Front Page: Brusdar Graterol Among 8 Callups, Kyle Gibson to the IL

[Tom Froemming]

The Twins have announced a round of roster moves in conjunction with rosters expanding. Here’s a quick snapshot:

 

Coming up: Willians Astudillo, Brusdar Graterol, Zack Littell, Ian Miller, Devin Smeltzer, Kohl Stewart, Lewis Thorpe and LaMonte Wade.

 

Going to the IL: Kyle Gibson.The most exciting move among these announced roster additions is certainly Brusdar Graterol. He just turned 21-years-old earlier this week, and the Twins gave him quite the belated birthday present.

 

Graterol missed more than two months earlier this season, but returned to action just before the end of July and started working out of the bullpen. In nine outings, Graterol pitched to a 2.03 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and held opposing hitters to a .143/.234/.238 batting line (.472 OPS). He struck out 15 batters in 13 1/3 innings and topped out at 103.8 mph.

 

Ian Miller is the only other callup who has yet to make his major league debut. Acquired from the Mariners in early August, Miller's speed is his calling card. He's stolen 243 bases in his minor league career and been caught stealing just 51 times. That's a success rate of 82.7%. An outfielder, Miller hit .264/.346/.431 (.777 OPS) in 514 Triple-A plate appearances this season.

 

Kyle Gibson hitting the Injured List is an unexpected development. Gibson has been suffering from ulcerative colitis. Here's a link to more information on that disease via the Mayo Clinic. It sounds like a potentially serious ailment, but at the very least something really terrible to endure. Here's wishing Kyle a quick recovery.

 

In order to clear space on the 40-man roster, Sean Poppen was transferred to the 60-day IL due to a right elbow contusion.

 

The additions of Willians Astudillo, Zack Littell, Devin Smeltzer, Kohl Stewart, Lewis Thorpe and LaMonte Wade were all expected. The biggest takeaway is that Astudillo and Wade, who were both on rehab assignments, were deemed healthy enough to be activated from the IL.

 

Perhaps more notable is the players on the 40-man roster who were not added to the active roster. That includes Ryne Harper, Trevor Hildenberger and Fernando Romero. That trio was expected to be a big part of the Twins bullpen at the onset of the season. It's always possible they'll join the team at a later date.

 

Also among the players not activated were Marcos Diplan and Stephen Gonsalves, who has looked good on the road to recovery. Jorge Alcala, a triple-digit-throwing pitching prospect who was promoted last week from AA to AAA with Graterol, also did not get a promotion, though he would've required being added to the 40-man roster. The last player on the 40-man roster to mention is Nick Gordon, but unlike Gonsalves, he has yet to return to action since suffering a left lower leg contusion.

 

Who are you most excited about? Comment below, but you need to signup first; we're not animals here.

 

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[old nurse]

Ian Miller. Your answer to why they did not add Hamilton.

[wabene]

Well there you go others were mentioning that Gibby looked gaunt. He's had digestive trouble all year and he does even thinner than usual. This could explain many things for him.

[purplesoldier4u]

My mom suffered from Colitis for many years, as well as Crohn's Disease. I wish Gibson the best ... it was not easy for my mom, but today's treatments are much improved. Nonetheless, it could be a huge change in lifestyle for him ... depending on the severity.

[John Bonnes]

So much to respond to here:

 

1) Graterol!

2) I'm only slightly less psyched to see how the Twins use Ian Miller. This team could've used a really good pinch runner a lot this year. 

3) Bummed for Hildenberger. 0.545 WHIP in the 7 games since he returned. That seems like someone this team could use.

4) Poppen was "recalled to not report" which I assume means he get a MLB salary and service time, which is a class move by the team. (And very opposite of how we felt this time last year with the Buxton shenanigans.)

5) Gibson news is a surprise, but it also isn't. We all were wondering just what was wrong. For his sake, I hope this isn't too serious and he recovers quickly. For the team's sake, him being healthy and back on his game for the postseason could be a real plus. 

[Otto von Ballpark]

4) Poppen was "recalled to not report" which I assume means he get a MLB salary and service time, which is a class move by the team. (And very opposite of how we felt this time last year with the Buxton shenanigans.)

