A Six Pack of High-Impact Relievers for the Twins to Consider

[Ted Schwerzler]

As the Major League Baseball season barrels towards the trade deadline, the Minnesota Twins are well positioned to add. The big league club is holding its own, and while they still trail the Cleveland Guardians, a few reinforcements could help to close the gap.

 

Expecting the Minnesota Twins to add lineup help seems pretty unlikely. Brooks Lee is getting an opportunity right now, and Matt Wallner has been knocking on the door of a promotion for a while. DaShawn Keirsey Jr. could be a consideration, and the hope would be that Edouard Julien ultimately turns things around and returns to the big leagues. Short of a catcher to replace Christian Vazquez, if it’s not going to be Jair Camargo, there aren’t many places for upgrades.

The opposite is true in both the starting rotation and bullpen. Both groups have some really soft spots at the bottom of their pecking order, and that's probably where Derek Falvey should focus the vast majority of his energy and resources. Looking specifically at the relief corps, Minnesota needs an upgrade. Caleb Thielbar isn’t cutting it. Cole Sands and Steven Okert remain shaky. Josh Staumont could hit regression hard.

Here are six names for the Twins to consider:

Kenley Jansen (Red Sox)
This is arguably the least likely arm to be considered for a handful of reasons. First, while they aren’t going to win the division, the Red Sox are squarely in the Wild Card race. Why they would deal their closer, who is performing well, remains unclear but they are apparently open to it. He also is making $16 million this year, and although Minnesota would need to pay just a prorated portion of that, it requires ownership spending money. However, Jansen was a swap I liked before the season, and if he could be added to the group of high-leverage arms that includes Griffin Jax and the current version of Jhoan Duran, sign me up.

Fernando Cruz (Reds)
If Cruz strikes you as something of a Jorge Lopez scare, I get it, but there are differences here. Yes, he is older at 34, and he has just over 100 big-league innings under his belt. However, he has a track record of success as a reliever, unlike Lopez, and his secondary numbers are even better. Cruz is a strikeout machine, and while he is under team control through 2028, there’s really no reason for the Reds to hang onto a reliever who won’t be around when they are competitive. Cruz is a strikeout machine, costs the major league minimum, and would be an excellent addition for Rocco Baldelli. Given the team control, though, he probably costs something like the Cade Povich and Yennier Cano return for Minnesota. Right now, that may mean moving C.J. Culpepper or Cory Lewis.

Kirby Yates (Rangers)
Expecting the reigning World Series champs to sell may be presumptuous, but if the Rangers are still 10 games under .500 at the deadline, they may pick the more conservative path. Max Scherzer would be fun from a starting perspective, and David Robertson works as a reliever, but both have gaudy price tags. Yates, however, is owed just $4.5 million this season, and is an impending free agent. With years of closing experience, he is currently putting up the best numbers he ever has as a big leaguer. A sub-1.00 ERA is backed by a dazzling FIP, and his strikeout rates remain strong. Yates may be the most coveted reliever on the trading block, and that means the price will be steep even if he is an aging veteran rental.

Andrew Nardi (Marlins)
Maybe this inclusion is surprising, but take a closer look. With Thielbar struggling a lefty could be prioritized to pair with Okert and Kody Funderburk. Nardi isn’t arbitration-eligible until 2026, and he’s only 25 years old, but the Marlins have zero direction. He owns a bloated 5.12 ERA this season, but has a 2.53 FIP. He’s giving up hits in front of a terrible Miami defense. Last season, across 57 1/3 innings, Nardi owned a 2.67 ERA. He records a bunch of strikeouts, has a chase rate of 37%, and has consistently been at a 13% whiff rate throughout his career. Sitting at 94 mph on his fastball, he isn’t a soft-tosser, and throwing a slider more than 40% of the time, he’s right up the Twins' alley.

