Tagged: Glen Perkins

March 17, 2010

Another so-so outing for Perkins

Twins left-hander Glen Perkins got his first opportunity this spring to start a game on Wednesday but the results weren’t exactly what he had hoped.

“Frustrating is the way I’d put the outing in one word,” Perkins said afterward. “I felt good and didn’t get good results.”

Perkins was given the start on Wednesday against the Rays due to Nick Blackburn being skipped in the rotation with a sore right knee. He gave up two runs on five hits in 2 1/2 inning and said afterward that he felt he made some good pitches that ended up as good hits.

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Still, it was a continuation of some spring struggles for Perkins, who has now allowed eight runs (seven earned) in 6 innings this spring. He’s currently competing for the fifth spot in the rotation with Francisco Liriano and Brian Duensing. But while his numbers aren’t great, Perkins has also not had the most consistent schedule this spring in terms of his workload.

Wednesday’s outing came just two days after Perkins threw 40 pitches in a relief appearance. He threw around 50 pitches in this start and he’ll likely have three days off before throwing in a game again on Sunday.Still, the quick turnaround is something that Perkins has actually viewed as a positive since his left shoulder — which bothered him all of last season — has been reacting well.

“I felt strong out there,” Perkins said. “I think that’s a good sign because when I was going through things, every fifth day was enough time to bounce back for me. To be able to bounce back in a couple days is a positive.”

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire
deemed the outing “all
right” and said Perkins’ location isn’t there yet. But he also stressed that Perkins is healthy and that’s a big thing for everyone to see.

Perkins said as long as he continues to stay healthy, he feels like the results will eventually come and so he’s not focused on how his current stats might affect his position in the race for the final rotation spot.

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“With the ups and downs I
had last year during the season I think I just want to stay healthy and to
continue to build arm strength first and foremost,” Perkins said. I think if I stay healthy
and continue to pitch, I’ll get better and the results will be there. I can’t
really control what happens other than I’ll just make my pitches. If they get
hits, hey get hits. I made better
pitches today I thought than other games. Just gave up some good hits. I
think that’s the frustrating part. I got a couple of strikeouts which I hadn’t
been able to do. I made some good pitches when I had to. But as far as fighting
for a spot, I just want to stay healthy and pitch. At some point I hope the
rest will take care of itself. I want to
stay on the field wherever it might be.”

September 22, 2009

Perkins to see Dr. Lewis Yocum on Wednesday

Left-hander Glen Perkins is going to see noted orthopedic specialist Dr. Lewis Yocum on Wednesday for yet another opinion on his shoulder.

“I think everybody wants to be reassured that he’s going to be fine,” Twins general manager Bill Smith said. “I had a good talk with his agent and talked to Glen the other day. Ultimately I think we are all looking for the same thing.”

The visit comes as the players’ union is currently looking into whether a grievance should be filed against the Twins on Perkins’ behalf. At issue is the lost service time after Perkins was not called up to the big leagues following his rehab from shoulder tendinitis.

Perkins had been on pace to qualify for salary arbitration as a “Super-2,” an exception made for players who fall just days short of the three-year arbitration mark.

This will be the second time that Perkins has seen Yocum this year. He was examined by the noted specialist during a July series with the Angels in Anaheim after complaining that he was battling discomfort in his shoulder the previous day during a rough start at Oakland. It was one of a few times that Perkins startled the coaching staff with news that he was hurt following a poor start. At the time of the previous visit, Yocum diagnosed Perkins with tendinitis.

August 9, 2009

Perkins to have MRI on his shoulder

Glen Perkins will not make a start for the Twins this week as he’s set to undergo an MRI on his left shoulder when the team returns to Minnesota. Perkins said it’s a “precautionary” MRI that he and his agent decided needed to be done after he’s had a hard time getting loose lately.But for now, Perkins is out of the rotation.

As for the two undecided starts on Wednesday and Thursday against the Royals, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said that Francisco Liriano would make one of them and Anthony Swarzak or Brian Duensing would make the other.

