Article: Twins Place Michael Pineda on DL, Devin Smeltzer Recalled

[Cody Christie]

Minnesota announced on Tuesday morning that Michael Pineda is being placed on the 10-day injured list due to right knee tendinitis. In a corresponding move, Devin Smeltzer was added to the 40-man roster and he will be scheduled to make his big-league debut on Tuesday night against MilwaukeeMichael Pineda had one bad inning last night, but he rolled through the rest of his innings. He didn’t appear to be in any discomfort last night. It was his four consecutive quality start. He won’t be eligible to come off the DL until June 7. Currently, the Twins have two scheduled off days before June 7. This could mean the team uses a four-man rotation until Pineda is available to return.

 

Pineda has made 11 starts this season and he has a 5.34 ERA. He missed all of last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery and a torn meniscus, which was also in his right knee.

 

Smeltzer’s start on Tuesday might be a little bit of a surprise. He’s has been dominating in the minor leagues, Martin Perez was scheduled to start on Tuesday. This might be a sign that he isn’t fully healthy either. The Twins have been rolling so far this year and the rotation has exceeded all expectations. At some point, injuries were going to happen and now the club will have to rely on other pieces in the organization.

 

Smeltzer came to the Twins from the Dodgers organization as part of the Brian Dozier trade last year. He dominated in four starts at Double-A to start the year as he went 3-1 with a 0.60 ERA. He struck out 33 in only 30 innings on the mound. Since being promoted to Rochester, he has a 1.82 ERA during four starts.

 

Seth did a Get to Know You episode with Smeltzer last week. He is taking the 40-man roster spot that had been occupied by Austin Adams. You can listen to the 23 minute podcast here:

 

 

What are your thoughts on the injury situation? Should fans be worried about Perez as well? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.

 

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[jkcarew]

Very happy for Devin Smeltzer!

 

It seems likely that the Pineda move was executed, in large part, to take advantage of the upcoming off days to push all starters back a day (not just Perez). It puts them in a position to go with 4 fresh starters for the next couple of weeks...and also gives Pineda time to work on whatever physical things he needs to. It's the type of move that can pay dividends down the line, and the type of decision made easier with the confidence of a 10-game lead heading into June.

[nicksaviking]

As is the case with most young pitchers who don’t miss many bats, my expectations are pretty low for Smeltzer. Though he was getting good strikeout numbers in AA. Maybe Wes Johnson has some ideas.

 

Regardless, go get Devin, and keep rocking the Kent Tekulve look!

[rdehring]

Well that's sure a surprise.  Could Perez be battling the same illness that Kepler and others had over the weekend?

 

I guess we will see what Smeltzer can do on the big stage.  

[Otto von Ballpark]

I mentioned in the other thread, but before this move, Pineda was on pace for 171.2 innings for the season, right around his career high (and way more than he's pitched the last 2 years, obviously!).

 

Perez was on a similar near-career-high pace, since moving back into the rotation -- 193.1 innings. And Perez had a low innings year last year too, plus new mechanics/velocity this year.

 

I wonder if they've been planning this for a few days -- Smelzter wasn't scheduled to start in AAA today, but presumably he could have already adjusted his throw day in preparation for this start.

Edited May 28, 2019 by spycake

[USAFChief]

Obviously a move to showcase Smelzer in preparation for a Scherzer trade.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Obviously a move to showcase Smelzer in preparation for a Scherzer trade.

It scherly smeltz like that.

[TheMatt]

Rocco said on mlb radio expecting Mike to only miss one start

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Rocco said on mlb radio expecting Mike to only miss one start

Thanks, good to hear that.

 

Smeltzer could start tonight, then get sent back down after the game -- maybe for a Nelson Cruz activation, before our next game (Thursday)?

 

Pineda would be eligible to return June 7, and we wouldn't need a 5th starter again until June 8 (although we wouldn't have needed one tonight either, if we had used Perez).

[MMMordabito]

O/U up to 10 (from 9.5) and Minn to -110 (from -115) for the game tonight .... Vegas didn't like Smeltzer replacing Perez

[Alex Schieferdecker]

Welcome to the big leagues kid, here's Christian Yelich.

[jimbo92107]

 

It scherly smeltz like that.

I don't usually vote up schtuff like that, but thish one was schpecial. 

[jimbo92107]

Sounds like Devin Smeltzer rates a cuppa coffee if anybody ever did. I wonder if beating cancer will give him the kind of perspective on pressure that combat veterans have for professional sports. People that have faced death sometimes laugh at the idea that a 3-2 count with a runner on third base is pressure. If they fail, a guy moves ninety feet, and a number changes on the scoreboard. Hahahahahaha!

 

May your life experiences serve you well, Devin Smeltzer. Welcome to the Show.

[Trov]

The front office sure knows how to work the IL, and roster movement.  Next year this will not be as easy when they go back to 15 day IL and believe I read longer stints at AAA when sent down, may be wrong about second part, but know 15 day IL is back.  To me they know how to work the rules in their favor.  