Yimi Garcia (Blue Jays)
Currently on the injured list, the Twins would need to evaluate the Blue Jays reliever cautiously or watch the Target Field's faithful grab their pitchforks. Across 28 innings this year, Garcia has posted a 2.57 ERA and has the highest strikeout rate of his career. Jordan Romano has operated as Toronto’s closer, but Garcia has experience there as well. He’s in the final year of a $16 million deal and owed just a prorated portion of his $5 million salary. Set to throw off a mound again soon, seeing Garcia back in game action for a couple of weeks before the deadline would make him much more appealing.

Nick Mears (Rockies)
Taking on anything from the Rockies comes with a caution tag, but Mears may be the perfect buy-low candidate. The 27-year-old righty owns a 5.92 ERA but has a 2.79 FIP. He’s actually been terrible on the road, as opposed to pitching at Coors Field, but a better-equipped organization may be the key to unlocking his full potential. There isn’t a significant track record of success, and Mears can’t be the only pitcher Minnesota would acquire, but he would be a nice second addition to the group. Already boasting a 96.7 mph fastball, it would not be shocking to see Minnesota push him toward triple digits by the time he reaches free agency in 2028.

The Twins should stay far away from Mason Miller. He's been great, and it's good that the Oakland Athletics have something redeemable about them, but let someone else pay that freight.

---

What do you think, which names of this group are most intriguing to you and why?

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[Brandon]

Ted your on a roll like Miranda.  That’s like 6 good articles in a row.  Have you been taking writing lessons from Nick Nelson?  Keep it up. 👍 

I agree that if the Twins do make a trade it would be for a reliever.  JD Martinez is the only impact bat that wouldn’t cost much dollar wise that would be an upgrade to the lineup.  I’m sure there are others.  But not many.   
 

I’m it sure who the Twins would target in that group but if we got Jansen then Velazquez would have to be included in that trade and maybe Dobnak too.  I doubt the Reds sell Cruz they are close to the end of their rebuild.  Their rotation is shaping up if they stay healthy and take a step forward next season.  Yates is a good option.  
for Mason Miller I wonder if we could build a package around the OF we got from the Mariners, Funderburk or Sands and Raya or Culpepper and if need be a low a flyer.  I would do that trade.  

[LambchoP]

I'd take Cruz for sure. Good strikeout reliever for real cheap with years of control. Miller would be a great weapon to have, but not at the cost of gutting our farm system. I think we need a good lefty more than anything. I know Aroldis Chapman's having a down year, but he still could be good for us down the stretch. Definitely an improvement over Theilbar or Funderburk.

[Rod Carews Birthday]

We just need to find the team that will value our prospects as highly as we do.  Any of these guys would be worth having around, but it always depends on price.  They could all be too expensive in prospects that we value, or maybe we could find the sweet spot.  It's pretty hard to "win" a deadline deal, but I would like to not lose it badly. 

I would get really excited about just about any of these guys, but I think it is unlikely that we will be fishing in this part of the pond.

[weitz41]

Nardi would be my choice. I have had an eye on him for the last couple seasons. If I remember right, he was a top 10 Marlin prospect and borderline top 100 one as well. I know his ERA doesn't stand out this season, but 11.1/k per 9, 2.7 bb per and .5 HR per 9. There's a lot there to like and a longer track record of good to great numbers.

Cruz is interesting. Like an above poster. I think the Reds may be too close to completing to part with an arm with more than a year of control.

I'm kind Meh on the rest due to salary, prospect cost or they just don't seem like much of an upgrade over what is already here.

[FlyingFinn]

I think the additions will be Stewart and Topa. They will help in the stretch run. In the playoffs, Paddack will be available in the pen. Those 3 plus Duran, Jax, Alcala make the top 6. Okert has to be good against lh batters. I think they will go with 3 starting pitchers and SWR would work out of the pen as well. 

[Azviking101]

No more trading good prospects for relievers. Fans are done with this. Grab some buy low guys for no name prospects and be done. Maybe in the future they can do a better job with internal scouting so that guys like Hoffman, Cano, Megill, Columbe are in our bullpen and not another teams. 

