ROSTER MOVES: Twins Trade for Righty Michael Tonkin, Lose Max Kepler to Injury

[Ted Schwerzler]

The Minnesota Twins (like much of Major League Baseball) have been hit hard by the injury bug to start the season. This time, it’s Max Kepler being placed on the injured list and old friend Michael Tonkin coming in to take his place on the active roster.

Image courtesy of © John Jones-USA TODAY Sports

Max Kepler has been a relative mainstay in Rocco Baldelli’s lineup through the first week of the season. That’s despite having fouled a ball off of his knee on Opening Day. It was clear that the outfielder was in some pain, and that was further confirmed by him needing a few days to recover. Although he wasn’t initially placed on the injured list, the malady could be the cause of his dreadful start.

Similar to how he got out of the gate last season, Kepler is finding little success for a Twins lineup that needs him to be better. He has gone just 1-for-20, with a 6/1 K/BB. His exit velocities have been down, and his launch angles haven’t given him a chance to succeed, either.

After it was decided that José Miranda would take the roster spot of injured reliever Daniel Duarte last night, Minnesota’s bullpen was short an arm for the first time in what feels like forever. In grabbing Michael Tonkin, a former prospect in the Terry Ryan-era Twins system, they fill that gap without needing to shuffle the 40-man roster.

When Duarte went down there were no obvious additions to take his place in the bullpen. Matt Canterino is hurt, and both Simeon Woods Richardson and Brent Headrick started games within the past few days. It was unthinkable that the Twins would play short on arms for long, though, and with the addition of Tonkin, they didn’t have to wait 24 hours.

Tonkin was DFA’d by the New York Mets a few days ago, and Minnesota grabbed him for cash considerations. The sample size is much too small to glean anything this year, but in 80 innings for the Atlanta Braves a season ago, Tonkin proved to be a quality low-leverage reliever, posting a 4.28 ERA and 4.43 FIP.

The Twins aren’t close to the same organization they were when Tonkin was last around in 2017, and he’s something of a different pitcher now, too. With Atlanta last season, Tonkin threw a sinker and slider exclusively. That has been his repertoire for the bulk of his career, but he did splash in a fastball in 2024. He’s not averaging the 95-mph heat he had with the Twins as a rookie, but 93-94 mph is something that can work for just a guy out of the pen.

How long Tonkin remains around is uncertain. Both Caleb Thielbar and Josh Staumont are starting rehab assignments with Triple-A St. Paul, and Minnesota goes on the road following Wednesday’s tilt with the Dodgers. The pair of veterans may not be on the same plane as their teammates, but expecting them to re-join the squad before the series with Baltimore on Monday may be a good bet. In order to create a spot on the 40-man roster for Tonkin, Minnesota moved Zack Weiss to the 60-day IL.

View full article

[TwinsDr2021]

My gosh, can anybody stay healthy?

[Parfigliano]

Not 2 weeks into the season and already the team is a patchwork quilt.

[hitterscount]

Season changing move… and as far as Kepler, we should be able to replace his production. 

[jkcarew]

I would not have bet 20 cents that Tonkin was still in the league. Who knew?

I’ve never heard of this Cash Considerations guy, but no doubt he’ll be great with the Mets.

[Dortmunder]

Worrying about roster space when Thielbar and Staumont come back is pointless--at the rate this season has established so far the Twins could have several more injuries by then.

[jimbo92107]

Time to open a hospital across the street from Target Field. 'TJ's R Us.' After the season, everybody cues up for an elbow operation, so they can all start the next season with a fresh tendon. We do labrums, too, and rotator cuffs. MCL's, ACL's, knee replacements, hip replacements, cartilage tears, etc, all done with Kevlar stitches, titanium and super glue. 

Skol!

[nicksaviking]

4 minutes ago, Dortmunder said:

Worrying about roster space when Thielbar and Staumont come back is pointless--at the rate this season has established so far the Twins could have several more injuries by then.

Yeah, the St. Paul bullpen is made up of a bunch of 30-year-olds this team obviously liked more this off season than they did Tonkin.

Not sure I like the idea of putting a guy on the mound who would be their fifth, sixth or seventh choice just to just to avoid the slim risk of losing one of the first four emergency choices. I think at this point I'd use one of the guys I like the best instead of the guy I'm most comfortable losing.

