Twins Send Four Pitchers to Minor League Camp

The Twins announced on Monday afternoon that lefty Brent Headrick, and right-handers Matt Canterino and Simeon Woods Richardson have been optioned to St. Paul. In addition, right-hander David Festa was reassigned to Twins minor league camp. 

Certainly there were no surprises in this group of players sent down. With Opening Day just over three weeks away for both the Twins and the Saints, their starting pitchers need to start being stretched out. All four pitchers that were sent back to minor-league camp should be expected to start the season in the Saints starting rotation. 

Pablo Lopez, Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, and Chris Paddack appear to have four of the Twins starting pitcher spots locked down. Anthony DeSclafani and Louie Varland may be competing for a fifth starter job, a spot the Twins may not need for the first couple of times through the rotation due to early-season off days. 

The assumption is that Varland will start the season in St. Paul and be called up when there is a need for a starter. Varland, Headrick, Woods Richardson and Festa should comprise four starters for the Saints. Randy Dobnak, who was reassigned last week, should be a regular starter there as well, and there are a couple of veterans, such as Caleb Boushley, who will also make starts in St. Paul. 

Festa, Twins Daily's #5 prospect heading into the season pitched just one inning in one game for the Twins this spring. The hard-throwing right-hander has a strong three-pitch mix, but now he needs to get ready for his season. 

Brent Headrick pitched in three games this spring. He gave up just two runs over 6 1/3 innings (2.84 ERA), and both runs came in his second inning of action in today's game. 

Canterino's stuff is as good as anyone in the organization, but he hasn't pitched much since being the Twins second-round pick in 2019 from Rice. In his two outings, he gave up one run on three hits in three innings. He had five strikeouts. 

Simeon Woods Richardson had a lot to prove coming into spring training, and I think he opened some eyes. He pitched five innings and gave up no runs on just one hit. He walked two and struck out three batters. But more important, he was sitting between 92 and 94 mph consistently. It was a focus this offseason because late last season, he was topping out at about 90 mph. With his solid second half in St. Paul last year, coupled with some new mechanics and improved fastball, he's put himself back on the map. 

Along with being the St. Paul Saints starting rotation, they are the depth for the Twins pitching staff in 2024. If Varland starts the season in St. Paul, he's likely the #6 starter. But once the season gets going, each of them will need to work to get ready for the call. 

With Monday's moves, the Twins now have 46 players in spring training camp. Of those, 10 are non-roster players. They have 22 pitchers (4 none-roster), five catchers (2 non-roster), 10 infielders (3 non-roster), seven outfielders (0 non-roster) and two utility players (1 non-roster). Josh Winder is also on the 60-Day IL.