[Beast]

They really need a couple of good bullpen pieces and a starter.  This pitching staff has no chance  in a playoff series the way it’s currently constructed.  That’s the case even if Pablo and Duran round back into form.

It still baffles me that they don’t try to sign some of these relievers that get 1 or 2 year deals every year.  The back end is in place, all they need is a couple guys to bridge the gap.  Stop waiting for Alcala, Winder, etc. to figure it out after 5 years.  Instead, we’re talking about giving up guys like Raya and Culpepper on a team desperate for competent rotation pieces to fill in after Ober.  Just pony up the $5-$10 million in free agency and at least have the chance of saving the prospect capital to develop or package for a starter.  This is my biggest gripe with the FO/ownership right now.

[Doctor Gast]

Most of these relievers (including Miller) are potent & intoxicating but we'll sober right up once we see a price tag. I really like our BP even with Duran not on top of his game, we still have Jax, Alcala & overdue Varland still in AAA. If use Stamant properly I don't see much of a regression. Duran can still return to his old self, Steward will be back before we know it, hopes that Canterino & Topo can still return & have an impact sometime before postseason. Now IMO LHRPs is a need. Thielbar is no longer high-leverage, Okert & Funderburg cannot be trusted beyond low -leverage. (MIA) Nardi will be in demand & expensive. Gonzales's value is over-inflated so I'd like to trade him before it falls too much, So Gonzales & Doncon or Culpepper could get the job done. 

 

[bean5302]

1. Jansen - The Red Sox are listening to offers, but Jansen is going to be very expensive for a team who'd be in the playoffs today if the season ended. He's been an elite closer for 15 years and is having a prime like Renaissance this year. Jansen also doesn't like the idea of going to a team like the Twins who employ situational deployments.

2. Cruz - He's not even arbitration eligible until 2026. With 5 years of team control left, what possible reason could a building team have to deal him? Even if the Reds did decide to cash out on a reliever who can be dominant, the cost would be brutal. He was signed out of Indy League ball which is why his age doesn't make sense.

3. Yates - Texas is about to get deGrom, and Mahle back into the rotation, Scherzer just returned and the Astros have appeared soft. 8.0-8.5 GB right now, I guess I could see them selling on a closer at the deadline if they're 10.0 GB at that point, but with 2 months and a suddenly elite rotation to make up ground against a winnable division, it's going to take a big package for Yates.

4. Nardi - Not happening without an overwhelming package. Age 25, not even arb eligible with 5 years of team control left. The Marlins are trying to build, and Nardi is the kind of player they're going to want to hang on to.

5. Garcia - Yep. This is the first pitcher who is absolutely going to be dealt. He's a rental on a team with no hope of the playoffs at this point. Garcia's been excellent, but as noted, the 15 day IL for elbow soreness is lingering. He's supposed to pitch for their AAA club today so it's a good sign, and his MRI showed no damage. He's cheap in terms of salary so the ask is going to be pretty hefty. Think back to the Matt Capps trade where the Twins gave up Wilson Ramos, a top 100 prospect. Though Capps came with an extra year of control, Garcia is going to cost a top 6-10 prospect, if not higher.

6. Mears - The Rockies are not typically sellers and they've got 3 more years of team control over Mears. Aside from that, Mears isn't a great pitcher. He's got a pretty rough track record. Lots of walks, decent K rate, generates absolutely no pop ups. While his FIP is 2.95, the xFIP is 3.82. I just don't think he's a reliever which would be an upgrade.

We've got Stewart (maybe?), and Varland in the minors. I still think they're likely our bullpen enhancements.

