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So why was he lifted? The Twins certainly wanted to get some innings for relievers Mark Hamburger, Aaron Thompson and AJ Achter, who are all competing for a bullpen role. But manager Paul Molitor added that May’s pitches were changing and elevating in the fourth inning. “Out of the stretch, he started elevating. He got the strikeout on the high fastball but his pitches were changing,” said Molitor.
Whether the Twins were guarding against a negative impact to May’s confidence or his health isn’t clear. Both have been issues. May started spring training with the flu that was going around the Twins clubhouse, and that gave his candidacy for the fifth starter’s spot an early setback. Today’s game marked his return to an official Grapefruit League game; his last (reportedly impressive) start was on the minor league fields due to limited Grapefruit games and the Twins crowded rotation.
The topic of May’s confidence came up in the pregame meeting with Terry Ryan, and Ryan says he sees a difference between May and the pitcher who took the mound last August and September. “For me, that experience that he got from August and September, looks to me like it’s been beneficial to him. He looks like he wants to fit in and belong. His body language is pretty good. His confidence level looks pretty high.”
May also says he feels confidence is playing a part in how he is performing. “You gain confidence from a level of comfort, and having done it for a while and throwing to the hitters and in front of the crowd and stuff a few times, it’s easier to push that out of the way.”
We’ll see if today’s effort earns May yet one more Grapefruit League start. He would be in line to pitch again on Thursday, though the Twins could juggle things a little, because they won’t have the luxury of a split squad game that day and Tommy Milone would also be in line to start. Milone pitched today in Fort Myers and also lasted four innings, but gave up five hits, two walks and four earned runs courtesy of a rocky second inning.
Regardless of what plays out this week, in Terry Ryan’s mind, May looks like someone who can play a big role in the future. “I’m eagerly anxious to see him perform today, because we’re counting on this guy,” said Ryan before the game. From the glimpse we saw, that future looks a lot brighter now than it did last August. And maybe, just maybe, that future is now.
Escobar Keeps Doing His Job – Whatever That Job Is
Eduardo Escobar added an eleventh RBI to his spring training totals by driving in the game’s first run in the fifth inning. He was praised after the game by Molitor, just like he was praised after yesterday’s game when asked about Escobar’s production. Today Escobar played at second base, because “We want to get him prepared possibly to be a guy that will play around a little bit to get at-bats.”
That sounds a lot like Escobar won’t be the Twins everyday shortstop unless something changes, and playing every day is one of the reasons Escobar thought he had such a good season last year. But regardless, he seems to be ready to embrace whichever role he has. “I come into the stadium ready to play. I’m here for Molitor. I’m ready for my chance,” stated Escobar. “When I have my opportunity, I play hard.”
Roster Will Be Pitching Heavy
Both Terry Ryan and Paul Molitor shared today that they expect the Twins to come north with a 12-man pitching staff, meaning they’ll break camp with seven relievers and four bench players. Asked about what the left-handed/right-handed makeup of that bullpen might be, Molitor was more guarded. But Ryan was fairly blunt that he just wants the seven best pitchers, regardless of role.
“We might not go with a left, period, if we didn’t have to. We’re going to go with the best guys. Obviously we’ve got [Glen] Perkins, so he’s going to be a left, but whether or not we have any more lefties, that’s going to be up to how they end up responding here.”
For what it’s worth, it sounds like Molitor is already including lefty Brian Duensing in one of the bullpen spots. But that doesn’t mean there can’t be others.
One of the guys competing for the left-handed spot pitched today in Port Charlotte. Aaron Thompson threw two innings and Molitor noted that he continues to show that he has a good strikeout pitch against left-handers and enough pitches to be effective against right-handers.
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