Cut Down Decision Getting Difficult

[Danchat]

10 minutes ago, Rosterman said:

Bigger decisions are Kirilloff and Gray upon their return (plus we can now throw Ober into the return mix, too). Alex needs at bats. His season started slow. I almost imagine them keeping him at AAA as long as they can at this point. Too bad Kepler or Galick can't play first (or can they).

I'd demote Celestino for Kirilloff (so Gilberto can get some playing time at AAA) and Stashak or Jax for Gray. 

[stringer bell]

6 minutes ago, Rosterman said:

Bigger decisions are Kirilloff and Gray upon their return (plus we can now throw Ober into the return mix, too). Alex needs at bats. His season started slow. I almost imagine them keeping him at AAA as long as they can at this point. Too bad Kepler or Galick can't play first (or can they).

 

The other joy now is that Sano, before he returns, could also go on a rehad assignment. I want to see how the Twins do without having to give at bats to Miguel. 

 

Looks like the Twins could move some bodies off the St. Paul roster and maybe start advancing players by the end of May, which I think would be a good thing. At that point, also decide if wonderful Winder should start games in AAA or stay in the pen at Target. I want to see Balazovc get back into the mix. Woods-Richardson is fighting for an advancement.

I think it was Bremer who said that Kirilloff will have to hit his way out of St. Paul (that is barring more injuries) and that makes sense to me. If he can't get his swing going, whether it's due to rust or injury, he really can't help the Twins. I do expect Gray back in somewhere between a week and ten days. I doubt Winder will spend much time at all in the minors. The Twins currently have two starters on the shelf and it will surprise me if they have all seven that have started games this year all healthy and relatively effective at once. Giving Sano a chance for a reset might be a blessing in disguise. 

Jordy Blaze (Balazovic) didn't have much luck in his first start, but the key thing here is his health. Apparently, Gray had no trouble with minor league hitters and will only need one more tuneup before he is back. Hopefully Ober won't be far behind, but as I said, it won't surprise me at all if one or more of the current five starters is out or ineffective by then.

[tony&rodney]

Winder is going to be on some type of innings limit this year and he would be served to stay with the Twins pitching out of the pen when he is not filling in as a starting pitcher. He didn't have much in the way of stress today and could likely have gone another 15-20 pitches. 

[Greglw3]

Since April 16, Jose Miranda has hit .300 for St. Paul. I thought he was ready before the season started. Lewis’ numbers are just phenomenal. He’d probably find plenty of AB if he’s really as good as he looks.

[beckmt]

I don't think sending Jax or Sands back down when Gray returns is going to be an issue.  Garlick could also be headed for the DL and take care of one promotion.  Who starts is more of a question when Ober returns than who stays. 

I believe the board is correct on kirloff, he will have to hit his way out of St. Paul and the Twins could still option him there for a while.  Laurach looks much better this time through and maybe has figured things out enough to stay.  

[Trov]

Kiriloff will have to hit his way out of St. Paul at this point.  Larnach is heating up and looking good doing it.  He is hitting to all fields, hitting lefties, and hitting the ball hard.  There is little reason to bring Kiriloff back if Larnach is hitting well.  Kiriloff may force his way back if he is hitting well and wrist healthy to take over 1st if Sano continues to not produce.  Sure, Sano may break out as his numbers seem to indicate hits may start coming, but he has not done that yet. 

Pitching always works it way out as injuries happen, guys will come up and go down.  Rarely is every pitcher on the 40 man healthy at the same time to really worry. 

[Eicemann]

23 hours ago, TopGunn#22 said:

Are the Twins "inventing" an injury for Sano (other than his less than stellar play)?  If so, by all means, send him down to St. Paul on an extended rehab assignment.  Sano needs this anyway to get his swing in tune.  But I hadn't heard what Sano's actual "ailment" is/was.  

Sano reportedly tweaked something in his left knee during that wretched baserunning display against the Tigers that resulted in victory after the Tigers butchered the rundown attempt. 

[MMMordabito]

Sano to IL ... Godoy to St. Paul