Chembry

Here is a good article talking about velocity and UCL injuries: https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/is-velocity-really-the-culprit-behind-rising-baseball-injuries/

Lewis sought out an external hitting coach, Jeremy Eisenhower, recommended by Jorge Polanco and Bobby Witt Jr. The changes he has made were obvious right away from the first ST at bat. He is much quieter in the box and has a more traditional load and stride, similar to what he looked like in 2023. Let’s hope the changes he made pan out.

Definitely not an ideal update for Festa. I know there are varying degrees of shoulder impingements, but that's what kept Roki Sasaki off the mound for 4 months with the Dodgers. We have all been wondering and thinking that a bullpen role for Festa is probably best to keep him healthy. This seems to add to that.

In the BAL game, Morris didn't have a good start. gave up 4R in 1.1 IP. In the TB game, MacLeod gave up 1R, 0H, 1K, 2BB over 1.2IP, so by the looks of it pitched ok. Merryweather was pulled after 0.1IP due to injury and Darren Bowen came in, who is a AA pitcher. He was facing TBs MLB lineup and got shelled. Gave up 5R over 1.1 IP.

It's still really early in spring and I don't want us to get ahead of ourselves. Two of his ABs were against Tolle and Skubal. Tough ABs for a left handed hitter, but still something to note that he has only put 1 ball in play. AJ Hinch gave Abel some high praise after the game yesterday. He said "it's pretty electric stuff" and "it looks like he is going to be a problem to deal with"

That was a nasty changeup! It's the first pitch in the highlight reel above. As you said, the stuff is real. Still have to temper expectations, but yesterday was a step in the right direction.

My guess is pitch count. He was already up to about 40 pitches.

Abel pitched well from the sounds of it. 3IP, 2H, 5K, 0BB. ERod hit his 2nd HR of the spring (in 2g), while Wallner is 0/4 with 4Ks. I know it's early, but ERod may push Wallner out of a job.

Repetitive motions typically cause these type of injuries/flare ups. Who knows what caused this flare up, but little twist or turn at the wrong time can lead to inflammation. That's why routines are so important. Good news is the MRI revealed no structural damage.

A few things that I have noted from what I have seen: Keaschall: He went 1/2 on Saturday and hit both balls pretty hard. He faced Peyton Tolle in his first at bat and lined out to deep RC. Hit a triple that short hopped the wall in LC in his 2nd AB. Royce: Went 2/2 on Saturday with 2 RBI. He tweaked his stance and not pre-striding anymore. Looks more like 2023 with a traditional load and step. Turned on a 96mph fastball from Tolle and deposited it on the "boardwalk" in left field. Distance 413ft with an exit velo of 108.2 mph. Roden: Went 2/3 on Sunday and hit a grand slam. Both his hits were hit pretty hard. Taj Bradley: 3IP, 5H, 5K, 0BB, 1R. Bradley looked decent. Gave up a few hard hits to Acuna, Matt Olson, and a HR to Drake Baldwin. The encouraging news is split looked good and he didn't walk anyone. Kendry Rojas: I was quite impressed by Rojas. 2IP, 1H, 0R, 3K, 0BB. His fastball hit 98 on multiple occasions and his secondary pitches were moving all over the place. His changeup was nasty! Faced mostly MLB hitters Struck out Austin Riley and Acuna. I saw him pitch last year and his command was all over the place. Obviously this is one game and expectations need to be tempered, but a step in the right direction. Orze: His splitter looked nasty. 1IP, 0H, 2K. Lodise lost his bat swinging at a splitter he was way out in front of. Funderburk: Looked like the Funderburk from the first half of 2025. 1IP, 3H, 0R, 1K 0BB. Just didn't look all that sharp.

Bobby Nightengale just reported that Ryan is dealing with inflammation. Should be fine in a few days after some rest.

Raya is converting to a full time bullpen role. I have heard this many times now from spring training reports. It's also been stated that Prielipp is preparing and stretching out as a starter.