[Doctor Gast]

16 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

Most of these relievers (including Miller) are potent & intoxicating but we'll sober right up once we see a price tag. I really like our BP even with Duran not on top of his game, we still have Jax, Alcala & overdue Varland still in AAA. If use Stamant properly I don't see much of a regression. Duran can still return to his old self, Steward will be back before we know it, hopes that Canterino & Topo can still return & have an impact sometime before postseason. Now IMO LHRPs is a need. Thielbar is no longer high-leverage, Okert & Funderburg cannot be trusted beyond low -leverage. (MIA) Nardi will be in demand & expensive. Gonzales's value is over-inflated so I'd like to trade him before it falls too much, So Gonzales & Doncon or Culpepper could get the job done. 

 

MIA LHRPs Scott & Nardi are very expensive but MIA has another LHRP, failed SP experiment AJ Pukk. His #s are very inflated because he did poorly & lasted just a few innings in each game but returning to the BP his ERA has constantly improved where is he's 3.4 in the BP. (LHSP). Luzardo has been put on the IL due to a stressed lumbar. It takes 4-6 weeks to recover which is just before the deadline. Not enough time to showcase him & to make room for others on the roster they put him on the 60 day. Nobody will seek after him, his arm isn't hurt & his back isn't that bad, where Paparesta can whip him into shape not long after the deadline. Throw Pukk in there we'd have a pretty good package. I love the idea 

[IndianaTwin]

My first reaction is, "Gimme Yates or Yimi, if the latter shows himself healthy." 

• Jansen will be too expensive, both in dollars and prospects. 
• The Reds saw themselves as competitive before the season and aren't that far out of it. They don't give up someone like Cruz, with control through 2028, without asking a high price.
• When I'm In contention, if I'm going to give up something, I want someone with a track record, so not Nardi and Mears.

Yates and Yimi both have track records. They are in the last year of (manageable) contracts, which lessens the price. Without going too far into the weeds, I wonder if the Romo deal is comparable to what it would take for Yimi. Yates probably costs a bit more, 

 

All in all, it seems like the Twins have improved their bullpen most years by regular churning guys, giving guys a decent amount of rope to prove or disprove, moving on to the next one when someone has disproved. In building an octet, it seems like we've got...

• In: Duran, Jax.
• Assumed in when healthy: Stewart.
• Close to cementing their in-ness: Alcala, Staumont, and I'll include Okert.

Assuming health for Stewart and consistency for the next three, we're at six. 

• Undecided, pitching okay, but not yet in: Sands.
• Still on their long leash, but trending downward: Funderburk, Thielbar.
• Next guys to get a shot, on the 40-man (including 60-day IL): Winder, Henriquez, Boushley, Topa, Weiss.
• Next guys to get a shot (or second shot), after the 40-man guys have been sorted out: Wittgren, Brigham, Castillo, Jensen, Jackson, Bowman.

I may have missed someone, but those are the general categories. I didn't include any of the guys being used as starters.

As I walk through this exercise, I start to think that there are enough options already in the mix. Assuming Stewart's back by soon after the All-Star Break and pitches well, unless there are injuries within the "in" group, I'm not sure how much is needed. Stewart makes six. With today, Sands will have moved his ERA+ to just above 100. If he would pitch himself up the latter to the in list, you're down to needing to only fill one spot from the 13 guys in the last four bullets, many who have shown extended stints of success at some point.

With all that, I'm not sure that I give up much of any assets to get Yates or Yimi. I don't know that the marginal gain from one of them is worth it. 

[DocBauer]

So if you read the tea leaves a little, Topa and Stewart are involved in a mix of bullpens and simulated games. Stewart should begin a rehab assignment next week if his next effort looks good and no setbacks. Topa isn't far behind. Now, Topa hasn't pitched at all this season, while Stewart has. So my money is on Stewart to be the larger addition to the club, but it's possible both will make an impact. But I'd say we're talking late July or first of August before they are ready. And that's find. We need help, we need to keep winning, but August and beyond are most important right now.

So the pen, from the RH side, WITH Varland joining it sometime August, and no later than September 1st, IMO.

