Minnesota Twins Claim LHP Joey Wentz, Pablo Lopez To 60-Day Injured List

[Matthew Lenz]

After injuries to Zebby Matthews and Pablo López, we knew the Twins were going to have to figure out how to manage the pitching staff. This led to promotions of David Festa, Simeon Woods Richardson, Travis Adams, and Danny Coulombe. Adams has since been sent back to Triple-A St. Paul and Woods Richardson is coming off an abysmal outing against a below average Texas Rangers squad. Now, the Twins have transferred López to the 60-day IL and have claimed left-handed reliever, Joey Wentz, from the Pittsburgh Pirates to help eat innings out of the bullpen.

Wentz, 28, has thrown 26 innings across 19 appearances with an ERA of 4.15 (3.77 FIP) and a 9.5% strikeout minus walk rate. He's a typical Falvey-esque pitcher with an extension in the 88th percentile and a mid-to-low 90s fastball that he counters with horizontal movement (cutter). He also has a curveball as his third offering.

This is just a depth move by the Twins, who have relied heavily on their bullpen in the early going, but may also spell the end of the road for the struggling Jorge Alcala.

Do you think this signals the end for Alcala? How long does Wentz last with the Twins? Join the conversation in the comments!

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[Vanimal46]

He’s left handed and breathing, so there’s some use for him in the bullpen. 

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

1 hour ago, Vanimal46 said:

He’s left handed and breathing, so there’s some use for him in the bullpen. 

Maybe multiple innings too...

[DJL44]

If they were going to cut Alcala, they could just cut Alcala instead of putting Pablo on the 60 day IL. I think they're going to option Topa to the minors.

Another thought. They can option Alcala if he consents to it. That might happen.

[MMMordabito]

[Western SD Fan]

1 hour ago, DJL44 said:

If they were going to cut Alcala, they could just cut Alcala instead of putting Pablo on the 60 day IL. I think they're going to option Topa to the minors.

Another thought. They can option Alcala if he consents to it. That might happen.

I agree.  I don't think they would have bothered keeping Alcala on the staff this long to just jettison him now when there have been opportunities to do it earlier this season.  I'm not sure Alcala will actually accept an assignment in St Paul unless he clears waivers and there are no other MLB teams willing to give him a ML contract.  

[stringer bell]

When will Wentz be activated? I'm pretty sure it will be no later than after tomorrow's game, maybe he'll be available tomorrow. 

If the team is set on keeping Alcalá, optioning Topa or SWR would be their only legitimate moves. Somebody will have to pitch on Sunday, so I doubt they send SWR back down unless someone else is called up from St. Paul to make a spot start. 

[Danchat]

29 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

When will Wentz be activated? I'm pretty sure it will be no later than after tomorrow's game, maybe he'll be available tomorrow. 

If the team is set on keeping Alcalá, optioning Topa or SWR would be their only legitimate moves. Somebody will have to pitch on Sunday, so I doubt they send SWR back down unless someone else is called up from St. Paul to make a spot start. 

Alcala has been traded to Boston, so Wentz will take his spot.

[KBJ1]

1 hour ago, Danchat said:

Alcala has been traded to Boston, so Wentz will take his spot.

 

1 hour ago, Danchat said:

Alcala has been traded to Boston, so Wentz will take his spot.

Hallelujah! We lose another starter and we're done. Will they actually trade for one?

Doubtful....

[twinfan]

Don't see where this helps. Twins now need a starter or two. Trading Alcala could be a mistake. We'll see.

 

[Jeff K]

11 minutes ago, twinfan said:

Don't see where this helps. Twins now need a starter or two. Trading Alcala could be a mistake. We'll see.

 

Nothing is ever certain when involving humans.  That said, Alcala had more than enough chances.  Perhaps a change of scenery will do him well.  But his time with the Twins needed to end.

[AKTwinsFan]

We might as well just call up every top pitching prospect in our system and throw them into the fray. 

[DocBauer]

Wentz is LH and breathing, and only 27yo. He was a high draft choice...supplemental 1st round pick...who couldn't stick as a starter. He MIGHT have a future in the pen with decent velocity and a couple decent breaking balls. What's really strange is the Pirates letting him go when his numbers with them weren't all that bad.

He could just as easily be DFA by the Twins in a few days to bring Adams back up. But he does have the advantage of ML experience over Adams. I think the Twins are going to need a couple guys they can rotate through to deepen the pen over the next month or so until Matthews is back, and then Lopez in August. 

Of course, Festa getting in to a groove and SWR settling in to be the pitcher he was for most of 2024 would mitigate that need somewhat.

But any more injuries to the starting staff and the Twins are in trouble. Nobody can withstand having to turn to their 8th and 9th options and have much luck.

I wouldn't be surprised if Alcala suddenly figured something out and did well for Boston, or someone else. But he has been generally awful since August of 2024 and needed to be replaced by someone who could potentially help this season. Its just the nature of the beast. He was basically unusable for the Twins, and they need someone usable. It was time to part ways.