Report From The Fort: Good News on Ryan, Blasts from Roden and Rodriguez

[John Bonnes]

Image courtesy of © Jonah Hinebaugh/Naples Daily News/USA Today Network-Florida / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Sigh of Relief

Joe Ryan, who was scratched from Saturday’s start, had an MRI and it found only inflammation. He’s day-to-day, and the Twins and Ryan will re-evaluate his participation in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) in a few days.

“Overall, really good news,” said Twins Manager Derek Shielton. “I think we’re happy with how we’re going to move forward.”

Taj Gets A Challenge

Since Sunday’s game was Atlanta’s Grapefruit League season opener, Twins pitcher Taj Bradley faced the Braves' “A” lineup. He threw 42 pitches over three innings, giving up five hits, one home run, and striking out five. He is already at 42 pitches because he’s preparing to represent Mexico in the WBC. He was asked about his splitter, because it was a pitch that was not as successful last year.

 

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[High heat]

First time seeing Kendry Roja, his secondary stuff ( Change up and Slider) was moving all over and the fastball was sitting 97.  He faced a lot of the big league hitter for the Braves and looked really good.

[Teflon]

Ryan Kreidler looked highly competent at shortstop on a couple of challenging plays. 

[OregonTwinsFan]

EmRod was outstanding both offensively and defensively...looks way better than Wallner. 

[#3Killer]

other news: 

Miranda is making a strong early case to join that mix as a bench bat. He tallied five hits in his first six at-bats of Cactus League play, including a pair of doubles and a home run. A non-roster invitee, Miranda struggled in Minnesota last season. But he’s only 27 years old and posted a .763 OPS for the

[DJL44]

19 minutes ago, #3Killer said:

other news: 

Miranda is making a strong early case to join that mix as a bench bat. He tallied five hits in his first six at-bats of Cactus League play, including a pair of doubles and a home run. A non-roster invitee, Miranda struggled in Minnesota last season. But he’s only 27 years old and posted a .763 OPS for the

Miranda struggled in St. Paul last season. I completely understand why they decided to try Wagaman instead.

[Chembry]

A few things that I have noted from what I have seen:

Keaschall: He went 1/2 on Saturday and hit both balls pretty hard.  He faced Peyton Tolle in his first at bat and lined out to deep RC. Hit a triple that short hopped the wall in LC in his 2nd AB.

Royce: Went 2/2 on Saturday with 2 RBI.  He tweaked his stance and not pre-striding anymore. Looks more like 2023 with a traditional load and step.  Turned on a 96mph fastball from Tolle and deposited it on the "boardwalk" in left field.  Distance 413ft with an exit velo of 108.2 mph.

Roden: Went 2/3 on Sunday and hit a grand slam.  Both his hits were hit pretty hard.  

Taj Bradley: 3IP, 5H, 5K, 0BB, 1R.  Bradley looked decent. Gave up a few hard hits to Acuna, Matt Olson, and a HR to Drake Baldwin.  The encouraging news is split looked good and he didn't walk anyone.   

Kendry Rojas: I was quite impressed by Rojas. 2IP, 1H, 0R, 3K, 0BB.  His fastball hit 98 on multiple occasions and his secondary pitches were moving all over the place.  His changeup was nasty!  Faced mostly MLB hitters  Struck out Austin Riley and Acuna.  I saw him pitch last year and his command was all over the place.  Obviously this is one game and expectations need to be tempered, but a step in the right direction.

Orze:  His splitter looked nasty.  1IP, 0H, 2K.  Lodise lost his bat swinging at a splitter he was way out in front of.  

Funderburk:  Looked like the Funderburk from the first half of 2025.  1IP, 3H, 0R, 1K 0BB.  Just didn't look all that sharp.