Powers: Twins Cancel Perkins' Bullpen Session

[Parker Hageman]

According to the Pioneer Press' Tom Powers, the Twins have nixed closer Glen Perkins' throwing session for Monday. After pitching against the University of Minnesota last Wednesday, Perkins has not thrown because of a strain on his right side:

 

"On the medical (reports), it isn't anything to be concerned about," Terry Ryan said. "He's got a little tweak on his right side around the ribcage so we're going to certainly watch it. I don't think it's anything serious, but he hasn't been out there."

 

"He did not throw today and he won't throw until he's right," Ryan said. "I don't think it will be too much longer, but he's not quite right."

 

 

The Twins shut Perkins down late last September after his elbow bothered him and caused some performance issues in the season's last month. 

[nicksaviking]

Better ribs than an elbow I guess, though we've seen plenty of pitchers go down for extended stretches with injuries to their core. 

 

Who closes should he go down? Fein? Let's have Burdi MLB ready by June.

[jimmer]

 

 

Who closes should he go down?

A little Burdi just chirped up.

[TheLeviathan]

Whew...thought for sure I'd read about an elbow or shoulder.

[nicksaviking]

Whew...thought for sure I'd read about an elbow or shoulder.

 

That would stink, but I'm of the mind that nothing increases a players immediate value than being able to stamp "closer" on his resume.

 

So a silver lining would be that if the Twins were able to promote a new "closer" (my short-term to intermediary dark horse: Lester Oliveros), suddenly when Perkins is back, the team automatically has a guy with significantly improved trade value simply because ninth inning experience counts 5x more than any other experience for some reason. 

[jimmer]

That would stink, but I'm of the mind that nothing increases a players immediate value than being able to stamp "closer" on his resume.

 

So a silver lining would be that if the Twins were able to promote a new "closer" (my short-term to intermediary dark horse: Lester Oliveros), suddenly when Perkins is back, the team automatically has a guy with significantly improved trade value simply because ninth inning experience counts 5x more than any other experience for some reason. 

What do you think about May taking over the closer role?

[jokin]

What do you think about May taking over the closer role?

 

Meyer?

[jimmer]

Meyer?

either one, actually.  doesn't matter. it might very well end up being Meyer in the long run.

[Platoon]

Burdi, that's why they signed him!

[nicksaviking]

I'm starting May and Meyer until the prove they aren't functional in that capacity.  Good relievers can be manufactured from failed starters, and failed starters are everywhere.  So if it was me, I'm not going to try to manufacture relievers from unproven starters since they are obviously a better commodity.

[jokin]

I'm starting May and Meyer until the prove they aren't functional in that capacity.  Good relievers can be manufactured from failed starters, and failed starters are everywhere.  So if it was me, I'm not going to try to manufacture relievers from unproven starters since they are obviously a better commodity.

 

There is a track record for success coming from the other developmental direction (Johan,  various Cards rookies-relievers-turned-starters, etc.)

[jokin]

Burdi, that's why they signed him!

 

The Twins ST pitching roster is so crowded, he didn't even get the ST invite.

[nicksaviking]

There is a track record for success coming from the other developmental direction (Johan,  various Cards rookies-relievers-turned-starters, etc.)

 

That's true, the Cards have done it that way, though Trevor Rosenthal got stuck and never ended up getting a chance to start.  It worked for Johan too, though I don't think he would have been in the pen had he not been a Rule V pick.

 

The way Ryan and Molitor have both talked lately, I don't think they want to put any starters in the pen.  They don't seem to think pitchers can be manipulated like that, though personally I do.  If they eventually did put a starter or two in the pen, I'd fear they would be reluctant to let them back out. 

[jokin]

That's true, the Cards have done it that way, though Trevor Rosenthal got stuck and never ended up getting a chance to start.  It worked for Johan too, though I don't think he would have been in the pen had he not been a Rule V pick.

 

The way Ryan and Molitor have both talked lately, I don't think they want to put any starters in the pen.  They don't seem to think pitchers can be manipulated like that, though personally I do.  If they eventually did put a starter or two in the pen, I'd fear they would be reluctant to let them back out. 

 

I'm struggling with the club's insistence with continuing Pelfrey in the potential role as a 5th starter, he actually might be effective as a one-inning set-up guy.

[nicksaviking]

I'm struggling with the club's insistence with continuing Pelfrey in the potential role as a 5th starter, he actually might be effective as a one-inning set-up guy.

 

Agreed.  Molitor made a point about a transition being too difficult because his warm up time is too long, and maybe there's some truth there considering how long he takes between pitches, but I don't know how you don't give it a shot, there really should be nothing to lose by trying, he simply should not be the #5 starter.

[Halsey Hall]

I'm struggling with the club's insistence with continuing Pelfrey in the potential role as a 5th starter, he actually might be effective as a one-inning set-up guy.

Why?  Pelfrey has as much right to compete for the spot as anyone else.  He actually might be the best option, IMO. 

 

I was concerned about Perkins last year and he really fell off later in the season.  I'm still concerned.  If he can't hack it as a closer with success, a move has to be made.  To have a good season we don't need to many blown saves.  Fein certainly isn't the one, he may not even be around long, as we've probably seen his best days.  As mentioned, maybe Oliveros, or maybe Duensing, I have no idea.  But I don't want to see a bunch of games lost in the 9th. 

[jokin]

Why?  Pelfrey has as much right to compete for the spot as anyone else.  He actually might be the best option, IMO. 

 

 

 

Because it's far past time to turn the page on Pelf as a viable option, he never should have been signed in the first place, and worse, re-signed in the second place.  It's not about Pelfrey's rights, by all accounts he has fully acquitted himself as a pretty decent guy, but virtually every single contributor in the TD community apparently had/has more insight on what Pelf brings to the table than Twins' management.

[jay]

If he can't hack it as a closer with success, a move has to be made.

Can't hack it? The guy has had more than a little bit of success.... that's a bit premature, no?

 

A little rib tweak early in ST is nothing. The sore elbow that affected his results at the end of last year is the one to watch and be concerned about.

[Halsey Hall]

Can't hack it? The guy has had more than a little bit of success.... that's a bit premature, no?

 

A little rib tweak early in ST is nothing. The sore elbow that affected his results at the end of last year is the one to watch and be concerned about.

That's right, and that's part of can't hack it.  Hopefully he'll stay healthy, as all the team, but we know injuries always happen.  If this was the season now he'd of been out going on a week. 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Burdi, that's why they signed him!

burdi is not on the 40, he won't be added for a 2 month stint at the beginning of the season.

[Platoon]

The Twins ST pitching roster is so crowded, he didn't even get the ST invite.

. Moves can be made, and the Twins pitching roster is not overly crowded with experienced college closers with triple digit gas!

[diehardtwinsfan]

burdi is not on the 40, he won't be added for a 2 month stint at the beginning of the season.

Agreed, for now. He'll start in AA most likely. If he has the same success he had last season, he'll be on the 40 at some point in the near future.

[jokin]

. Moves can be made, and the Twins pitching roster is not overly crowded with experienced college closers with triple digit gas!

 

Not being on the 40 and not getting a (well-deserved) ST invite means he'll still have to "wait his turn" as they sift through the other options.  If he continues at the same blistering pace as last year, he'll get a brief promotion from AA to AAA before they finally make room for him.