Seth Stohs

As PJ Walters walked slowly off the field with a trainer in the top of the first after failing to get an out through the game’s first four batters thoughts immediately jumped to the Twins’ starting rotation. Scott Diamond will be on the mound on Thursday in the series finale versus the Phillies. Francisco Liriano and Nick Blackburn are back in the rotation after missing starts. Carl Pavano is on the Disabled List. PJ Walters will have an MRI on his shoulder on Thursday. Who will make upcoming starts for the Twins and is there any help in the Rochester starting rotation? Here is a look at the Twins and Red Wings upcoming schedules: [TABLE] Day Twins Starter Red Wings starter Thursday, June 14 Scott Diamond Luke French Friday, June 15 Francisco Liriano Liam Hendriks? Saturday, June 16 Liam Hendriks? Cole De Vries Sunday, June 17 Nick Blackburn Matt Maloney Monday, June 18 No Game Scheduled Sam Deduno Tuesday, June 19 ? Luke French Wednesday, June 20 ? Liam Hendriks? Thursday, June 21 ? Cole De Vries Friday, June 22 ? Matt Maloney Saturday, June 23 ? Sam Deduno Sunday, June 24 ? Luke French [/TABLE] We have all heard that it appears that Liam Hendriks (turned 23 in February) will be called up to start for the Twins on Saturday. In fact, if you look at Yahoo! Sports schedule, it lists Hendriks as the Twins scheduled starter for Saturday. However, as of late Wednesday night, Hendriks had not yet been informed that he would be promoted. As he is also scheduled to start for Rochester on Friday, he will have to be told on Thursday. Hendriks is currently 5-0 with a 1.94 ERA with the Red Wings. In 46.1 innings, he has given up just 29 hits, walked 13 and struck out 42. Let’s make an assumption that Hendriks will start for the Twins on Saturday, the Red Wings will need a starter for Friday. The Red Wings have already had 14 pitchers start a game for the team this season. Bullpen guys like Brendan Wise and Esmerling Vasquez have made spot starts in Bullpen games. It is also possible that David Bromberg (25 until September) could come off of the 7-Day Disabled List to start. He last pitched for the Red Wings on June 2nd. After a rough start to his season in the New Britain bullpen, Bromberg earned his promotion to the Red Wings in late May. He made two starts before going on the DL with right shoulder tendonitis. If Bromberg is not able to go, righty Steve Hirschfeld could be brought up to start for the Red Wings. The 26-year-old threw five shutout innings for Rochester in a spot start last week. The other option would be 22-year-old BJ Hermsen who is 4-2 with a 2.59 ERA in eight starts for the Rock Cats. So, if PJ Walters can’t start for the Twins next Tuesday, who will? I think because of the off day on Monday, the Twins would go with just four starters this time through the rotation with Diamond starting again on Tuesday on regular rest. If that’s the case, the next time the Twins would need a starter would be Saturday, June 23, in Cincinnati. Could Walters be ready then? Is there any chance that Carl Pavano would be ready to come off the Disabled List by then? As of now, the answer to both questions would likely be no. I think we can also assume that the Twins would not consider going to 13 pitchers on the staff during their games in National League ball parks. So here is an update on the other Red Wings starters and others the Twins could use to start that game (again, making the assumption that Liam Hendriks will come up and start Saturday): Jeff Manship – He went three innings on Wednesday night. When he was starting in Rochester, he was the team’s top starter (of those not promoted), posting an ERA of 3.08. Anthony Swarzak – He has already made several spot starts for the Twins this year. The team clearly prefers him to be in the bullpen. Brian Duensing – for some reason his name keeps coming up as a starting option despite the fact that he’s done a terrific job out of the bullpen and wouldn’t be stretched out at this point. Cole De Vries (27 until February) – He was just optioned to Rochester on June 7, days after recording his first big league Win. He last started for the Red Wings on Sunday and gave up six runs on six hits in just two innings. His overall Rochester numbers this year are 1-5 with a 5.18 ERA. He’s given up 53 hits in 48 innings. He is on the 40 man roster. Matt Maloney (28 until January) – Maloney was removed from the Twins 25 and 40 man rosters in early May. He cleared waivers and was sent to Rochester. He pitched twice out of the bullpen before moving into the starting rotation. He is 0-2 with a 5.79 ERA. In 18.2 innings, he has given up 31 hits, walked two and struck out 13. His most recent start was on Monday, and he gave up six runs (3 earned) on five hits in just two innings. Luke French (26 until September) – French went a combined 9-12 in 31 games (25 starts) for the Tigers and the Mariners in 2009 and 2010. The Twins signed him right before spring training to a minor league contract. He made five starts in New Britain before moving up to Rochester. The lefty has made seven starts for the Red Wings and is 1-1 with a 4.03 ERA. In 38 innings, he has given up 32 hits, walked 17 and struck out 23. However, he has not given up more than two runs in his last four starts (1-1, 2.05 ERA). Sam Deduno (28 until July 2) – The Twins signed the minor league free agent and invited him to spring training. He left his April 27th start after walking the first two batters and was put on the disabled list with right shoulder tendonitis. On Tuesday, he made his return and threw four scoreless innings. He gave up just one hit, walked three and struck out five. On the year, he is 0-1 with a 3.15 ERA. In 20 innings, he has given up 15 hits, walked 11 and struck out 18. He pitched in four games for the Rockies in 2010, and two games for the Padres in 2011. With all of the above, I believe this is what the upcoming schedule will look like: [TABLE] Day Twins Starter Red Wings starter Thursday, June 14 Scott Diamond Luke French Friday, June 15 Francisco Liriano Steve Hirschfeld Saturday, June 16 Liam Hendriks Cole De Vries Sunday, June 17 Nick Blackburn Matt Maloney Monday, June 18 No Game Scheduled Sam Deduno Tuesday, June 19 Scott Diamond Luke French Wednesday, June 20 Francisco Liriano Steve Hirschfeld Thursday, June 21 Liam Hendriks Cole De Vries Friday, June 22 Nick Blackburn Matt Maloney Saturday, June 23 Jeff Manship Sam Deduno Sunday, June 24 Scott Diamond Luke French [/TABLE] Of course, this is the great game of baseball which means anything can happen, and all of the above thought may be out the window! Any thoughts on the Twins upcoming rotation? Any thoughts on the Red Wings rotation? Any wonder why the Red Wings are struggling again in 2012? [ATTACH=CONFIG]1228[/ATTACH]

