Robertson optioned to Rochester

[IdahoPilgrim]

According to 1500ESPN website, Tyler Robertson has been optioned to Rochester. A corresponding roster move will be made tomorrow.

 

My guess - Swarzak is reactivated (just a guess).

[LaBombo]

That was quick.

[IdahoPilgrim]

That was quick.

 

Swarzak threw 50 pitches in a EST game last Tuesday - hence my guess.

[beckmt]

Too bad, not that Robertson had to go down, just that Swarzak will be a Twin again. He is on my list of players that should be gone on an improved Twins team.

[LaBombo]

Swarzak threw 50 pitches in a EST game last Tuesday - hence my guess.

 

Good guess; seems just a little soon for Swarzy but it's not like they're bristling with good options. My comment was just in reference to the quick hook off the 25 man for Tyler. Hope he can figure some things out in AAA, but at this point it's beginning to look like any positive contribution from him in 2013 or even beyond would be a bonus.

[greengoblinrulz]

with Butera breaking his hand opening day, any move is ok

[Riverbrian]

Gardy must have really felt strongly that Robertson should have started Davis off with a slider.

[LaBombo]

Gardy must have really felt strongly that Robertson should have started Davis off with a slider.

 

That's what I was getting at. Yes, relievers have low job security to begin with, especially ones without great stuff. It may be that the Twins just don't like what they're seeing in his mechanics, but usually they let Andy work on that for a bit before throwing in the towel.

 

I'm fine with the move, but you have to think it may have quite a bit to do with that 'historic' long ball. If so, it's got a bit of 'good call, bad reason' to it.

[drjim]

Too bad, not that Robertson had to go down, just that Swarzak will be a Twin again. He is on my list of players that should be gone on an improved Twins team.

 

I imagine he will have a relatively short leash.

[IdahoPilgrim]

That's what I was getting at. Yes, relievers have low job security to begin with, especially ones without great stuff. It may be that the Twins just don't like what they're seeing in his mechanics, but usually they let Andy work on that for a bit before throwing in the towel.

 

It may have less to do with Robertson and more to do with Swarzak being ready. I think if Swarzak is not injured during ST, Robertson doesn't make the club in the first place - especially with Roenicke and Pressly turning out as they have.

[clutterheart]

This leaves the bullpen with only 1 left handed option. - Duensing

 

I'm not sure I would choose Swarzak over Robertson. What role will Swarzak have going forward? Roenicke, Pressly & Swarzak are all competing for the same role.

 

Seems like Gardy is going to be short-handed now.

[LaBombo]

It may have less to do with Robertson and more to do with Swarzak being ready. I think if Swarzak is not injured during ST, Robertson doesn't make the club in the first place - especially with Roenicke and Pressly turning out as they have.

 

Probably right. The rotation has taken the lion's share of the off-season criticism, but the bullpen is... a mixed bag. At any rate, I'll bet that Robey takes the demotion to be more about performance than may be to the Twins.

 

Hope it turns out well for all parties involved, and that it wasn't a coin flip that Schwarzy won over tRob because he's another swing starter in the pen.

[cmathewson]

I don't think this has as much to do with their displeasure with Robertson as needing to make room for Swarzak. After three consecutive starts of less than six innings, the Twins need someone who can eat innings out there, especially with Hernandez starting tomorrow and not expected to go more than five. Roenicke will not be available after throwing 3 innings tonight. Burton is delicate. They don't want to put too much pressure on Pressly.

 

All that adds up to a need for a guy who can take the ball for two or three innings. Robertson is just a lefty specialist, which is a luxury the Twins can't afford right now.

[stringer bell]

It is probably Swarzak, I suppose. I am not a big fan, but the Twins' braintrust really likes guys who take the ball and particularly relievers who go multiple innings. I was thinking that Hernandez would be "one and done", making a start and then being sent back to Rochester immediately. With Robertson leaving, perhaps they will put him in the bullpen, again giving the team three bullpen lefties. He also would be able to go multiple innings as soon as he recovered from his outing on Sunday.

[cmathewson]

I think they want Hernandez to stay a starter for the time being. The guy they ultimately will call up when they have room for another lefty reliever is Perez.