Duran, Jax, Stewart, Alcala, Varland, and possibly Topa. While Sands has been a little hot and cold, he fills a role as a 2 inning plus guy. I'm leaving Staumont out of the arguement for the moment as the K's aren't high, but the BB are, and I think he's probably going to end up behind everyone else here on the list.

I think Okert is just fine as the 2nd LH in the pen. He's solid and generally gets the job done. Funderburk has the better pure stuff, but he's still gaining experience and working on his command. I mean, he's lights out at times, but scares the hell out of you other times, even if he does get the side out. 

Take what's listed from the RH side, find a solid, dependable LH arm that doesn't break the bank, and then let Okert and Funderburk fight it out for the 2nd LH job to finish the season. Of course, Funderburk having options means he's probably the initial loser. 

Were I the Reds and had Cruz for a couple more years on the cheap, I'd only move him if I really liked the rest of my pen arms and didn't want to trust a 34yo when I'm ready to win again...soon. So he MIGHT be available.

I was really interested in Yates a year or so ago when he was trying to bounce back. Wish we had grabbed him. If the Rangers don't get back in the race over the next couple of weeks, I could see them shipping him off for something. But how big is his price tag?

I just feel a LH SOMEONE they can feel they can count on is what they really need right now. Sorry, I just don't see Thielbar suddenly turning the clock back. I don't know if that's Nardi or not. But I could be interested. He posted really solid numbers across the board in 2023, as pointed out in the OP. His BB per 9 this season sits at 2.7. Not great, but not bad. And he's averaging 11.1 K per 9. His quad slash line of .252/ .307/ .402/ .709 aren't super, but are about average overall. So again, he might be a good acquisition. The Marlins are a mess, seemingly searching for an identity, and might be interested in a young bat, or two, that isn't/aren't at the top of the Twins prospect list. 

And maybe Nardi isn't the answer. But he or someone similar...maybe also having a rough year but good stuff the Twins can work with...is what I believe they should be targeting. Providing Stewart, and maybe Topa, really are on the road to recovery.

[JD-TWINS]

9 hours ago, FlyingFinn said:

I think the additions will be Stewart and Topa. They will help in the stretch run. In the playoffs, Paddack will be available in the pen. Those 3 plus Duran, Jax, Alcala make the top 6. Okert has to be good against lh batters. I think they will go with 3 starting pitchers and SWR would work out of the pen as well. 

Stewart - Varland - Paddack …….possibly Topa.

SWR is 4th starter or emergency guy if somebody can’t go for an unforeseen circumstance.

First 3 guys above, along with Okert - Staumont - Alcala - Jax - Duran can be as good as anybody’s Pen.

Reds won’t trade an effective arm that they can control for 3-4 years. They will be good once their everyday guys are healthy.

They might trade Montas but he doesn’t bring much, if anything, more to the table than Paddack. He’s also a rental. He might be an interesting relief option - I live in Cincinnati and he can look really good for 3 innings at a time!

Cannot see why anyone thinks the Red Sox would trade Jansen? They just moved past the Royals for last Wild Card ……they are having great success with their Rotation - I think they are buyers for sure.

Seems Houston takes over the West by August. Seattle - Boston - K.C. for last Wildcard spot IMO.

Yates might be worth considering from Texas? Really though - I think the Twins, relative to deadline options, are all set.

[Jocko87]

I think the target would have to be a high voltage lefty.  The law firm of Thielbar, Okert and Funderburk does not appear to be producing a single high leverage option or even hitting an inside straight to get there.

As left handed as Cleveland, Baltimore and the  Astros are, one lock down lefty is needed.

There are plenty of in house options for a stud right hander.

[Doctor Wu]

Good article, and I like the fact that you are throwing out some interesting under-the-radar names to consider. Nardi strikes me as the one to aim for, but as bean5302 said, the asking price from Miami may be too high for our liking. If some of our injured arms like Stewart and Topa can start contributing later this month we may not need another arm in the bullpen, but my hunch is that we will need at least one more arm from outside the system as we head into the stretch. 