 

They had to do that, in order to put Poppen on the MLB 60-day DL and free up a 40-man spot for Graterol. Class has nothing to do with it. If they didn't need the roster spot, they wouldn't have done it.

[IndianaTwin]

Harper, Hildenberger, Romero are all relievers. I suspect on or more will be up Tuesday after Rochester is done. They can’t deplete the roster too much with two games left.

[Mike Sixel]

Good luck to Gibson. Health issues suck. It also potentially explains this season.

 

I expect Alcala and Hildeberger to be up after Rochester is done. Well, hope on Alcala.

[corey]

My wife has ulcerative colitis, and it's not something you ever "recover" from. It's something you work to keep in remission as well as you can, while still dealing with symptoms on a daily basis. I do hope that he can get into remission and keep playing, but it's a disease that saps all your energy and motivation to do anything, even then.

[USNMCPO]

UC is an incredibly difficult condition. My son has it and suffers greatly. You never know when it will flair up and how debilitating it will be. Stress seems to be a contributing factor as well, so a pennant race plus the impending birth of his 3rd child cannot be great. Hopefully, he can get it under control enough to continue and be successful.

[Shaitan]

Congrats to Wade! He had a tough run in his first MLB experience.

[twinsrules22sano]

Willians Astudillo, and Devin smeltzer

[laloesch]

Would really like to see starts go to Graterol and Thorpe.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I’m just glad they are taking advantage of the expanded rosters. Seems like in previous years they only called up a couple of guys.

[Shaitan]

 

I’m just glad they are taking advantage of the expanded rosters. Seems like in previous years they only called up a couple of guys.

Keep in mind who was on those rosters...There's so much more talent on this team now.

[stringer bell]

So, who gets the starts for Gibson? I like Thorpe's stuff the best of the callups, but Smetzer makes the most out of his ability. No Kohl Stewart for me, thanks.

[Monkeypaws]

Ian Miller. Your answer to why they did not add Hamilton.

I looked him up after I started seeing his name in Rochester lineups. Became a fan reading his hitory. Pretty cool for him.

 

Sadly, looks like end of the Zander Weil era.

[nokomismod]

 

So, who gets the starts for Gibson? I like Thorpe's stuff the best of the callups, but Smetzer makes the most out of his ability. No Kohl Stewart for me, thanks.

This is one of the most important parts of September if the Twins make the playoffs. Hopefully Thorpe or Smetlzer will make the most of this opportunity and improve the SP for the playoffs.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I understand that Graterol can still be eligible for the playoffs -- but what's the reason for waiting until today? Couldn't they have just as easily put Poppen on the 60-day DL before midnight August 31, add Graterol and Miller then, and not trouble with petitioning the commissioner for postseason eligibility later?

 

Theoretically, that would also save the Gordon petition gambit to be applied to someone else, if necessary. (Not that there are a lot of other options.)

[DocBauer]

1] Very pleased by the opportunity for Graterol. I still think it's more about experience for 2020 but who knows, he might catch fire.

 

2] A little surprised by no Alcala, Hildenberger or Harper. Then again, Rochester still has a couple games to play so you can't bring up everyone.

 

3] Anyone else a little surprised Stewart was brought up?

 

4] This news about Gibson explains a lot. It felt all season he kept running out of gas about every other start. Not including just lacking endurance in general at the start of the season while recovering from his initial illness/diagnosis. But I never realized how thin he looked until his last start and a spotlight seemed to be shone on it.

 

Really hope he can learn to manage the condition. I've had similar issues most of my life, though to a much less degree. It is definitely present in my family. And when it flares up, fatigue can hit pretty quickly.

[jz7233]

Time to send Perez to IL.

[Riverbrian]

 

I understand that Graterol can still be eligible for the playoffs -- but what's the reason for waiting until today? Couldn't they have just as easily put Poppen on the 60-day DL before midnight August 31, add Graterol and Miller then, and not trouble with petitioning the commissioner for postseason eligibility later?

Theoretically, that would also save the Gordon petition gambit to be applied to someone else, if necessary. (Not that there are a lot of other options.)