Beloit gets the Midwest 1st Half Wild Card with a win tomorrow or a Kane County loss. Magic Number is One.

Tweet from FS North's Tyler Mason: #Twins GM Terry Ryan said Eddie Rosario will have surgery Tuesday to have a metal plate put in his upper lip. Out 6 weeks. More: Rosario took a line drive to the face during batting practice w/Beloit. Ryan said Rosario's teeth were alright. Could have been much worse. From Rhett Bollinger: #Twins were actually pretty lucky with Rosario, as he didn't lose any teeth or break his nose. Hit by liner during BP.

Haven't been able to confirm yet, but heard he'll have surgery next week on several bones in his face.

Twins Lineup: Denard Span CF Ben Revere RF Joe Mauer C Josh Willingham LF Justin Morneau 1B Ryan Doumit DH Trevor Plouffe 3B Brian Dozier SS Jamey Carroll 2B SP: PJ Walters Phillies Lineup: Jimmy Rollins SS Juan Pierre LF Hunter Pence RF Jim Thome DH Shane Victorino CF Carlos Ruiz C Placido Polanco 3B John Mayberry 1B Some Guy Martinez 2B SP: Cole Hamels P

Good for him!! Pitching well. Saw the writing on the wall that he wasn't going to get a big league shot this year anyway... He signed with Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks!!

He was the hot bat when he was called up... but if he's just going to sit on the bench, maybe Sean Burroughs should have been called up instead because he is hitting alright and no one cares if he doesn't play.

I agree that it would be great if Willingham would have been in RF with Span in CF and Revere in LF. Revere has been terrific since his recall. I don't think you'd find anyone who would disagree with that. I don't think anything has changed in his 'scouting report' and that's OK. When his BA is at .340, obviously the OBP is terrific. When the BA is at .270, the OBP will be subpar. I certainly hope he continues to hit this well.

In his last four outings, Michael Tonkin has thrown 7 innings and give up 0 Runs and 0 Hits, walked 0 and struck out 15 batters.

Sam Deduno was making his first start in two months. He had right shoulder tendinitus, so that's why he would have been limited to 64 pitches.

They all seem so friendly!

I agree. He's done. Although, he might fit in well with Norfolk though.

Why would that entice him? If he doesn't sign now, he's not very smart. He goes back for his senior season, he gets maybe $30,000 next year. Would be crazy for him to not sign. I thought that those taken after the 10th round can only make a max of $100K.

Grimes signed really quickly and played quite a bit in Beloit last year. Lockwood was a 9th round pick out of high school... not exactly a high pick. He requested to be released, by the way.

There was no reason for him to be in Ft. Myers yet... so, although I get your theory, it's just not fair. And, the best thing for Sano and Rosario woudl be for them to spend a full season in the Midwest League, as did fast risers, Mauer and Revere... and Morneau... and... It's nothing mor than a bad, unfortunate 'break' to a great player.

Baseball America's Jim Callis says that the deal with Buxton is for $6 million... 25% more than top pick Carlos Correa and yet $200K less than slot. Gives Twins a little flexibility.

Facial fracture, just below the lip, per Joe Christensen. Says out six weeks.

Some great points. Thank you! Knudson missed so much time last year, his first full-season, and just was activated by the Snappers maybe 2 weeks ago. Koch is in his first full season. Rodriguez has been around awhile. And yes, being something like 5-54 might put a player on the hot seat, I'd say! He was listed as a LF.

The team hasn't announced anything at this time.

According to the Pioneer Press's John Shipley, Beloit Snappers 2B Eddie Rosario will be placed on the Disabled List. During Batting Practice today, he was struck in the face by a ball. He was taking ground balls at 3B at the time. I'll update this thread as I hear more, but depending upon where it hit him, it could be severe, or it could just be the 7 days.

Rohlfing and Knudson might be backup catchers. They likely really want Pinto and Kochh to continue to play most every day.

Thoughts on the above... Sano - I'd keep him at 3B... he's a terrific athlete, takes fly balls at times in BP, if they wanted to move him to RF eventually, they could. won't take much transition time. Same thing with first. That's why I'd absolutely keep him at 3B as long as possible. Chris Herrmann - I like him a lot as a replacement for a guy like Doumit, catch a bit, some LF, DH some... but what about his numbers indicate he should move up from NB right now? Note - Danny Lehmann is going on the DL with a strained quad which is why Rohlfing and Knudson are up. jokin - Weather is only one factor for Rosario, Sano, any southern player who comes up to Wisconsin. I like the prospect status of that Top 5... but I also don't think you're realizing that pitching is actually better as players move up... Those curveballs that Sano is missing now in the MWL or better CB in the FSL... It's not easy. Sano is hitting like .240 with a lot of power and a lot of strikeouts. That doesn't scream promotion to me.

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