[Otaknam]

Sarcastically, the FO has a track record of trading for injury prone pitchers. So Garcia would be their guy. With the lack of front of the rotation starting pitchers in the Twin minor leagues, I wouldn’t trade Lewis or Culpepper for a short term rental. The Twins still don’t have a legit number one starter, like a Verlander type. And they aren’t going to pay a top  free agent starter $30+million a year over five years. So they have to rely on starter depth. 

[TopGunn#22]

Good article !!  These are some interesting options.  A LOT of this depends on the return of Stewart and Topa and the eventual addition of Varland to the BP.  As always, this comes down to cost of acquisition. Let's start winnowing them down.

Jansen-Don't see the Red Sox trading him.  They are competing for a Wild Card.

Cruz-Don't really see the Reds trading him either especially with the multiple years of control and the fact that he strikes guys out by the ton.

Yates-A proven closer and high leverage guy but probably far too expensive (prospect-wise) and a FA at seasons end.

Yimi Garcia-Health and impending FA make him unlikely.

Nick Mears-Interesting arm that we could probably improve upon.  27 years old currently on a one-year deal for $750,000.  A decent possibility.  But with Stewart, Topa and possibly Varland, what role does a RH arm like Mears fill when Cole Sands has be decent??

Andrew Nardi-Left-Handed...CHECK!!  His stats don't look good but his underlying stats look very good.  He's not a junk-baller with a 96+ fastball and a hard biting slider.  I see Nardi as a definite target.  A package for him and Jesus Luzardo would check 2 boxes.  It would probably be steep but could prove to be well worth it for 2024 and beyond.  I lack confidence in Okert.  I see the end for Thielbar, and for as much of a booster as I've been for Funderburk he's struggling this year.  He needs to polish up some rough edges for sure. 

I know Vasquez is a negative asset, but he would be considered a Silver Slugger at catcher on the Marlins.  Their catchers are the worst in baseball and they don't hit.  The Marlins have a young pitching staff that Vasquez could be very beneficial to.  They were reportedly interested in him this last off season.  A deal for Luzardo and Nardi would take some prospect power, maybe a Gonzalez or Julien.  But if Vasquez were thrown in and we paid the remainder of his salary for this season along with Julien/Gonzalez and someone like Winder/Zebby Matthews, maybe that would be good enough to get Luzardo and Nardi.  I'm all for giving Jeffers more AB's and a chance to Camargo.    

[USAFChief]

It seems everyone has been writing Stewart and Topa into the Twins pen since winter.

And still are.

I need to see a month of production from either before I count on either. 

I'd be very surprised if Topa provides anything to  the Twins this year. Not only is there the tendon issue, but he has exactly 1 decent MLB season under his belt, at age 33.

And Stewart has his own extensive history of injury, not to mention he's 32 and last year was wayyyyy out of line with his history.

The Twins need bullpen help. Stat.

[Riverbrian]

9 hours ago, Jocko87 said:

I think the target would have to be a high voltage lefty.  The law firm of Thielbar, Okert and Funderburk does not appear to be producing a single high leverage option or even hitting an inside straight to get there.

As left handed as Cleveland, Baltimore and the  Astros are, one lock down lefty is needed.

There are plenty of in house options for a stud right hander.

100%

Tanner Scott would be my dream addition. 

I'd even roll the dice on Puk.

 

[old nurse]

Jansen would likely cost a highly rated prospect That is not happening

The Reds are poised for contention long before 2028.  That trade isn’t happening

Texas with that pitching staff is probably looking to bolster their hitting. Sure, they might trade Yates for Jose Miranda

Miami. Giving up a pitcher with 2 years of control left after this year and left handed. Even with a poor season ERA wise, the cost would not be low.  Given Miami’s trade history, a couple of midlevel prospect might do it 

An injured pitcher and the Twins. . Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results  Chargois  came off the injury list, perhaps he should be on the list, too

Yet Another pitcher with bad results and better peripheral numbers. This time a team that rarely sells at the deadline 

[AKTwinsFan]

It seems likely to replace Larnach or Margot with Wallner soon. Larnach hasn't been as effective at outfield (or at bat lately) and neither has Margot (a number of missed catches and runs scored). 