[IdahoPilgrim]

It is probably Swarzak, I suppose. I am not a big fan, but the Twins' braintrust really likes guys who take the ball and particularly relievers who go multiple innings. I was thinking that Hernandez would be "one and done", making a start and then being sent back to Rochester immediately. With Robertson leaving, perhaps they will put him in the bullpen, again giving the team three bullpen lefties. He also would be able to go multiple innings as soon as he recovered from his outing on Sunday.

 

My guess is he will be "one and done." Diamond should be just about ready to go, and he'll take that spot.

[fairweather]

regardless of how well Hernandez's start gos today the Twins need to consider making him the second lefty in the bullpen. Robertson has the velocity of a high school pitcher and only 1 semi effective pitch.

[stringer bell]

Let's see--for today the only bullpen guy unavailable should be Roenicke. I don't figure Hernandez for more than five innings, so Pressly, Duensing, Fien, Burton and Perkins might all get in. Still, with some uncertainty about Diamond and ineffectiveness from Hendriks, maybe they'll find a way to keep Hernandez around for a week or so. Diamond should throw today and I hope all goes well for him. There really isn't an obvious candidate to demote besides Hernandez, but things have a way of changing quickly.

[stringer bell]

regardless of how well Hernandez's start gos today the Twins need to consider making him the second lefty in the bullpen. Robertson has the velocity of a high school pitcher and only 1 semi effective pitch.

Agreed, he didn't seem to have enough on his fastball. Veteran lefty Clay Rapada was released by the Yankees, if the Twins want a LOOGy, he would be a candidate. Thielbar has struggled so far in Rochester and nobody else in the organization fits the profile of lefty specialist.

[fairweather]

Duensing is not very good either especially against RHB. Hernandez has the kind of change-up that can give RHB fits. So I would like Duensing to be the LOOGY and Hernandez can be the LHP out of the pen you could trust against hitters from either side. Robertson can stay in AAA until he finds a decent fastball.

[fairweather]

As far as what to do Roster wise when Diamond is ready? I would send Hendriks down. Liam has shown that he's capable of making some adjustment and I have more faith now that he can be a good pitcher in the future but he wasn't able to locate his fastball all spring and still exhibited that problem against Baltimore. A little time away from old Rick Anderson would probably allow him to fix his mechanics.

[Thrylos]

Gardy must have really felt strongly that Robertson should have started Davis off with a slider.

 

Do you know what the catcher called?

[3up3down]

fairweather, have you seen Hernandez ? his fastball doesnt exactly light up the radar gun.. if Hernandez pitches well then maybe Hendriks will be sent down..

[Physics Guy]

The need for another LHP out of the bullpen may not be as great as stated. Duensing is capable of being more than a LOOGY, but that might be his best role. Both Fien and Roenicke had a better split against LHB than RHB last year and Burton was league average against LHB. Gardy may have to adjust his thinking and use Perk occasionally in the 8th against tough lefties. Burton can take the 9th when need be. I think this would work, but I doubt Gardy would agree. Then again, I was doubtful he would bat Mauer 2nd.

[Mr. Brooks]

Do you know what the catcher called?

 

Why does this matter?

Gardy has gone out of his way multiple times over the years to point out that regardless of what the catcher puts down, it's the pitcher who has final say.

Shake him off until he puts down the slider.

[Riverbrian]

Do you know what the catcher called?

 

No I don't... I only typed it because that was Gardy's comment after the game.

 

He said "Robertson should have started with a slider"

 

No idea if it was a dry joke or a serious statement...

 

Robertson responded with "I left the pitch up... A fastball was fine if I would have kept it down".

 

Regardless... I was just making a goofy comment... I doubt a slider call was why he was sent down... But who knows.

[greengoblinrulz]

wasn't ROC @ 25 guys already....assume they just put Butera on the DL w/broken hand??

[Thrylos]

wasn't ROC @ 25 guys already....assume they just put Butera on the DL w/broken hand??

 

With Butera on the DL and Hernandez up, they were one short on their active, which is full now with Robertson. Interesting to see what happens when Diamond is activated and someone would need to go down.

[ashbury]

This leaves the bullpen with only 1 left handed option. - Duensing

...

Seems like Gardy is going to be short-handed now.

 

Well, as the old saying goes, nobody needs a left-handed pitcher. What is needed is a guy who can get lefties out.

[snepp]

Well, as the old saying goes, nobody needs a left-handed pitcher. What is needed is a guy who can get lefties out.

 

What this team needs is another (roid-version) Rincon in the pen, no platoon split whatsoever, no roster spot wasted on 3rd lefty.