Twins third baseman Joe Crede said that his right shoulder is feeling better again and that the cortisone shot hit the right spot. He’ll be ready to do some activity on the field Tuesday, but the Twins will probably wait until at least Wednesday before slotting Crede back into the lineup.

Carlos Gomez’s calf is doing much better, Gardenhire said. Gomez didn’t start Sunday because he’s 0-for-5 with four strikeouts in his career against LHP Jarrod Washburn.

Here are today’s lineups:

Twins (54-56)
3rd place in AL Central, 4.5 games back

Denard Span, CF
Orlando Cabrera, SS
Joe Mauer, DH
Justin Morneau, 1B
Michael Cuddyer, RF
Delmon Young, LF
Mike Redmond, C
Nick Punto, 3B
Alexi Casilla, 2B
Pitching: RHP Scott Baker (9-7, 4.59)

Tigers (58-51)
1st place in AL Central

Curtis Granderson, CF
Placido Polanco, 2B
Marcus Thames, LF
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Carlos Guillen, DH
Magglio Ordonez, RF
Brandon Inge, 3B
Gerald Laird, C
Ramon Santiago, SS
Pitching: LHP Jarrod Washburn (8-7, 2.93)

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August 7, 2009

Pavano arrives in Detroit and Crede out for series

A busy day here at Comerica Park for the Twins, starting of course with the acquisition of pitcher Carl Pavano from the Indians. So here a few quick updates while I work on more stories for later.

— Carl Pavano arrived at the ballpark this afternoon after driving up from Cleveland and spoke with the media before batting practice. He’s excited to come to a division-contending team. He’ll get his opportunity to pitch quickly for Minnesota. Pavano is set to start Saturday against the Tigers and Glen Perkins will move into the bullpen for this series. Pavano will wear Torii Hunter’s old number, 48.

–Here is how the rotation will roll out for now. Scott Baker will make Sunday’s start in the series finale.Nick Blackburn is set to pitch Tuesday vs. Kansas City and he’ll be on regular rest, thanks to Monday’s off day. For now both Francisco Liriano and Perkins are still considered to be in the rotation, although as I said earlier Perkins will be out of the ‘pen for now. More decisions will be made on the rotation after they can talk to Liriano, who is currently in the Twin Cities dealing with a family matter.

— Third baseman Joe Crede will miss this series, as he’s going to have another cortisone shot in the AC joint of his right shoulder tonight. The pain has been steadily getting worse in his shoulder again and doctors feel another shot should help that. The hope is Crede will be ready to play Tuesday vs. Kansas City.

Twins (53-55)
3rd place in AL Central, 4.5 games back

Denard Span, LF
Orlando Cabrera, SS
Joe Mauer, C
Justin Morneau, 1B
Jason Kubel, DH
Michael Cuddyer, RF
Brendan Harris, 3B
Carlos Gomez, CF
Nick Punto, 2B
Pitching: RHP Anthony Swarzak (3-4, 4.25)

Tigers (57-50)
1st place in AL Central

Curtis Granderson, CF
Placido Polanco, 2B
Clete Thomas, LF
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Carlos Guillen, DH
Magglio Ordonez, RF
Brandon Inge, 3B
Alex Avila, C
Adam Everett, SS
Pitching: RHP Armando Galarraga (5-10, 5.22)

A reminder you can follow me on Twitter @kellythesier

July 9, 2009

Perkins still sick, Blackburn to start Fri. vs White Sox

Glen Perkins came into the ballpark on Thursday morning to see the trainers and then was sent to see team physician Dr. Vijay Eyunni to get checked for strep throat. Perkins has been battling a fever and a very sore throat.

With Perkins still ill, Nick Blackburn will get the start against the White Sox on Friday. Saturday’s start is still in question as it depends on Perkins’ health. If Perkins can’t go Saturday, the Twins will turn to either Brian Duensing, Bobby Keppel or R.A. Dickey to make the spot start.

