Article: Valencia Optioned to Rochester (More Moves, Maloney, Mastroianni, Walters)

[Seth Stohs]

Immediately following the Twins loss tonight against the Angels, the team announced that they had optioned 3B Danny Valencia and Designated LHP Matt Maloney for Assignment. The selected the contract of RHP PJ Walters and OF/2B Darin Mastroianni.

 

Valencia has really struggled with the bat and glove throughout the season, and yet the timing here is a little surprising. The hope would be that he is able to figure things out down in Rochester and come back and resume his role as the team's starting 3B.

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Maloney had a solid spring training, but really has struggled in the season's first five weeks.

 

Mastroianni started the season by struggling for two weeks in New Britain (AA), but he has been hitting nearly .360 through three weeks with AAA Rochester, playing LF and some 2B. He has ten stolen bases with the Red Wings, including stealing home on Monday. He will likely be with the Twins in time to play his former organization, the Toronto Blue Jays.

 

PJ Walters played for the Blue Jays and Cardinals last year and was part of the big July trade between the teams. He has posted a 3-1 record with a 2.70 ERA in AAA. He will start on Saturday against the Blue Jays. This also means that Francisco Liriano goes to the bullpen.

 

So, the question I have is... who is the Twins starting 3B now? Carroll? Plouffe?

 

What are your thoughts on the moves?

 

Download attachment: danny valencia.jpg

 

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