BREAKING: Harper, Austin, Astudillo Make Opening Day Roster

I know it's great that they keep Austin, but how much is he going to play? Especially with all the off days in the beginning of the season.

Guess this means Magill is gone.

Is Reed truly injured or are they stashing him?

I like it.  It's got to be a sigh of relief for guys like May and Hildenberger who wore Red Wings uniforms today and pitched for them. 

Is Reed truly injured or are they stashing him?

From what I've read it sounds like a sore thumb on his non-throwing hand. Basically he's sucked in spring training and rather than cut a guy making $8.5M they put him on the IR to see if with more time he can get back to being a serviceable major league pitcher.

Yeah, I don't have much hope for Reed; but, at $8.5MM, you have to give him more chances than you might like.

Congrats to Ryne Harper.  Do everything you can to hold that roster spot.

I guess I had forgotten about Gibby being a little behind when I posted a theoretical rotation in the roster prediction thread. But I am glad that Falvine decided to be “bold” and go with “only” 11 pitchers to start the year. I remember when going with 11 was considered having an “extra” pitcher...

Is Reed truly injured or are they stashing him?

He's "injured" - aka: can't hit the broad side of a barn and has been going downhill since July of 2018. It looks like he's just out of gas and unfortunately hasn't been a good signing for the Twins. I wouldn't be surprised if they released him or put him on the 60-day IL. It's pretty clear to me that management and the front office don't want him anywhere near the bullpen as things stand.

Great for Astudillo! And Austin! And we still get Adrianza, Cave, and Garver. What a story Harper has been this year - I really feel he can contribute.

The Lumber Company: the Sequel.

Congrats to Harper. As the only bullpen arm with options (I think), I'm guessing he'll ride the shuttle this year.

This is new territory for us. I know some of it is because the schedule is so odd but to me they are taking advantage of it. In the past I think they would've sent out Reed regardless of the games that were lost. I like to see every game treated as important.

This would be the first time I can remember agreeing with all these decisions. With the fact that starters usually take awhile to ramp up the innings this is bold and it will be fun to watch how they mange the bench and the pen

Congrats to Harper. As the only bullpen arm with options (I think), I'm guessing he'll ride the shuttle this year.

Hildenberger and Rogers have options. Les hope all three pitch so well that they stay in the majors.

In theory, Berrios could pitch in every series except @ the Mets and still come home and start the first game of the second home stand. Gibson could be used sparingly or even stacked with Odorizzi or Pineda in a situation until he gets back to full strength.

Youth, talent and merit seem to be served by this lineup. I like it.

And so my friends, once again we play our dangerous game. Grown men throwing balls, hitting balls, catching balls, and occasionally running into each other. Feathers will be ruffled, and feelings will be hurt. Messages will be sent, and received, oh yes.

This group of twenty five, this band of ballplayers, in this nineteenth year of the 21st century since somebody did something to somebody, shall embark upon yet another epic journey, writing their names in history with each throw, each swing, each catch, each dash to the next base. 

Meanwhile, we fans will cheer and boo, trying in earnest to remember when to do which, between gulps of over-priced beer and bites of food that no doctor would ever recommend. 

Sound the Gjellyhorn! Pound the drums! Cut loose the hot dogs of baseball! Here come the 2019 Minnesota Twins!!