I understand what you are trying to say, but I don't agree with that mindset in general. I work in Pharma. Just like most other industries, it's a small community of people who all know each other, or at least know someone who knows that person. When a small company goes under or is acquired, many people are let go and looking for jobs. I was in that situation several years ago. Long story short, I interviewed for about 4 positions and in the end got 3 offers. Obviously, I chose one offer and turned down the other 2. Does that mean that the other companies weren't in? No, each opportunity was weighed individually. Were the offers a publicity stunt on their behalf? No, each had their own merit, because each offer was different, not only in salary, but other benefits (PTO, bonuses, deferred compensation (stocks), working equipment, incentives, etc...). In the end I chose the opportunity that was best for me, my family, and my career goals. That isn't dissimilar to the MLB free agent market. When a team makes an offer, it's an offer of employment and a team wouldn't make an offer if they weren't ready to accept that salary. In my opinion, they don't do it as a publicity stunt to potentially upset a potential employee. If they do that, they erode reputation with agents, players, etc...which hurts their chances for other MLB free agents that are represented by the same agency or other players. Coming full circle, I know what companies in Pharma treat their employees well, pay well, have a positive work environment, etc...I know that because as I said, Pharma is a small world many of us keep in contact. Same logic can be applied here. MLB players/agents talk and know quite a bit about each organization, each GM, each POBO, how they treat players, etc... In most of these cases, it's a catch 22 situation. If a free agent signs elsewhere and the team or reporters say nothing, their fans get upset saying they aren't trying, why aren't they trying to improve... If a free agent signs elsewhere and the team/reporters say team XX was "in" on said free agent, now fans get upset and say it's a publicity stunt to improve fan morale, the offer was terrible...What would you do in that situation?

I heard the same thing. From Gleeman, the offer was competitive enough that the Twins thought they had ~20% chance at landing Framber. That’s not just “checking in”.

Pablo had a MRI last September after his forearm strain. It came back clean, i.e. no tear in the UCL…this was stated last September and reiterated today.

It’s pure speculation and blatantly untrue that any of last years injuries were a precursor to the UCL tear. Gleeman reiterated on his podcast that Lopez had a full MRI after the forearm injury. That MRI showed no tear in his UCL. This is a new injury.

Bad news all around... I don't know if many of you heard or saw quotes from Tom Pohlad after his media scrum. Gleeman and the Geek said on their podcast that the Twins made a competitive offer to Framber Valdez. So much so that apparently the Twins thought they had a ~20-30% chance to land him. In the media scrum, someone asked (I am paraphrasing a bit) "Since they made a competitive offer to Valdez, does that mean they would be willing to take on a larger contract through trade?" Tom's answer was "100%, 100%" I am not advocating that the Twins go out an make a trade or sign a FA, but seems like the Twins are still looking to make a move. Falvey wasn't willing to move prospects, but maybe Zoll will. As others mentioned, the only free agents available that are somewhat worthwhile are Littell or Giolito. Some potential trade candidates (names I have seen listed as candidates): Luis Severino (2yr/$47M remaining), Mitch Keller (3yr/$55.7M remaining), Kodai Senga (2yr/$30M, $15M club option for '28), Brady Singer (1yr/$12.75M remaining), Kyle Freeland (1yr/$16M, $17M player option for '27 if reaches 170 IP in 2026), Sandy Alcantra (1yr/$17.3M, $21M club option for '27 with $2M buyout), Eury Perez (arbitration eligible through 2029), Drew Rasmussen (1yr/$5.75M, $8M club option for 2027 with $500K buyout, 2026 contract includes performance incentives of up to an additional $1.5M for games started), Kris Bubic (1yr/$6.15M) The cost to get some of those named above would be extraordinarily high, but others may not cost that much in prospect capital. None of them make up for the loss of Lopez. Again, I am not advocating for a trade or signing, but if the Twins decide to make a move, there are options.

Lowe just got a minor league deal with the Reds. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/02/reds-sign-nathaniel-lowe.html

I will say that $10M was stated after the Rogers signing. But I am onboard with everything you just said.

The $10M came from a podcast where Theo Tollefson stated he was hearing they had about $10M left to spend. That was right after Falvey left.

It’s definitely a display of the kind of advantage only a few teams have access to. I understand your point and the signal it would send to the league, but I just can’t bring myself to that level…I would if I think it would spur any kind of change. I just don’t think it will.

Dodgers announced today that they are resigning Evan Phillips to a 1yr/$6.5M deal. Normally that wouldn't be news, but Phillips is recovering from TJ surgery. A normal timetable would put a return around September 1st. He is shooting for a late July/August return. In all reality, the Dodgers are paying him $6.5M to pitch 15-20g in the regular season and then the postseason. The Dodgers just print money. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/02/dodgers-re-sign-evan-phillips-dfa-ben-rortvedt.html If you are wondering about Ben Rortvedt, the Dodgers just reclaimed Rortvedt last Friday (06Feb) after the Reds DFA'd Rortvedt to make room for Eugenio Suarez.. The Dodgers DFA'd Ben Rortvedt as the corresponding move for the Evan Phillips signing.

Phillies signed Genesis Cabrerra to a minor league deal in January

No- the Twins resigned him to a 2 year minor league deal. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/04/twins-sign-matt-canterino-to-two-year-minor-league-deal.html#:~:text=The Twins re-signed Matt,during Spring Training%2C last week.

If you are ever at Target Field and see someone wearing a Matt Canterino Jersey, it will likely be me. I got a team issued jersey from a jersey grab bag. I was pleasantly surprised.