Brendan Harris and Joe Crede are getting a rest for the series finale with the Yankees. Manager Ron Gardenhire said that Harris has been playing a lot of baseball lately and felt it time to give Harris’ legs a rest. For Crede, it’s just a day game after night game rest because Gardenhire doesn’t want to push it with his third baseman.

The rest days also give Matt Tolbert and Brian Buscher a chance to start for the Twins

Kevin Slowey (strained right wrist) will begin his throwing program on Friday. He’ll play catch from 60 feet and then move to 90 feet on Sat. Gardenhire said that Slowey will stay in the Twin Cities for the All-Star Break and will continue his throwing at the Metrodome. He’s expected to make a five-inning Minor League start before he returns from the DL. Slowey is eligible to return on July 19.

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Here are your lineups as the Twins try to prevent the season sweep by the Yankees.

Yankees
Derek Jeter, SS
Nick Swisher, RF
Mark Teixeira, 1B
Alex Rodriguez, DH
Jorge Posada, C
Robinson Cano, 2B
Melky Cabrera, LF
Cody Ransom, 3B
Brett Gardner, CF
Pitching: Alfredo Aceves, RHP

Twins
Denard Span, CF
Matt Tolbert, 2B
Joe Mauer, DH
Justin Morneau, 1B
Jason Kubel, LF
Michael Cuddyer, RF
Brian Buscher, 3B
Mike Redmond, C
Nick Punto, SS
Pitching: Francisco Liriano, LHP

July 8, 2009

Twins shuffle rotation due to Perkins being ill

As I wrote in an earlier blog, the Twins have scratched Glen Perkins from tonight’s start against the Yankees because he’s ill and battling a fever. Anthony Swarzak will get the start for the Twins instead.

Perkins is not coming to the ballpark tonight, and right now it appears that Francisco Liriano will move up a day and start Thurs. vs. New York. Manager Ron Gardenhire said it’s “not totally locked in” so there is a chance it could change.

Depending on his health, Perkins could start Friday’s series opener vs. the White Sox or be slotted in any other day of the weekend when he’s feeling better.

Following Scott Baker’s short start last night, the Twins bullpen is a little thin. Gardenhire said there are four relievers available — Bobby Keppel, Matt Guerrier, Jose Mijares and Joe Nathan. Since both Brian Duensing and R.A. Dickey threw over 50 pitches, they are not considered available.

“We can stretch Keppel out if we have — hopefully we won’t have to,” Gardenhire said. “We’ll save the other guys for late stuff. It’s not a perfect scenario but not a lot we can do about it now.”

Even with Jason Kubel in the lineup, Michael Cuddyer is batting fifth behind Justin Morneau. Gardenhire said it was a result of Cuddyer swinging the bat well and also that righties are hitting better vs. Yankees starter A.J. Burnett (righties .273, lefties .207)

Here are your lineups.

Yankees
Derek Jeter, SS
Johnny Damon, LF
Mark Teixeira, 1B
Alex Rodriguez, 3B
Hideki Matsui, DH
Jorge Posada, C
Robinson Cano, 2B
Nick Swisher, RF
Brett Gardner, CF
Pitching: A.J. Burnett, RHP

Twins
Denard Span, LF
Brendan Harris, SS
Joe Mauer, C
Justin Morneau, 1B
Michael Cuddyer, RF
Jason Kubel, DH
Joe Crede, 3B
Carlos Gomez, CF
Nick Punto, 2B
Pitching: Anthony Swarzak, RHP

A reminder that you can follow me on Twitter @kellythesier

July 8, 2009

Perkins scratched from start

Twins starter Glen Perkins is running a fever so he’s been scratched from his start tonight against the Yankees. Right-hander Anthony Swarzak will start in Perkins’ place.

It’s unclear yet whether Perkins will be ready to start on Thursday, which was Swarzak’s scheduled start. I’ll have more on this later.

