Rehabbing Players

[stringer bell]

Several Twins players are rehabbing with the hope of joining the club yet this season and perhaps making the postseason roster. Piecing together the information received, each of Paddack, Stewart and Alcalá hope to join the bullpen, while Nick Gordon is starting a rehab assignment on Thursday.

In addition, on the Twins' broadcast, it was stated that the Twins still think Buxton can return and perhaps play in center field. How many will make it back and be able to help the team?

I am assuming that Michael A. Taylor will be back within a week. 

[Linus]

If I had to bet my pension it would be this trifecta of sorts. I’ll leave Taylor out of this because I think he is a given. I think Stewart will return for sure and Gordon will be available if there are injuries or they deem him to be a better left field option than Wallner. I don’t think Paddock or Alcala will help the club. It takes a while post TJ to get command and control back and don’t think Paddock will get through that rust this fall. Alcala is a typical example of prospect love. The guy has been good for two months in his career and can’t get lefties out but we are counting on him for the playoffs. He’s not going to help because we should have better options. 

[FlyingFinn]

13 hours ago, stringer bell said:

How many will make it back and be able to help the team?

Alcala couldn't complete an inning last night. I am counting him out. Paddack is getting through 4 innings. Scary to put him on a playoff roster but for the end of our pen it may not be any scarier than what we already have on some night.

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

Paddack and Stewart.  I think you can work Paddack in for a couple more weeks.  His stuff actually looks pretty decent this early into it.  Stewart, Paddack, and Maeda added to the Pen makes the depth of the bullpen much better.  In terms of leverage

Duran, Thielbar, Jax, Stewart, Varland, Pagan, Maeda, Winder, Paddack, Floro.  

Winder Paddack and Varland can give you multiple innings and help in extended inning situation.  If they can't figure out Floro replace with someone else.  

[Jocko87]

16 minutes ago, FlyingFinn said:

Alcala couldn't complete an inning last night. I am counting him out. Paddack is getting through 4 innings. Scary to put him on a playoff roster but for the end of our pen it may not be any scarier than what we already have on some night.

I watched Paddack in person last night but left before Alcala pitched.  Paddack looks every bit of the part but his velo dipped a bit and he was obviously getting tired.  Sat comfy 95 for two innings hitting 97 once and 96 a couple of times.  He was a man among boys for two innings, then we started to see some contact and foul balls in the 3rd and in the 4th he got hit hard.  The home run allowed was a monster shot on a 93mph fastball.

It looks to me like standard stretching out and he still has a few weeks to be truly ready but I'm wondering if his routine changes to get to the pen.  I was thinking about a spring training timeline and that all still works out but some of it has to happen in the bigs.  Two innings the stuff was electric, two innings average.

Just saw on Do-Hyoung Park Twitter that it one more relief session with Wichita for Paddack and one with St Paul.

Speaking of updates, lots of stuff on Do's twitter fresh on Buxton and others.  Too much to link here but the interesting news is on Buxton.  Interesting that they are just now doing a shot.  It makes me think they have been working a conservative approach to time up for the playoffs with the more drastic stuff.  I'm looking forward to our resident orthopedist to weigh in on this one.  I remember being concerned about Polo coming back without a procedure but if the body can heal itself that's always preferable.

https://x.com/dohyoungpark/status/1701993674802881026?s=20

https://x.com/dohyoungpark/status/1701993674802881026?s=20

[DJL44]

I think Taylor is probably a better player than injured Buxton but I don't think Luplow is.

Lots of decisions to make in the next two weeks.

[Jocko87]

Does anyone remember who our resident orthopedist was? I’m curious for a more educated opinion of todays news drops. 

[Rod Carews Birthday]

5 hours ago, Jocko87 said:

I

The last quote sounds like they are on the right track.  If he can't play in the field, there is really no point in making him the DH.  It just clogs up the lineup.  Besides that, I think in his current physical state, Buxton is probably the backup to MAT in CF.  Take the winter off.  Heal. 

[stringer bell]

Of the three pitchers rehabbing. it seems Stewart is certain to be added if he holds up in his rehab outings. It would appear that Paddack has to show he would be effective in a relief role. Alcalá hasn’t done enough pitching in the last two years and hasn’t been effective BBB anyway.  

[Squirrel]

1 hour ago, Jocko87 said:

Does anyone remember who our resident orthopedist was? I’m curious for a more educated opinion of todays news drops. 

@Heezy1323

[stringer bell]

1 hour ago, Rod Carews Birthday said:

The last quote sounds like they are on the right track.  If he can't play in the field, there is really no point in making him the DH.  It just clogs up the lineup.  Besides that, I think in his current physical state, Buxton is probably the backup to MAT in CF.  Take the winter off.  Heal. 