[bean5302]

21 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

...Luzardo has been put on the IL due to a stressed lumbar. It takes 4-6 weeks to recover which is just before the deadline...

The more accurate way of putting his injury is broken back. He's got a stress reaction (a bunch of microfractures) in his vertebrae.

[Doctor Gast]

57 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

The more accurate way of putting his injury is broken back. He's got a stress reaction (a bunch of microfractures) in his vertebrae.

A broken back is not the accurate way to put it. The connotation of a broken back is something very serious. A stress reaction is something common in HS athletes & again it takes 4-6 weeks to heal, which is quicker than some soft tissue injuries. Probably caused by pitching through pain, no surgery just rest & treatment & he'll be healed before the deadline. And again he can be ready long before we need him.

[Doctor Gast]

1 hour ago, Doctor Gast said:

A broken back is not the accurate way to put it. The connotation of a broken back is something very serious. A stress reaction is something common in HS athletes & again it takes 4-6 weeks to heal, which is quicker than some soft tissue injuries. Probably caused by pitching through pain, no surgery just rest & treatment & he'll be healed before the deadline. And again he can be ready long before we need him.

Even after being put on the 60-day IL, teams are making offers on Luzardo & MIA is listening.

[twinstalker]

Kenley Jansen is light brown toast.

[DJL44]

17 hours ago, Jocko87 said:

I think the target would have to be a high voltage lefty.

[bean5302]

14 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

A broken back is not the accurate way to put it. The connotation of a broken back is something very serious. A stress reaction is something common in HS athletes & again it takes 4-6 weeks to heal, which is quicker than some soft tissue injuries. Probably caused by pitching through pain, no surgery just rest & treatment & he'll be healed before the deadline. And again he can be ready long before we need him.

I'm familiar with the concept of a stress reaction. Microfractures in bones. Generally related to chronic stress of the bones/over aggressive ramp up, etc.

[Doctor Gast]

3 hours ago, bean5302 said:

I'm familiar with the concept of a stress reaction. Microfractures in bones. Generally related to chronic stress of the bones/over aggressive ramp up, etc.

I do not doubt your knowledge, What I object is how you spin it. Broken back! Give me a break! The chronic stress of the bones if over-aggressively ramped up. I believe you left off if. Again there is no rush to ramp him up & I'm sure Paparesta will see to it.

[bean5302]

7 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

I do not doubt your knowledge, What I object is how you spin it. Broken back! Give me a break! The chronic stress of the bones if over-aggressively ramped up. I believe you left off if. Again there is no rush to ramp him up & I'm sure Paparesta will see to it.

Is it or is it not fractures in his vertebrae?

The term "stress reaction" is used to make micro-fractures sound better. Miami put Luzardo on the 60 day IL almost immediately. 4-6 weeks is 28-42 days, and Miami really wanted to move Luzardo for cost savings and trade assets. Moving him to the 60 day IL makes it clear this is a serious injury, but this type of injury Luzardo is expected to make a full recovery. Stress reactions are very common in runners, especially new runners who ramp up too fast. Got them shins a barkin'

The first time I really looked into the stress reaction was good 'ol Miguel Sano. He gained a gazillion pounds, got moved to the outfield and literally broke his legs by running on them as a result. Stress reaction. A lot of his fans blamed a ball off the shin out of the batters box, but stress reactions are not acute type injuries.

Broken back is more accurate, IMHO. It gives the injury a clear definition. Fractures in bone. I'm not sure what Nick Paparesta has to do with Jesus Luzardo's recovery from his injury? Lee Meyer is Florida's head trainer. You might take broken back to mean spinal cord injury, but they're not the same.