[Cris E]

Staying healthy these days seems like some sort of magic trick. 

Did anyone see the "On This Day" earlier this week describing Jack Morris' April 7 no hitter in 1984?  Not sure what the pitch count was, but 8K and 6 BB might not fit modern usage patterns for opening day starts. Can you even imagine the reaction to such a start these days?

[Riverbrian]

To compare the Twins position players with the forward lines on a NHL hockey roster. 

Hockey has a designation of "Top 6 forward". Those are the guys who get the most ice time on line 1 or 2 and they work the power plays. 

The Twins top 6 equivalent is a top 5. Those are the players who will play most days against RH and LH. 

The Bottom 6 equivalent would be the guys paired for platoon duty.  

The Twins top 6 (5) forwards are: Correa, Buxton, Santana, Castro and used to be Kepler. 

The Bottom 6 forwards running the 3rd and 4th lines for the Twins are: Kirilloff, Julien, Wallner, Margot, Farmer, Martin or Miranda. 

One of those bottom 6 dudes is going to have to slide into a top 6 5 everyday role. Who will it be?

I'm guessing it will be Margot or Farmer but both Martin and Miranda are in the lineup tonight so... I don't know. 

I'm pretty sure it won't be Kirilloff, Julien or Wallner. They are not eligible due to left handedness. 

Polanco would be nice to have around right about now for a Top 6 role. Both Santana and Castro are questionable for top 6 spots as is. 

Meanwhile... more injuries to come. Bank on it.  

Let's... Play... Hockey!!! 

[Fire Dan Gladden]

16 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

Yeah, the St. Paul bullpen is made up of a bunch of 30-year-olds this team obviously liked more this off season than they did Tonkin.

Not sure I like the idea of putting a guy on the mound who would be their fifth, sixth or seventh choice just to just to avoid the slim risk of losing one of the first four emergency choices. I think at this point I'd use one of the guys I like the best instead of the guy I'm most comfortable losing.

Tonkin's time on the roster will be counted in days.  Will probably only pitch in mop up duty.  Twins are not willing to lose a guy, even an emergency choice, for that short period of time

[Patzky]

28 minutes ago, jkcarew said:

I would not have bet 20 cents that Tonkin was still in the league. Who knew?

I’ve never heard of this Cash Considerations guy, but no doubt he’ll be great with the Mets.

Cash Considerations is Mr. Met. Didn't help them last year either! 😂😂😂

[D.C Twins]

Finally... the missing piece for our WS run! 😉

[D.C Twins]

18 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

To compare the Twins position players with the forward lines on a NHL hockey roster. 

Hockey has a designation of "Top 6 forward". Those are the guys who get the most ice time on line 1 or 2 and they work the power plays. 

The Twins top 6 equivalent is a top 5. Those are the players who will play most days against RH and LH. 

The Bottom 6 equivalent would be the guys paired for platoon duty.  

The Twins top 6 (5) forwards are: Correa, Buxton, Santana, Castro and used to be Kepler. 

The Bottom 6 forwards running the 3rd and 4th lines for the Twins are: Kirilloff, Julien, Wallner, Margot, Farmer, Martin or Miranda. 

One of those bottom 6 dudes is going to have to slide into a top 6 5 everyday role. Who will it be?

I'm guessing it will be Margot or Farmer but both Martin and Miranda are in the lineup tonight so... I don't know. 

I'm pretty sure it won't Kirilloff, Julien or Wallner. They are not eligible due to left handedness. 

Polanco would be nice to have around right about now for a Top 6 role. Both Santana and Castro are questionable for top 6 spots as is. 

Meanwhile... more injuries to come. Bank on it.  

Let's... Play... Hockey!!! 

Even the average NHL team has less injuries that the Twins and it is a contact sport with regular fighting!

[Parfigliano]

40 minutes ago, jkcarew said:

I would not have bet 20 cents that Tonkin was still in the league. Who knew?

I’ve never heard of this Cash Considerations guy, but no doubt he’ll be great with the Mets.

Me but Im a Twins 1st then NYM fan

[Riverbrian]

6 minutes ago, D.C Twins said:

Even the average NHL team has less injuries that the Twins and it is a contact sport with regular fighting!

That's a great point.

It's the Ice.

What do you do when you get hurt... you put ice on it to decrease inflammation.  

Hockey players are indestructible because of all that ice. 