The brave talk on Buxton returning seems overly optimistic. He played seven innings in Triple  A and couldn’t continue. Can he now, after over a year, be able to play in the field? Further, his hitting has always been streaky. I have a hard time expecting him to be ready to help the team in less than three weeks. 

[Rosterman]

Okay, the Twins currently have Gallo, Taylor and Buxton on the short-term IL. One can expect Taylor and Gallo returning to the Twins.

Of further note is that Stewart, Paddack, Alcala and Gordon are all on rehab assignments and MIGHT just need to be added back on the 40-man roster if they are activated, a couple having dates that they will have to be activated and decisions made.

Which means besides finding space for them on the 28-man roster, the Twins also have to find space for them on the 40-man roster, with 3-4 names going away.

Most likely Stevenson, Floro and Ludlow could be cut and gone. Not sure who else the Twins might care to paret with - Celestino, Henriquez, Woods Richardson, headrick. I'm not really seeing that.

But I do see Headrick, possibly Winder and or Varland, getting sent to the soon non-existant minor leagues. But still kept in the wings (or maybe still travelling with the team) with possibly playoff shuffle.

The questions are Gordon. Would you swap out Wallner for Gordon? Or Castro? Do you WANT to see anything from Gordon, or has he been replaced by Farmer and Castro. Are minor league names like Prato, Heilman and Martin making him expendable?

The Twins could possibly 60-day IL Buxton if they don't see him returning. Or maybe finally cut loose Gallo. Wallner seems ahead of Larnach now in the outfield pecking order that won't have a cenetrfielder come season's end, really. Unless we do consider that the Twins will keep the young Celestino, whom Rocco in all of his switching out players in every game couldn't even give the poor guy an inning of 2023 play.

Always a pain when long-term IL guys come back and force, basically, a double roster move. Right now, I would like to trust a return of Paddack, Stewart and maybe Alcala ove Headrick and Floro. Would I like to see Moran also be added back into the mix? A lefty arm in the playoffs is a precious thing, especially if you don't need a five-man rotation and don't see Keuchel as a bullpen option. 

And who would argue for Ober over Madea as the #4 playoff starter!

[FlyingFinn]

20 minutes ago, Rosterman said:

Would I like to see Moran also be added back into the mix? A lefty arm in the playoffs is a precious thing

He's been on the IL for awhile with a forearm strain (Scherzer has that and appears done for the year). I don't think we'll see him back this year. 

 

20 minutes ago, Rosterman said:

Of further note is that Stewart, Paddack, Alcala and Gordon are all on rehab assignments and MIGHT just need to be added back on the 40-man roster

Stewart, yes. Henriquez shouldn't make it on the 40 man roster through the winter and could be dropped now.

Alcala, no. We won't see him with the Twins this year.

Gordon, no. There's isn't room on the roster. In the playoffs, you need a speed guy (and late defense) on the bench. If we are starting Castro in the first round, I can see Stephenson being that guy. It took one pitch against a lh today for him to steal second base in the 9th.

Paddack is the interesting one to get back on the 40 man if Stewart is also coming back. @Jocko87 said he was throwing well for two innings before getting tired. Maybe call Moran up and put him on the IL-60 just before you call up Stewart? I wouldn't mind getting rid of Floro but the Twins seem to like him more than many of us on TD.

[stringer bell]

38 minutes ago, Rosterman said:

Okay, the Twins currently have Gallo, Taylor and Buxton on the short-term IL. One can expect Taylor and Gallo returning to the Twins.

Of further note is that Stewart, Paddack, Alcala and Gordon are all on rehab assignments and MIGHT just need to be added back on the 40-man roster if they are activated, a couple having dates that they will have to be activated and decisions made.

Which means besides finding space for them on the 28-man roster, the Twins also have to find space for them on the 40-man roster, with 3-4 names going away.

Most likely Stevenson, Floro and Ludlow could be cut and gone. Not sure who else the Twins might care to paret with - Celestino, Henriquez, Woods Richardson, headrick. I'm not really seeing that.

But I do see Headrick, possibly Winder and or Varland, getting sent to the soon non-existant minor leagues. But still kept in the wings (or maybe still travelling with the team) with possibly playoff shuffle.

The questions are Gordon. Would you swap out Wallner for Gordon? Or Castro? Do you WANT to see anything from Gordon, or has he been replaced by Farmer and Castro. Are minor league names like Prato, Heilman and Martin making him expendable?