 

Here is to hoping Smeltzer can shut down the brew crew, split the series and head down to Tampa on a good note. 

[Mike Sixel]

I agree, the FO seems to be doing well with the rules this year, though the Cruz thing is a bit hard to understand at this point....

[stringer bell]

 

The front office sure knows how to work the IL, and roster movement.  Next year this will not be as easy when they go back to 15 day IL and believe I read longer stints at AAA when sent down, may be wrong about second part, but know 15 day IL is back.  To me they know how to work the rules in their favor.  

 

Here is to hoping Smeltzer can shut down the brew crew, split the series and head down to Tampa on a good note. 

IIRC, there will be an extra player next year (26-man roster), so some of this will be moot.

[MNT1996]

 

I agree, the FO seems to be doing well with the rules this year, though the Cruz thing is a bit hard to understand at this point....

 

There's really not much to it. Cruz has a sore wrist and Twins want to rest him. Offense has been doing fine without Cruz so there's no need to rush him. 

Edited May 28, 2019 by MNT1996

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

though the Cruz thing is a bit hard to understand at this point....

Perhaps they figured they didn't need Cruz vs the White Sox (correct), and they were postponing his activation until they did this little starting pitcher dance with Pineda and Smeltzer? Although some might say we could have used him vs Milwaukee...

 

Assuming they send down Smeltzer and activate Cruz before the Tampa series, that lets them keep Arraez, Astudillo, and all the current relievers on the roster too, until Garver or Pineda is ready to come back.

[IndianaTwin]

Optimistically, I'm thinking it's a great strategic move that...

• Buys a skipping of the rotation one time on Pineda, who, as Spycake notes above, is on pace for an innings total that approaches career highs, which is particularly significant when bouncing back from injury. It does the skip when, on the way back from injury, he may building up a backlog of fatigue that could be addressed well with the skip.
• Picks up an "off day" in the schedule for Perez, Berrios, Odo, Gibson, when there haven't been many off days over the past six-seven weeks.
• Rewards Smeltzer for the great work he's done in the minors and gives him a taste of MLB.
• Happens at a time when the bullpen is relatively rested and headed 

 

Pessimistically...

• Wait, at 35-18, I don't do pessimistically. 

 

 

[SomeGuy]

 

I agree, the FO seems to be doing well with the rules this year, though the Cruz thing is a bit hard to understand at this point....

He is still feeling it in his wrist and they would rather let him get to 100%.

 

Do-Hyoung Park

Nelson Cruz, whose left wrist is still sore but improving, continues to be cautious with his recovery and noted that the Twins' current success at the plate helps him avoid pushing his recovery timeline. The Twins did not plan to have Cruz hit again on Saturday or Sunday.

"I don't want it to be something I'm dealing with all year long," Cruz said. "I want to make sure when I go out there it's 100 percent. Only when I'm swinging."

[MNT1996]

 

Perhaps they figured they didn't need Cruz vs the White Sox (correct), and they were postponing his activation until they did this little starting pitcher dance with Pineda and Smeltzer? Although some might say we could have used him vs Milwaukee...

 

Assuming they send down Smeltzer and activate Cruz before the Tampa series, that lets them keep Arraez, Astudillo, and all the current relievers on the roster too, until Garver or Pineda is ready to come back.

 

Garver sounds like he'll be ready to play for the weekend, Rocco says Pineda is only going to miss 1 start and Cruz might be ready to go for Tampa. So it'll probably be Smeltzer getting sent down after his start -> Garver being activated and possibly Arraez getting sent down after today's game -> Cruz being activated. When Pineda gets activated its probably going to be either Littel or Astudillo being sent down. 

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Garver sounds like he'll be ready to play for the weekend, Rocco says Pineda is only going to miss 1 start and Cruz might be ready to go for Tampa. So it'll probably be Smeltzer getting sent down after his start -> Garver being activated and possibly Arraez getting sent down after today's game -> Cruz being activated. When Pineda gets activated its probably going to be either Littel or Astudillo being sent down. 

It doesn't sound like Garver would return before Saturday:

https://www.mlb.com/news/mitch-garver-heads-to-rehab-assignment

 

 

Garver was headed to Double-A Pensacola on Monday night for his rehab assignment. The plan is for him to use Tuesday as a workout day to run the bases and then to catch five innings Wednesday against Mississippi. Assuming no setbacks, Garver likely would not catch on Thursday but then catch a full game on Friday.

 

I would assume Cruz is ahead of that, but the last I read, he didn't swing a bat all weekend. (He previously took batting practice last week, though, so maybe it was just extra rest once they decided they weren't going to activate him for Milwaukee?)

https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/twins-nelson-cruz-not-taking-swings-with-bat/

[diehardtwinsfan]

wondering if Turtle is going to get sent down. Arraez is hitting the cover off the ball, and Turtle hasn't been hitting well lately.

[Doomtints]

Reality check: He is really injured. You can't put a player on the IL without doctor approval and without player approval. If a team manages to pay off a doctor, the player can still object to the league which brings in the MLB's doctors to make a determination. Similarly, doctor approval and player approval is required to take someone off the IL, with the same escalation path to MLB doctors if there is a disagreement.