 

I agree... I'm scratching my head over this. I'm sure they can maneuver if necessary but as you say... why maneuver?  

 

We had an extra 40 man spot to begin with plus Poppen to the 60 day. 

 

It seems intentional but for the life of me... I don't know why this was intended. 

[jorgenswest]

1] Very pleased by the opportunity for Graterol. I still think it's more about experience for 2020 but who knows, he might catch fire.

 

2] A little surprised by no Alcala, Hildenberger or Harper. Then again, Rochester still has a couple games to play so you can't bring up everyone.

 

3] Anyone else a little surprised Stewart was brought up?

 

 

Harper needs to be down 10 days. It was the same for Thorpe but he returned with Gibson on IL. I hope he is brought back as well as Hildenberger and Romero.

 

I am glad to see everyone who contributed on the team on the roster for the drive to the playoffs. Stewart’s moment was a shut down 9th through the heart of the A’s lineup before a walk off win against Oakland.

[rghrbek]

If they put Graterol on the 40 man before today wouldn't his clock start ticking?  September call ups do not, am I wrong?

 

It's probably the right thing to do, although if he is good, it would be nice to have him on playoff roster without giving up someone else to the IR.

 

 

[USAFChief]

Would really like to see starts go to Graterol and Thorpe.

Graterol has not been starting since his activation off the DL. He's not stretched out, zero time to do so. He's not getting any starts in the remainder of 2019. Possibly in an opener role, but not as a traditional starter.

[rghrbek]

If Graterol is good they will just put Gordon on the DL, as he won't be brought up anyway.  So best of both worlds I guess.

[IndyTwinsFan]

Nice opportunity for someone to step into Gibson's next 1 or 2 starts and show the team that they at least might have what it takes to earn a roster spot next season.

 

I hope that the UC conditions are at least partly to blame for the quality of his pitching much of the season. I also hope he can get the condition at least somewhat under control. Can't be enjoyable trying to be a major league pitcher with that condition.

[Otto von Ballpark]

If they put Graterol on the 40 man before today wouldn't his clock start ticking? September call ups do not, am I wrong?

 

You are wrong.

 

September counts towards service time the same as any other month. The only difference is in determining rookie eligibility for the ROY award.

[Riverbrian]

 

If they put Graterol on the 40 man before today wouldn't his clock start ticking?  September call ups do not, am I wrong?

 

It's probably the right thing to do, although if he is good, it would be nice to have him on playoff roster without giving up someone else to the IR.

 

Service time is accrued when he is wearing a major league uniform. It stops ticking when he sent back to Rochester. 

 

The only concern that you would have is a possible need to take him off the 40 man roster. This would expose him to other teams. That's why adding a guy to the 40 man early is something that must be done carefully and why teams are not in a big rush with young players. 

[Otto von Ballpark]

I understand that Graterol can still be eligible for the playoffs -- but what's the reason for waiting until today? Couldn't they have just as easily put Poppen on the 60-day DL before midnight August 31, add Graterol and Miller then, and not trouble with petitioning the commissioner for postseason eligibility later?

 

Theoretically, that would also save the Gordon petition gambit to be applied to someone else, if necessary. (Not that there are a lot of other options.)

Here's our answer:

 

https://twitter.com/LaVelleNeal/status/1168246545893998592?s=20

 

When you select someone's contract (add them to the 40-man roster), and it's during the 25-man roster portion of the season (from opening day through Aug. 31), you have to either add them to the 25-man or option them immediately. And once optioned, they have to spend 10 days on optional assignment.

 

That means Miller isn't technically postseason eligible yet either. I guess we could petition to use Gordon's spot and Gonsalves' spot to make both Miller and Graterol postseason eligible? Assuming Gonsalves doesn't get activated himself (he is on rehab right now).

 

Of course, we could have added and optioned Graterol/Miller on Aug. 22nd, and recalled them 10 days later on Sep. 1. Or done some DL stuff (Gibson/Gonzalez?). But I guess if there's a zero percent chance we need the postseason eligibility petition for Alcala or whatever, it doesn't much matter.