outfield glove is a major question mark. Additionally, with Kyle Garlick already up with the Big League club, Rooker’s right-handed power bat would be a bit redundant.
Alex Kirilloff
The controversial decision to start Alex Kirilloff at the alternate site was similarly made with the primary reason being that Kirilloff would need to get consistent work. A decision that fans were largely disappointed by, could be corrected here, calling up Kirilloff to cover the void in left field caused by Donaldson’s injury. This decision would cause Alex Kirilloff’s service time clock to start earlier than ownership may like, and his readiness for the Majors is still a question mark after his troublesome Spring.
Extra Infielder
Calling up a fifth outfielder to replace an injured infielder might not make the most sense. Calling up a replacement infielder for Donaldson, might be the most prudent decision as currently, Willians Astudillo would be the only backup infielder on the roster. Under this line of thinking, infielders Travis Blankenhorn, JT Riddle or Tzu-Wei Lin would give the Twins more defensive flexibility and allow them to not need to rely as heavily on La Tortuga as a backup infielder. Of the three mentioned infielders, Blankenhorn is the only one currently on the 40-man roster. One other option would be Nick Gordon, who is also on the 40-man roster, but it’s not totally clear how Major League ready he is at this time.
Extra Reliever
The final option for the Twins would be to not call up another bat, but instead call up an extra arm for Josh Donaldson’s roster spot, should he hit the IL. Heading into the season, some thought that the Twins should roster 14 pitchers, however they opted for 13. With this injury, the Twins could bring up another reliever such as Shaun Anderson or Lewis Thorpe who are both on the 40-man roster. The Twins could then roll with Arráez as the everyday third baseman, a Garlick/Cave platoon and left field, with Astudillo filling in as the utilityman across the diamond. This option would give the Twins much more flexibility with their pitchers in a season in which pitchers will need to be handled with care, however having Astudillo as the lone utilityman isn’t the most ideal option.
Which call-up option do you think the Twins should go with should Josh Donaldson be forced to go on the injured list? Is there a fifth option not mentioned above? Leave a comment below and start the conversation!
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41 Comments
How about moving Sano to 3B, calling up Kirilloff to play everyday 1B?
My vote is for Blakenhorn.Granted my vote means absolutely nothing.
I would move Sano to third and have Rooker play first base.
What probably makes the most sense is to call up Rooker (or Kirilloff). Either start whichever in LF or move Sano to 3B and play them at 1B. I suspect the LF option would be preferred to limit positional shuffling.
Blankenhorn starting in AA doesn't suggest he'll get the call.
A 1B/OF makes sense as it allows Arraez as the primary 3B with Sano in case of emergency.
It is surprising they don't have a AAAA-type utility player on the 40-roster. (Arguably Gordon, but I'd still classify him as "prospect" regardless of stock.)
I would bring up Lin and have him be the regular 3rd baseman. Fit’s the defensive philosophy and he hit in ST as well. Don’t think it’s likely Kirilloff is ready.
Let's stay optimistic, guys. Donaldson will take today and tomorrow off, then return Sunday where his bat makes the difference in the Twins second win of the season.
Nooooooooo Way do I want to see his name on any IL, DL or any other list this early in the season.
I'd play Kepler at third just for fun.
I'd call up Blankenhorn, as he's played a decent amount of 3B in the minors. I'd prefer seeing him get some games at 3B rather than Astudillo.
Desperate times, desperate measures. Don't replace a big bat with a Punch and Judy hitter. Alex K just may have to do his growing up in the big leagues.
Does the title say "Should Josh Donaldson miss time"?
Just asking 'cause, it was the first game of the season, after a season last year where Josh missed considerable time, and after a career where his calf is anything but golden.
Donaldson is an IL itinerant in waiting.Unfortunately.
Best to understand reality, and live in it, then walk around with stories in your head about how things are going to be just fine.
Josh is pregnant? And here I was thinking it was his hamstring.
call up Law
If Donaldson stays hurt, then Kirilloff gets the nod, because Garlick bats right, and his spot goes to Rooker if he scuffles at the plate. As mentioned, Arraez must keep his bat in the game, so he goes to 3B. Thank goodness Arraez is so position flexible.
Eddie Rosario looked good at 3B that one game in Boston. We could shift him there and call u-... oops.
I think I want to look at the batting order, taking Donaldson out, and decide who on the 40-man is the best bat to replace him. For me, that's Rooker. Adjusting the defense to put all the batters in their best deployment leads to Arraez at 3B.
It's not ideal, but aiming for a slightly better defense leads to a dropoff on offense.
Against National League teams I would put Sano at 3B and play Cruz at 1B. Against American League teams, I'm fine with Arraez at third and Cave or Garlick in the outfield. If Josh goes on the IL, it makes the most sense to bring up either Kiriloff or Rooker.
YES THIS!
Pulling a hamstring on a routine double early in the first game is not acceptable.
Proper stretching and preparation (though time consuming an boring) makes that an absolutely preventable injury.
There needs to be a complete overhaul of the strategy by him and the Twins training staff.