The Twins could possibly 60-day IL Buxton if they don't see him returning. Or maybe finally cut loose Gallo. Wallner seems ahead of Larnach now in the outfield pecking order that won't have a cenetrfielder come season's end, really. Unless we do consider that the Twins will keep the young Celestino, whom Rocco in all of his switching out players in every game couldn't even give the poor guy an inning of 2023 play.

Always a pain when long-term IL guys come back and force, basically, a double roster move. Right now, I would like to trust a return of Paddack, Stewart and maybe Alcala ove Headrick and Floro. Would I like to see Moran also be added back into the mix? A lefty arm in the playoffs is a precious thing, especially if you don't need a five-man rotation and don't see Keuchel as a bullpen option. 

And who would argue for Ober over Madea as the #4 playoff starter!

Two guys who could be moved to create space are  Gallo and Keuchel. A third could be moving Buxton to the 60-day IL. I would agree that Paddack and Stewart for sure are preferable options to Headrick/Winder /Floro and that Ober would be preferable to Keuchel. With no more than three starters needed for the first round, all of the guys who have been used in low leverage could be sent to St. Paul. The next stage would require no more than four starters and probably seven relievers.  

[stringer bell]

The question I have deals with procedure on postseason rosters. 1) Can a player be on rehab when there are no minor league affiliates playing? 2) When a player’s rehab time expires after the conclusion of the regular season, must he be placed on the active (postseason) roster or can they be on the 40-man without being on the postseason roster? 
 

Nick Gordon will be eligible to be on rehab until about October 4th. St. Paul and all the affiliates most likely will be done playing long before that. 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

19 hours ago, Jocko87 said:

I watched Paddack in person last night but left before Alcala pitched.  Paddack looks every bit of the part but his velo dipped a bit and he was obviously getting tired.  Sat comfy 95 for two innings hitting 97 once and 96 a couple of times.  He was a man among boys for two innings, then we started to see some contact and foul balls in the 3rd and in the 4th he got hit hard.  The home run allowed was a monster shot on a 93mph fastball.

It looks to me like standard stretching out and he still has a few weeks to be truly ready but I'm wondering if his routine changes to get to the pen.  I was thinking about a spring training timeline and that all still works out but some of it has to happen in the bigs.  Two innings the stuff was electric, two innings average.

Just saw on Do-Hyoung Park Twitter that it one more relief session with Wichita for Paddack and one with St Paul.

Speaking of updates, lots of stuff on Do's twitter fresh on Buxton and others.  Too much to link here but the interesting news is on Buxton.  Interesting that they are just now doing a shot.  It makes me think they have been working a conservative approach to time up for the playoffs with the more drastic stuff.  I'm looking forward to our resident orthopedist to weigh in on this one.  I remember being concerned about Polo coming back without a procedure but if the body can heal itself that's always preferable.

https://x.com/dohyoungpark/status/1701993674802881026?s=20

https://x.com/dohyoungpark/status/1701993674802881026?s=20

“We're going to make it happen," - Paparesta in regards to Buxton playing CF for the Twins this season 

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/38394558/twins-planning-byron-buxton-playing-again-season

i have mixed feelings about this

[Rosterman]

4 hours ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

“We're going to make it happen," - Paparesta in regards to Buxton playing CF for the Twins this season 

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/38394558/twins-planning-byron-buxton-playing-again-season

i have mixed feelings about this

At this point, why? If Taylor comes back, why tie up DH with Buxton. WHat would be his contribution to the post-season, in reality?

[Richie the Rally Goat]

33 minutes ago, Rosterman said:

At this point, why? If Taylor comes back, why tie up DH with Buxton. WHat would be his contribution to the post-season, in reality?

What are the realistic odds he becomes the 130wRC+ hitter this post season? Season to date he has not been one of the 13 best hitters on the team.

[Battle ur tail off]

1 hour ago, Rosterman said:

At this point, why? If Taylor comes back, why tie up DH with Buxton. WHat would be his contribution to the post-season, in reality?

I think at this point the Twins would want to see him starting in CF if he were to be brought back.

It's not likely to happen. My guess is that MAT comes back, starts every inning of the playoffs in CF and Buck's job will be to chew sunflower seeds and cheer his guys on. 

However, if he were available to start in CF, I think you have to chance it. Put him in there, if he comes out hot, he could be a huge asset. If after 4-5 at bats he looks lost, just shut him down for the year.

[stringer bell]

54 minutes ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

What are the realistic odds he becomes the 130wRC+ hitter this post season? Season to date he has not been one of the 13 best hitters on the team.

Count me as skeptical, as well. The chance that he go directly from the Injured List to being a productive postseason hitter are pretty remote. Buxton is a remarkable athlete, but his history is that he takes a while to find his groove as a hitter. There is precious little time for that.

