That's The Ticket: Juggled Rotation Must Compete

Two days later, starting pitcher Tommy Milone was on the DL. This week, Phil Hughes joined him. And there is at least one other Twins starting pitcher about whom we should be concerned.*

*Yup, I’m talking about Ervin Santana, who has only made eight starts. And here are his strikeout numbers in those eight starts:

8K in 8 IP (9K/9)

5K in 4 IP (11.3K/9)

1K in 7.2 IP (1.2 K/9)

8K in 8 IP (9K/9)

3K in 5.2 IP (4.8K/9)

2K in 6 IP (3K/9)

1K in 2.1 IP (3.9K/9)

1K in 6 IP (1.5K/9)

See how that strikeout rate drops off drastically after the fourth start? Most times I’ve seen that, the player, within a few weeks, takes time off with an injury. I have very little doubt that Santana is hurt. The alternate theory is that he is now off PEDs, but he isn’t putting up those totals early if that was the issue. And what is really worrisome is that his problem appears to be his control, more than his “stuff.” Control is where the elbow comes in….

So the Twins are using that depth to start papering over those issues – but their latest choice may have already cost them a game yesterday to the Rangers. Here’s the breakdown….

Hughes was due to start Friday’s game. Saturday’s game was open because none of the current starters would have had four days rest and Milone can’t come off the 15-day DL until Sunday, so he was due to start that game.

To fill the open slot on Saturday, the Twins planned on Tyler Duffey, who Twins fans last saw a little over a week ago when he was getting shelled by the Blue Jays.

Choosing Duffey makes some sense:

1) He’s already on the 40-man roster, because he was added for that last start.

2) He’s legit. He’s not necessarily a top of the rotation guy, but his numbers and rise through the organization demonstrate he’s on track for a middle/back end of the rotation major league career.

3) Don’t worry about him getting the crap kicked out of him by the Blue Jays in his first start. First, it was the Blue Jays, who are on fire. And second, it was his first MLB start. They don’t always go well, and it means nothing. Just ask Trevor May. And speaking of May….

He’s the choice for Friday’s start. Turning to him is good news in a way: it likely means the Twins think Hughes will be back after just 15 days. If they were more worried, they likely would have turned to JO Berrios, the top pitching prospect in the organization, who isn’t on the 40-man roster.

Their hesitation to add Berrios to the 40-man roster for what will likely be only a start or two is frustrating for those of us eager to see him. And the Twins have already paid a price for their timidity. Choosing May meant he wasn’t available for Wednesday’s close game with the Rangers. May usually pitches the eighth inning, but this time it was Casey Fien, who let in the tie-breaking run in the Rangers 6-5 victory.

The bad news is that the Twins are likely outgunned on the mound for each game in this series. The good news is that you’re going to get a taste of the Twins that could be the backbone of this rotation in 2017.

This is a big series for the Twins – hell, every series is right now. It’s unfortunate they are trying to patch together a starting rotation as they try to chase wild card teams. But the patches they are using are a long way from the patches they have used in previous years. Remember Johan Pino and P.J. Walters? Like that indy band that you saw before they got big, this weekend provides a chance to say “I saw them back when….”