Kepler, Thielbar, Pagán, and Megill inactive for Toronto series

[Otto von Ballpark]

Chi Chi Gonzalez (Friday's starter) and Ian Hamilton will be two of the replacements.

Edit to add: Celestino is back with the team too from the COVID IL, so he might be another replacement.

[CRF]

Missing Kep and three pitchers...ouch! At least Pagan won't blow a game for us in Toronto!

[Otto von Ballpark]

Just a reminder that, after the Toronto series, these replacements can be removed from the 40-man roster and returned to the minor leagues without needing to be waived or optioned.

That will likely be the case for Gonzalez and Hamilton.

[gunnarthor]

Honestly, could have been worse.

[rwilfong86]

With Kepler fighting leg issues this gives him a chance to rest for a little bit.

[farmerguychris]

Where is the dislike button?

[nicksaviking]

Hard to believe fringy MLB players like Megill and Thielbar did this. You'd think they'd do everything to be in the good graces of the team.

Wasn't it supposed to be four pitchers though? So one of them is already injured/sick. Probably not Joe Ryan since he'd have to have been vaccinated to play in the Olympics last year.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

24 minutes ago, CRF said:

Missing Kep and three pitchers...ouch! At least Pagan won't blow a game for us in Toronto!

My thinking is that these moves improve our chances this weekend!  

[DJL44]

They'll miss Kepler

[LA Vikes Fan]

Not as big a deal as it could’ve been. Surprised about Kepler but I guess this may help him get through his leg issues by resting until Tuesday. Gonzalez’ start looks like a throwaway start but I’m very interested to see if Hamilton pitches well. If he does, he has a real chance of being added to 40 man and being brought up right away or later in the season. I kind of wish I we could find a way to get Spencer Speer a look right now since watching Polanco play makes me wonder if an IL stint may be coming up soon. He is completely off.

[Rosterman]

Contreras, on the taxi squad, gets the call. Celestino is also travelling with the team and working out.

 

[kydoty]

Darn, if only there was something Max could’ve done to prevent this.  Oh well, can’t be helped.

Disclaimer:  This is not at all about the effectiveness of the vaccine.  It’s about the Canadian government not allowing anyone into their country who hasn’t had one.  Max knew this rule, and he made the decision to not comply with it.  He doesn’t get to complain about the team not being together.

 

[Linus]

1 hour ago, nicksaviking said:

Hard to believe fringy MLB players like Megill and Thielbar did this. You'd think they'd do everything to be in the good graces of the team.

Wasn't it supposed to be four pitchers though? So one of them is already injured/sick. Probably not Joe Ryan since he'd have to have been vaccinated to play in the Olympics last year.

This was my thought as well. Maybe Megill gets Wally Pipped by Hamilton. My other thought is that I don’t think Max is the brightest bulb on the tree. 

[USAFChief]

This tells me a lot about Kirilloff, for one thing. 

 

[bighat]

3 hours ago, gunnarthor said:

Honestly, could have been worse.

Yeah. Frankly I don't mind taking a look at Hamilton and seeing if he'll be a good long-term replacement for Pagan, Theilbar or Megill. I've always liked his stuff from what I've seen.

Kepler's definitely a blow, Twins can't really replace him with an equal or better bat/glove combo.

[bighat]

3 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

 

Wasn't it supposed to be four pitchers though? So one of them is already injured/sick. Probably not Joe Ryan since he'd have to have been vaccinated to play in the Olympics last year.

I have suspected Gray would have been the other pitcher. Just a hunch, nothing more.

[chpettit19]

1 hour ago, USAFChief said:

This tells me a lot about Kirilloff, for one thing. 

 

Found it to be very interesting that he wasn't given a 3 game test run. Question is whether is a vaccination status thing or if they're not trusting him yet.

[puckstopper1]

6 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Found it to be very interesting that he wasn't given a 3 game test run. Question is whether is a vaccination status thing or if they're not trusting him yet.

I hope that Kirilloff not getting the call was due to his Vax status as the Twins could sure use him if he is healthy.

[chpettit19]

Just now, puckstopper1 said:

I hope that Kirilloff not getting the call was due to his Vax status as the Twins could sure use him if he is healthy.

Agreed. Even if it's just a 3 game stint to test out where he's at against major league pitching. Felt like a perfect opportunity to get him a little run if they could so I hope it's just that he wasn't a possibility.

[howeda7]

Is Kepler willing to miss a play-off series over this?

[Boom Boom]

Besides this, are there any vaccines that MLB players are required to get?

I did a search & only got info about COVID.  I'm curious if they need to be vaccinated for MMR, hepatitis, etc.

[USAFChief]

6 minutes ago, Boom Boom said:

Besides this, are there any vaccines that MLB players are required to get?

I did a search & only got info about COVID.  I'm curious if they need to be vaccinated for MMR, hepatitis, etc.

Well, They're not required to get the covid vax. They simply can't enter Canada without it.

Interesting question about other vaccines though. 

 

[Craig Arko]

40 minutes ago, Boom Boom said:

Besides this, are there any vaccines that MLB players are required to get?

I did a search & only got info about COVID.  I'm curious if they need to be vaccinated for MMR, hepatitis, etc.

Book a flight to Toronto. They should inform you of what’s required.

[Craig Arko]

I looked up the game preview on the MLB app and for the Twins they list ‘Lineup currently unavailable.’ This sounds about right. 

[Boom Boom]

2 hours ago, Craig Arko said:

Book a flight to Toronto. They should inform you of what’s required.

I mean are there any vaccines mandated for all MLB players, regardless of where they are playing.

[baul0010]

4 hours ago, USAFChief said:

This tells me a lot about Kirilloff, for one thing. 

 

Maybe he's not vaccinated and now won't have to deal with the drama or questions.  I figured Kirilloff would be up?!?!

[Craig Arko]

7 minutes ago, Boom Boom said:

I mean are there any vaccines mandated for all MLB players, regardless of where they are playing.

Hopefully most of them have had TB and smallpox shots. 

[rwilfong86]

5 hours ago, USAFChief said:

This tells me a lot about Kirilloff, for one thing. 

 

You raise a good point. I wonder if he also didn't receive the vaccine.

[h2oface]

This whole vax protocol for getting into Canada for games would seem to give Toronto a real advantage against just about each team that they play at home. 

[Squirrel]

20 minutes ago, rwilfong86 said:

You raise a good point. I wonder if he is also anti-vaxx

Please, let’s get away from this label. I know people who don’t get every vaccine. They do their research, consult with their doctors, and choose. Doesn’t make them anti-vaxx.

And please, let’s get back to baseball and roster discussions