[IaBeanCounter]

8 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

Count me as skeptical, as well. The chance that he go directly from the Injured List to being a productive postseason hitter are pretty remote. Buxton is a remarkable athlete, but his history is that he takes a while to find his groove as a hitter. There is precious little time for that.

I agree with being skeptical.  However, in the first round of the playoffs I believe you will only need 11 pitchers (3 starters) which means you can have 15 position players.  In the situation yesterday who would you rather pinch hit, Valdez or Buxton?  I would go with a rusty Buxton.  He will probably K, but he may hit a HR or an infield hit.   I believe he will be on the playoff roster if he can play at all for at least the first round.

[Battle ur tail off]

40 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

Count me as skeptical, as well. The chance that he go directly from the Injured List to being a productive postseason hitter are pretty remote. Buxton is a remarkable athlete, but his history is that he takes a while to find his groove as a hitter. There is precious little time for that.

"I don't believe what I just saw". Sometimes studs do stud things in big moments. 

[stringer bell]

24 minutes ago, IaBeanCounter said:

I agree with being skeptical.  However, in the first round of the playoffs I believe you will only need 11 pitchers (3 starters) which means you can have 15 position players.  In the situation yesterday who would you rather pinch hit, Valdez or Buxton?  I would go with a rusty Buxton.  He will probably K, but he may hit a HR or an infield hit.   I believe he will be on the playoff roster if he can play at all for at least the first round.

Another component of yesterday's scenario that wouldn't occur in a postseason game was the unavailability of Correa. If Correa is playing, then Farmer would be available to pinch hit, a much more positive scenario.

[IaBeanCounter]

26 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

Another component of yesterday's scenario that wouldn't occur in a postseason game was the unavailability of Correa. If Correa is playing, then Farmer would be available to pinch hit, a much more positive scenario.

Agreed!  However, say a game went into extra innings and you wanted a RH bat.  Your choices are Valdez or Buxton.  I would choose Buxton.  Its probably the sentimental value of Buxton being a long time Twin, but I also think Buxton could extend an inning just by hitting a slow dribbler, something I don't believe Valdez could do.  JMHO

[Richie the Rally Goat]

32 minutes ago, IaBeanCounter said:

Agreed!  However, say a game went into extra innings and you wanted a RH bat.  Your choices are Valdez or Buxton.  I would choose Buxton.  It’s probably the sentimental value of Buxton being a long time Twin, but I also think Buxton could extend an inning just by hitting a slow dribbler, something I don't believe Valdez could do.  JMHO

Who’s Valdez? Do you mean Vazquez?

[Riverbrian]

15 minutes ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

Who’s Valdez? Do you mean Vazquez?

Too Much Coffee? 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

3 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

Too Much Coffee? 

was he on the 40 man Aug 31?

[jorgenswest]

18 hours ago, stringer bell said:

The question I have deals with procedure on postseason rosters. 1) Can a player be on rehab when there are no minor league affiliates playing? 2) When a player’s rehab time expires after the conclusion of the regular season, must he be placed on the active (postseason) roster or can they be on the 40-man without being on the postseason roster? 
 

Nick Gordon will be eligible to be on rehab until about October 4th. St. Paul and all the affiliates most likely will be done playing long before that. 

Both answers are based on recollection…

A few years back when the AAA ended on labor day players rehabbed at the instructional site in simulated games. I would think that it would be the same now.

I don’t think options are a consideration when choosing a playoff roster. It seems like teams have left off pitchers in a short series that won’t start and can’t help the bullpen. I don’t believe they have to option them and that those non rostered players can remain on the 40 while not on the 26.

[IaBeanCounter]

43 minutes ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

Who’s Valdez? Do you mean Vazquez?

Yes, I'm been typing Valdez for Vazquez for a couple days.  My only defense is that Vazquez looks as slow as the Exxon Valdez, /s

[stringer bell]

5 minutes ago, jorgenswest said:

Both answers are based on recollection…

A few years back when the AAA ended on labor day players rehabbed at the instructional site in simulated games. I would think that it would be the same now.

I don’t think options are a consideration when choosing a playoff roster. It seems like teams have left off pitchers in a short series that won’t start and can’t help the bullpen. I don’t believe they have to option them and that those non rostered players can remain on the 40 while not on the 26.

That’s what I thought. However, I’m pretty certain that the Twins will have to make room on their 40-man roster for Paddack and Nick Gordon when their rehab assignments expire. In addition, the Twin’s website shows Alcalá as being in the 60-day list, but I believe that is an error.