Article: Byron Buxton To The DL, Bartolo Colon To Start Against Yankees

[Parker Hageman]

It is a shame considering he was starting to find his rhythm at the plate, too.

 

Byron Buxton was beginning to make some noise with the bat -- producing a .387/.457/.516 batting line over his last ten games -- but now he will be sidelined with a groin strain. Buxton suffered the strain while racing for a double during the sixth inning of the contest in Houston on Friday night.

 

In addition to Buxton, the Minnesota Twins announced that they will have Bartolo Colon start against the New York Yankees on Tuesday.As far as Buxton injury goes, it would appear that he was growing more comfortable with his new swing mechanics, as evidence by his hard drive into the left field corner, but he clearly tweaked something on his way into second base. It is possible that he is able to return to the team by next week but the Twins will likely be cautious with their best defender.

 

Download attachment: z0BgLrl.gif

 

In addition to moving Buxton to the disabled list, the Minnesota Twins also announce they have reinstated Joe Mauer, who was placed on the DL on July 7 with a lower back issue. Mauer was having a decent campaign at the plate and was emerging as a high caliber defender at first base this season.

 

Perhaps most interesting, however, is the word that the Twins will have the recently acquired Bartolo Colon start Tuesday’s game against the Yankees. Colon made one start for the Rochester Red Wings last Thursday, working 3.2 innings, strikeout out five but surrendered four runs on four loud hits. Reports were that his outing wasn’t sharp, allowing some solid contact, and that the organization may have opted to keep him in Rochester for at least one more outing.

 

This season Colon has seen more horizontal movement from his two-seam fastball rather than the tilt he has gotten in the past. In short, the pitch has stayed up in the zone instead of darting down. Coincidentally or not Colon’s release point has dropped considerable over the last two years (from 5.9 feet to 5.7 to 5.5 this year) which could explain the difference in movement. If it is mechanical and he is able to regain that same release point, he might be able to piece things back together.

 

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[drjim]

Not a complete disaster for Buxton, gives him a chance to get a few lower pressure reps to consolidate hitting changes.

 

Not the ideal way out of the break though.

[Danchat]

Ugh, not a fan of Colon going up against the Yankees lineup after he had a poor start in AAA. That's going to be an ugly outing.

 

I'm guessing Gee gets DFA'd unless they put Haley on the 60 day DL, but I don't think that'll happen.

[yarnivek1972]

It is a shame considering he was starting to find his rhythm at the plate, too.

 

Byron Buxton was beginning to make some noise with the bat -- producing a .387/.457/.516 batting line over his last ten games -- but now he will be sidelined with a groin strain. Buxton suffered the strain while racing for a double during the sixth inning of the contest in Houston on Friday night.

 

In addition to Buxton, the Minnesota Twins announced that they will have Bartolo Colon start against the New York Yankees on Tuesday.As far as Buxton injury goes, it would appear that he was growing more comfortable with his new swing mechanics, as evidence by his hard drive into the left field corner, but he clearly tweaked something on his way into second base. It is possible that he is able to return to the team by next week but the Twins will likely be cautious with their best defender.

 

Download attachment: z0BgLrl.gif

 

In addition to moving Buxton to the disabled list, the Minnesota Twins also announce they have reinstated Joe Mauer, who was placed on the DL on July 7 with a lower back issue. Mauer was having a decent campaign at the plate and was emerging as a high caliber defender at first base this season.

 

Perhaps most interesting, however, is the word that the Twins will have the recently acquired Bartolo Colon start Tuesday’s game against the Yankees. Colon made one start for the Rochester Red Wings last Thursday, working 3.2 innings, strikeout out five but surrendered four runs on four loud hits. Reports were that his outing wasn’t sharp, allowing some solid contact, and that the organization may have opted to keep him in Rochester for at least one more outing.

 

This season Colon has seen more horizontal movement from his two-seam fastball rather than the tilt he has gotten in the past. In short, the pitch has stayed up in the zone instead of darting down. Coincidentally or not Colon’s release point has dropped considerable over the last two years (from 5.9 feet to 5.7 to 5.5 this year) which could explain the difference in movement. If it is mechanical and he is able to regain that same release point, he might be able to piece things back together.

 

Click here to view the article

Maybe Colon just can't get it up anymore. I've heard that can be a problem with older guys.

 

 

 

Hey! Minds out of the gutter! We're talking release point here.

[Jerr]

Gad's are the wheels coming off for this season???? 

[PDX Twin]

 

Gad's are the wheels coming off for this season???? 

 

If it is to happen, I think it is best for it to happen before the deadline in case someone is desperate for Dozier, Santana, Grossman, or someone else over 28.

[yarnivek1972]

If it is to happen, I think it is best for it to happen before the deadline in case someone is desperate for Dozier, Santana, Grossman, or someone else over 28.

Castro. Giminez.

[jud6312]

So, no point in watching on Tuesday night. Gotcha.

[Winston Smith]

 

So, no point in watching on Tuesday night. Gotcha.

Are you kidding? That could be the most entertaining game of the year.

[jud6312]

I really want to make snarky jokes about this, but honestly I'm too mad to do so.

 

44-year-old Big Sexy starting for a team that's "in the hunt" is the biggest joke I can remember since becoming a Twins fan back in 1985.

 

This is Tyner hitting cleanup. This Bartlett playing OF. This is Butch Huskey.

 

 

[spinowner]

 

I really want to make snarky jokes about this, but honestly I'm too mad to do so.

 

44-year-old Big Sexy starting for a team that's "in the hunt" is the biggest joke I can remember since becoming a Twins fan back in 1985.