 

Putting someone on the IL is a lot of paperwork.

 

In other words, this isn't a ploy to give him some rest.

 

This is the same knee Pineda tore up late last year and it makes sense that it would be sore.

 

Pineda can probably have a sub-2.00 ERA as a bullpen arm and the Twins need someone who can do that. He would be the ideal setup guy. Move him there when he gets back. This is going to be a nagging injury if they keep putting him out there for long stretches, and the Twins have to consider Pineda's future as a ballplayer.

Edited May 28, 2019 by Doomtints

[SomeGuy]

Adrianza .231/.333/.397 (.731OPS) 96 wRC+

Astudillo .264/.276/.396 (.671 OPS) 70 wRC+ (worst OPS and wRC+ on team, only Twins hitter with negative WAR)

 

Once/if the Twins are fully healthy I think the roster pinch solution is pretty obvious. Astudillo is currently the worst hitter on the roster. Whether he is reluctant to take a pitch or just that bad at pitch recognition, he needs to make some changes. Once Garver is activated (possibly this weekend), I would send Astudillo down and continue to give Arraez as many at bats as possible from a bench role.

[John Kelsey]

 

Adrianza .231/.333/.397 (.731OPS) 96 wRC+

Astudillo .264/.276/.396 (.671 OPS) 70 wRC+ (worst OPS and wRC+ on team, only Twins hitter with negative WAR)

 

Once/if the Twins are fully healthy I think the roster pinch solution is pretty obvious. Astudillo is currently the worst hitter on the roster. Whether he is reluctant to take a pitch or just that bad at pitch recognition, he needs to make some changes. Once Garver is activated (possibly this weekend), I would send Astudillo down and continue to give Arraez as many at bats as possible from a bench role.

 

Astudillo is an easy choice when Garver comes back. His bat is supposed to be his strength but it's been a weakness this year. He's also "versatile" but plays each position poorly. 

[MNT1996]

 

Adrianza .231/.333/.397 (.731OPS) 96 wRC+

Astudillo .264/.276/.396 (.671 OPS) 70 wRC+ (worst OPS and wRC+ on team, only Twins hitter with negative WAR)

 

Once/if the Twins are fully healthy I think the roster pinch solution is pretty obvious. Astudillo is currently the worst hitter on the roster. Whether he is reluctant to take a pitch or just that bad at pitch recognition, he needs to make some changes. Once Garver is activated (possibly this weekend), I would send Astudillo down and continue to give Arraez as many at bats as possible from a bench role.

 

Gonna have to disagree with this one. Sure Astudillo is in a little bit of a slump since getting of IR, but he adds a lot of versatility to the field, especially since Garver will have just gotten off IR and Twins will need a little more flexibility at catcher. Arraez will benefit much more from a player development standpoint by playing everyday at AAA. Sure it's nice to have his bat, but the Twins don't really need it right now. They'll have Cruz and Garver back soon, which are two of our best hitters.

[MNT1996]

 

Astudillo is an easy choice when Garver comes back. His bat is supposed to be his strength but it's been a weakness this year. He's also "versatile" but plays each position poorly. 

 

The notion that Tortuga plays each position poorly is just not true. He's got a good arm behind the plate and has a 1.000 field percentage in 197 innings played.

Edited May 28, 2019 by MNT1996

[Doomtints]

First a reality check: Astudillo is hitting like a catcher and he is a catcher. Comparing his bat to others who are not catchers, well....

 

Molitor started playing Astudillo everywhere except his natural position, for some reason, and he did well enough for that practice to continue. This doesn't mean he isn't primarily a catcher.

 

In any case, yes Astudillo should be sent down when Garver comes up if they need to open up a spot. He could use regular at bats. He knows he is on the fringe of the roster and he's not going to be upset about it. His role this year can be the AAAA guy who bounces between the majors and minors as needed. If he plays sharp the rest of the way, his role can be different next year or even later this year.

[MNT1996]

 

First a reality check: Astudillo is hitting like a catcher and he is a catcher. Comparing his bat to others who are not catchers, well....

 

Molitor started playing Astudillo everywhere except his natural position, for some reason, and he did well enough for that practice to continue. This doesn't mean he isn't primarily a catcher.

 

In any case, yes Astudillo should be sent down when Garver comes up if they need to open up a spot. He could use regular at bats. He knows he is on the fringe of the roster and he's not going to be upset about it. His role this year can be the AAAA guy who bounces between the majors and minors as needed. If he plays sharp the rest of the way, his role can be different next year or even later this year.

 

I just don't think it's smart to send down our 3rd catcher when our primary catcher just got off the IR. Garver will not be able to do the catch/not catch/catch/not catch rotation for a couple weeks so he can get readjusted. You're gonna need Tortuga until Garver is at full strength. Keeping Astudillo up keeps stress off of both Garver and Castro. 

 

I think Littel should be sent down before Tortuga.

Edited May 28, 2019 by MNT1996