 

[Dave The Dastardly]

Tonkin came for the Twins elbow surgery plan.

[mikelink45]

Wow - we bragged about how many BP arms we picked up this off season.  Too many to fit on the MLB roster.  We were sure we had the number 1 BP in the league.  Where are we now?  

Where is Blewett, Bloushley, Blowman, Boyle, Brigham, Castillo, Harris - all over 30 and all on the Saints.  And then there is Henriquez who is young and was supposed to be a promising BP piece.   I guess the Twins are just flush with money so they bought someone instead. 

[Parfigliano]

26 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

Wow - we bragged about how many BP arms we picked up this off season.  Too many to fit on the MLB roster.  We were sure we had the number 1 BP in the league.  Where are we now?  

Where is Blewett, Bloushley, Blowman, Boyle, Brigham, Castillo, Harris - all over 30 and all on the Saints.  And then there is Henriquez who is young and was supposed to be a promising BP piece.   I guess the Twins are just flush with money so they bought someone instead. 

Excellent point.

[LA Vikes Fan]

Tonkin is the man because they can use him for a few days and then DFA him when Theilbar is ready next week. If they bring up one of the Saints B starting relievers or Henriquez, they then have to DFA someone for Theilbar next week who they might want to keep. Tonkin is here because he only cost cash and he can go bye-bye early next week without losing someone in whom they have an investment.  Teh other way to do it would be to put Lewis on the 60 day Il but I think they're still hoping he can come back by mid-May. 

[Whitey333]

Let's not blame the Twins poor start to injuries.  Yes the pitching staff has been hit hard with injuries.  Yet the pitching continues to be an otherwise bright spot.  Losing Lewis hurts.  Kepler also but not as much.  We need offensive help as well.  Any retread hitters want to give us a try?

[Schmoeman5]

2 hours ago, jkcarew said:

I would not have bet 20 cents that Tonkin was still in the league. Who knew?

I’ve never heard of this Cash Considerations guy, but no doubt he’ll be great with the Mets.

Isn't Tonkin the reason the US got involved in Vietnam. He must be really old

[CRF]

Tonkin...oh boy. There has to be better options out there. Who would've seen this mess coming, two weeks into the season? Wow!

[Hubie29]

Another earth shattering move. Maybe in a month or two the Twins can start scouting some town ball games and find some guys to fill out the roster. This makes me want to get out to the ballpark soon! 

[Patzky]

2 hours ago, D.C Twins said:

Finally... the missing piece for our WS run! 😉

Jordan Luplow came early! And he can throw!

[mikelink45]

56 minutes ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

Tonkin is the man because they can use him for a few days and then DFA him when Theilbar is ready next week. If they bring up one of the Saints B starting relievers or Henriquez, they then have to DFA someone for Theilbar next week who they might want to keep. Tonkin is here because he only cost cash and he can go bye-bye early next week without losing someone in whom they have an investment.  Teh other way to do it would be to put Lewis on the 60 day Il but I think they're still hoping he can come back by mid-May. 

Only cost cash - this is the team that does not have cash.  I heard that all off season.

[Hubie29]

1 hour ago, mikelink45 said:

Wow - we bragged about how many BP arms we picked up this off season.  Too many to fit on the MLB roster.  We were sure we had the number 1 BP in the league.  Where are we now?  

Where is Blewett, Bloushley, Blowman, Boyle, Brigham, Castillo, Harris - all over 30 and all on the Saints.  And then there is Henriquez who is young and was supposed to be a promising BP piece.   I guess the Twins are just flush with money so they bought someone instead. 

I posted all we did was sign reclamation projects and cast-offs other teams didn't want.  I was given many thumbs down for that. Where are you believers now? We never go for the big name, proven relief pitchers. We are good enough to take other teams rejects and teach them "the Twins way". We can resurrect their career and maybe keep them healthy.  How's that working out for us?  Garbage!

[ashbury]

38 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

Only cost cash - this is the team that does not have cash.  I heard that all off season.

Pretty sure the cash they give the Mets would not have purchased even one start from the front-line pitcher we wanted.

[sweetmusicviola16]

Lets not take a risk. That is the strategy taken this season by the Twins. It hasn't paid dividends early this season.

[Rosterman]

I'm Sorry To See "Cash Considerations" Traded. But we still have his twin broither somewhere in the system, I believe.