Polanco to IL; Kiriloff called up

[Musk21]

Per Betsy Helfand.  This is Polanco's 1st ever trip to the IL!

[Brock Beauchamp]

Huh. So weird that it’s his first trip considering all the issues he has had.

I guess we’ll be seeing a lot of an Arraez/Kirilloff right side of the infield for a few weeks. 

[nicksaviking]

So Kirilloff to 1B and Arraez to 2B? 

A Polanco or Urshela injury were the one scenario I could have seen Steer get called up over Kirilloff, but they still did it this way. Not that I'm complaining. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

1 minute ago, nicksaviking said:

So Kirilloff to 1B and Arraez to 2B? 

A Polanco or Urshela injury were the one scenario I could have seen Steer get called up over Kirilloff, but they still did it this way. Not that I'm complaining. 

Urshela could see a Steer call-up because Arraez is not good at third but I think the team is somewhat comfortable playing him at second. This makes sense to me. 

[wsnydes]

I was actually wondering why this wasn't already done if Polanco's back is bothering him that much.  He clearly hasn't been right for a while now.

[stringer bell]

How far back can they backdate Polanco's IL stint? I think it is 3-5 days, but I'm not sure. While Polanco is one of the key players on the team, he has seemed out of sorts most of the season. Kirilloff should get a decent chance to show he is past the wrist injury. If Polanco can come back soon, then the team can decide who should be sent to St. Paul. 

Also, I'm wondering if Garlick will be activated for the Arizona series. They are facing a left hander tonight and we all know Garlick is the preferred choice against southpaws.

[wsnydes]

7 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

How far back can they backdate Polanco's IL stint?

I've actually always wondered that but have never looked into it.  Is there a limit to how far back an IL stint can be retroactive?

[Musk21]

3 minutes ago, wsnydes said:

I've actually always wondered that but have never looked into it.  Is there a limit to how far back an IL stint can be retroactive?

https://www.mlb.com/glossary/injuries/10-day-injured-list

"The maximum an IL stint can be backdated is three days, even if a player hasn't appeared in a game for longer than that."

[stringer bell]

14 minutes ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

Urshela could see a Steer call-up because Arraez is not good at third but I think the team is somewhat comfortable playing him at second. This makes sense to me. 

I know defensive stats are wonky and I don't trust them totally. That said, despite a dreadful inning at third base this year, Arraez grades out fairly well at third base. Also of note, Urshela has a negative rating in zone runs saved since all Twins broadcasters have all but declared him a gold glove finalist. Arraez would be fine at third if he got regular reps IMHO, and most likely superior to Miranda. 

From what I've seen and read, Kirilloff is the best option at first base in the Twins organization, at least from AA and up. He's decent in the outfield, but I think his ultimate destination in the field is first base.

[Musk21]

Probably not surprising, as the Twins are in Arizona, but Kiriloff is not in tonight's lineup.

[Squirrel]

1 hour ago, Musk21 said:

Per Betsy Helfand.  This is Polanco's 1st ever trip to the IL!

Wow ... that surprises me, given all his ankle issues from a couple years ago. that's actually pretty amazing ... hope this doesn't start a trend, though

[LA Vikes Fan]

The MLB website says Polanco's IL stint is retroactive to June 13, meaning he could come back on June 23, the last game of the series with Cleveland. 

[LA Vikes Fan]

You have to believe that starting tomorrow Kirilloff is at 1B with Arraez playing every day at 2B. Miranda will get his ABs at the DH or 3B spots and Larnach plays LF. I actually think the next five games before Polanco comes back are basically a tryout for these three guys. At the end, one of them will go down for Polanco and then a few days later someone has to go down for Garlick. I could see a scenario where two of the three stay and we lose a relief pitcher, but more likely is that these three guys are now playing for their spot and there ain't enough chairs for all three of them and maybe not even for two.

[raindog]

5 minutes ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

You have to believe that starting tomorrow Kirilloff is at 1B with Arraez playing every day at 2B. Miranda will get his ABs at the DH or 3B spots and Larnach plays LF. I actually think the next five games before Polanco comes back are basically a tryout for these three guys. At the end, one of them will go down for Polanco and then a few days later someone has to go down for Garlick. I could see a scenario where two of the three stay and we lose a relief pitcher, but more likely is that these three guys are now playing for their spot and there ain't enough chairs for all three of them and maybe not even for two.

On Monday, they're finally going to enforce the 13 pitcher rule, so a reliever will have to go down then. 

[USAFChief]

I would imagine Miranda at 1st against most lefties. Kirilloff against most righties.

[stringer bell]

It makes sense that AK not start today against a lefty especially since he will be traveling late to get to the desert. As long as he's on the roster, Miranda should be in the lineup versus lefties. BTW, I thought the plan was for Garlick to be activated as soon as today. With the day off yesterday and a day off on Monday, I think the Twins actually would be fine with one less arm in the bullpen.

[LA Vikes Fan]

45 minutes ago, raindog said:

On Monday, they're finally going to enforce the 13 pitcher rule, so a reliever will have to go down then. 

In a sense, that's good news. That means two of the three of Miranda, Kirilloff and Larnach can stay. Miranda probably stays to add a right-handed bat. Garlick comes in and replaces the relief pitcher that's sent out. I wonder if it will be Duffy . . .

[LA Vikes Fan]

40 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

It makes sense that AK not start today against a lefty especially since he will be traveling late to get to the desert. As long as he's on the roster, Miranda should be in the lineup versus lefties. BTW, I thought the plan was for Garlick to be activated as soon as today. With the day off yesterday and a day off on Monday, I think the Twins actually would be fine with one less arm in the bullpen.

I get the travel part and I could see them starting Miranda at 1B and Garlick in LF against left-handed starters. Still, I would like to see Kirilloff get ABs against left-handers to see if he can hit them and whether he is more than just a platoon player. Maybe the way to do that is to not use the second catcher as a DH against left-handed pitching and use Kirilloff or Larnach in that spot instead. 

[rwilfong86]

1 hour ago, Squirrel said:

Wow ... that surprises me, given all his ankle issues from a couple years ago. that's actually pretty amazing ... hope this doesn't start a trend, though

I was surprised as well, it's rare that any player with his amount of games played hasn't been on the IL. 

[stringer bell]

Kepler, Arraez, Larnach and Kirilloff would presumably get days off against left handed starters. Gio has been slumping lately and should have some days off against right handers. It would be good if Gordon was better against lefties. BTW, the guys with the worst platoon splits against left handed pitching are Sanchez, Arraez and Polanco.

[CRF]

Kind of looking forward to seeing if Kirilloff can carry over what he's been doing with StP. He's been crushing it there. That would be great!

[ashbury]

45 minutes ago, rwilfong86 said:

I was surprised as well, it's rare that any player with his amount of games played hasn't been on the IL. 

One of the best ways of having a lot of games played is not going on the IL.

[rwilfong86]

24 minutes ago, ashbury said:

One of the best ways of having a lot of games played is not going on the IL.

You're not wrong ?