Reminder, you can follow me on Twitter @kellythesier

June 16, 2009

Crain optioned to Triple-A Rochester

To make room on the roster for Tuesday night’s starter Glen Perkins, the Twins have optioned right-hander Jesse Crain to Triple-A Rochester.

Crain was the losing pitcher in Sunday’s 3-2 loss to the Cubs in Chicago when he gave up the winning run in the ninth inning, allowing three hits and walking one to break up what had been a 2-2 tie. It was a continuation of troubles that Crain has had this season. He was 2-3 with an 8.15 ERA in 23 appearances (17 2/3 innings) for the Twins.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire was frustrated after Sunday’s loss by Crain’s recent struggles.

“You try to find the right situation to put him in ballgames, but when
you get to this point, there’s no right situation,” Gardenhire said after the game.
“He’s got to go out and get outs. Our bullpen’s dying out there, and
he’s the guy that’s got to try to get somebody out, and it didn’t
happen today.”

The move to option Crain allowed Perkins to be activated from the disabled list in time for his start against the Pirates on Tuesday night. Perkins was put on the DL on May 19 with inflammation in his left elbow. He’ll be making his ninth start of the season for the Twins, going 1-3 with a 5.36 ERA in his previous eight outings.

June 5, 2009

Welcome to Sunny Seattle

I don’t know what it is about the Twins’ trips to Seattle, but they always tend to come at ideal weather times in the city. I took advantage of the weather this morning and did something I rarely do — played a round of golf on the road. For any of you who might travel to the Seattle/Tacoma area, I would highly recommend playing Chambers Bay. It’s about 45 min. or so away from Seattle and ranked among Golf Magazine’s top courses in the country that anyone can play. It is also scheduled to host the 2015 U.S. Open. Just a beautiful course and a challenge as well.

OK, enough with golf and back to baseball.

Michael Cuddyer (strained right finger) took early BP and regular BP on Friday, but was not back in the lineup. Cuddyer said that his finger felt fine after hitting and throwing during the early session, but the club wants to watch his finger and see how much the swelling comes back. He could be ready to return to the lineup on Saturday.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire also reported that Glen Perkins’ left elbow felt fine after his first rehab start on Thursday for Class A Fort Myers. Perkins pitched four innings, allowing five runs (three earned) on six hits — including two home runs– and struck out five. Gardenhire siad the reports were that Perkins threw a lot of fastballs and didn’t start mixing in his breaking pitches until after giving up the home runs. The expectation is still that Perkins will make one more start for Fort Myers on Tuesday — throwing between 90-100 pitches — and the club will evaluate his status after that.

Today’s Lineups:

Twins
Denard Span, LF
Joe Mauer, C
Justin Morneau, 1B
Jason Kubel, RF
Joe Crede, 3B
Brendan Harris, SS
Brian Buscher, DH
Carlos Gomez, CF
Alexi Casilla, 2B
Pitching: Francisco Liriano, LHP

Mariners
Ichiro Suzuki, RF
Russell Branyan, 1B
Adrian Beltre, 3B
Mike Sweeney, DH
Jose Lopez, 2B
Wladimir Balentien, LF
Rob Johnson, C
Ronny Cedeno, SS
Franklin Gutierrez, CF
Pitching: Felix Hernandez, RHP

May 18, 2009

Twins place Perkins on the DL

After Monday night’s 7-6 loss to the Yankees, the Twins announced that they were putting left-hander Glen Perkins on the 15-day disabled list with inflammation in his left elbow.

Perkins lasted just 2/3 of an inning in his start against the Yankees on Monday, giving up six runs on seven hits. He said after the game that he had been dealing with some soreness in his elbow for some time, but it wasn’t until he was struggling to finish off his pitches in this start that he determined it was too much to try to pitch through.

Perkins will travel back to Minnesota on Tuesday to get an MRI of his elbow.

To replace Perkins on the roster, the Twins will purchase the contract of left-hander Sean Henn from Triple-A Rochester. Henn, who has posted a 1.13 ERA with six saves in 15 appearances for the Red Wings, will join the Twins in Chicago on Tuesday.