 

This is Tyner hitting cleanup. This Bartlett playing OF. This is Butch Huskey.

 

 

I don't think of this team as being "in the hunt".

[yarnivek1972]

So, no point in watching on Tuesday night. Gotcha.

Actually, it could be must see TV. For individuals overcoming addiction, for example, it is said that they have to come to a realization that they have hit rock bottom before things can turn in a positive direction. That could very well be what Tuesday is for the Twins. Sending a 44 year old with an ERA north of 8 this season to face one of the best offensive teams in the league sure seems like it has the potential to be rock bottom for the Twins organization.

[Circus Boy]

 

I really want to make snarky jokes about this, but honestly I'm too mad to do so.

 

44-year-old Big Sexy starting for a team that's "in the hunt" is the biggest joke I can remember since becoming a Twins fan back in 1985.

 

This is Tyner hitting cleanup. This Bartlett playing OF. This is Butch Huskey.

 

 

I'm kicking back with a Grain Belt and enjoying the show.

[Craig Arko]

Maybe Colon just can't get it up anymore. I've heard that can be a problem with older guys.

Hey! Minds out of the gutter! We're talking release point here.

And besides, you'd be wrong.

[theBOMisthebomb]

Colon pitching on Tuesday reeks of desperation. Maybe the Boy Wonders know what they are doing and Colon will be a surprise and help the Twins. I am skeptical.

[mlhouse]

Why should anyone be surprised?  The point is what is the end game even if Colon pitches really well?  I guess if you believe we are "in the hunt" it might make sense, but in reality what we are in the hunt for is a "division" title in an extremely weak division and being swept in the playoffs by teams that are much better.  

 

So, apparently our front end office thinks it is worth putting off developing a REAL team down the road to pitch 44 year old pitchers and every waiver wire player that has been made in the major leagues this season.  

 

But the reality is this team isn't that good.  The record overstates this team.  While run differential isn't the end all statistic, a team that is -65 in runs isn't that good.  That is 6th worse in the majors.  I am not going to attribute everything to luck, but some of it is.  We are not good.  And pretending we are makes it possible to make long term mistakes (like trading away a prospect like Gordon for immediate help today) and pushes off some of the development and evaluation that needs to be done.

 

 

[Otto von Ballpark]

Shades of Bret Boone, 2005?

[h2oface]

The bad news...... and the horrible tragic pitching news. And Granite will be bouncing balls in to second from the outfield. 

[jud6312]

 

I don't think of this team as being "in the hunt".

That was why I used the quotes. I don't really think they are either, but BS belongs nowhere near a team with a winning record.

[Old Twins Cap]

I don't know, I like having Bartolo start against the Yankees.

 

He's a magician and a freak, and he might just muster a good outing.

 

That's must see baseball, IMHO

 

And for the pure rebuilders, I always remember the Twins, when competitive having an old someone or other that starts big games in August and September.

 

Didn't always work out, but still, it's okay to throw a veteran out there and hope.

[yarnivek1972]

I don't know, I like having Bartolo start against the Yankees.

 

He's a magician and a freak, and he might just muster a good outing.

 

That's must see baseball, IMHO

 

And for the pure rebuilders, I always remember the Twins, when competitive having an old someone or other that starts big games in August and September.

 

Didn't always work out, but still, it's okay to throw a veteran out there and hope.

There's "veteran" and there is "washed up". One is useful. One is not.

[Winston Smith]

 

I don't know, I like having Bartolo start against the Yankees.

He's a magician and a freak, and he might just muster a good outing.

That's must see baseball, IMHO

And for the pure rebuilders, I always remember the Twins, when competitive having an old someone or other that starts big games in August and September.

Didn't always work out, but still, it's okay to throw a veteran out there and hope.

And there is a chance Judge could hit a 600 foot homerun off a Colon not so fastball.

[drock2190]

I think Colon might be the veteran leader after Santana gets traded.

 

Besides, I rather watch Colon struggle then Wilk or other nobodies struggle.

[IndianaTwin]

For what it's worth, Brad Radke is only seven months older than Bartolo.

[yarnivek1972]

For what it's worth, Brad Radke is only seven months older than Bartolo.

...and Radke retired 11 years ago.

[h2oface]

So far, even Castro (who has been better in the past but is not helping the staff, it seems) has been disappointing. I can't say I have been happy with the very few things that the new FO has done. They sit back and watch real well, though. Colon is my least favorite move. I dislike it even more than Wilk and Belisle.

[mikelink45]

What is the purpose?  Of course putting our best young pitchers in to games against the best offenses in MLB might not be good either so Colon is fodder.  At least I hope he is just a short term move.  

 

I had to see what pitchers succeeded in their later ages - http://www.billjamesonline.com/other_pitchers_who_pitched_well_in_their_old_age/

when I get to the 44 and older group there are 12.  Four of them were knuckleball pitchers.  Two were spitballers.  Jesse Orosco was a relief pitcher, Satchel Paige was an amazing story, Warren Spahn was nearing the end of remarkable career just like Nolan Ryan and Tommy John was ending his career.  Bartolo will be on the list because he is old, but not because he is any good any more. 

[adorduan]

For what it's worth, Brad Radke is only seven months older than Bartolo.

What's he doing these days? Is he busy? Hmmmmmmm......

[Otto von Ballpark]

Radke's shoulder may have naturally healed over the last 10 years, right?

[Squirrel]

 

I don't think of this team as being "in the hunt".

Then it's the perfect time to see what Gonzalves or Romero have, not waaaaaaaaaay past their prime old timers. Sorry ... but this sucks on any level, whether the Twins are in the hunt or not.