Tagged: Red Sox
Nathan’s first game action: Twins vs. Red Sox 3/1
By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Joe Nathan will take the next big step in his recovery from Tommy John surgery on Tuesday afternoon at Hammond Stadium.
Nathan is set to take the mound in a game for the first time since tearing the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow last spring in a game against the Red Sox on March 6 at City of Palms Park. Nathan underwent surgery on March 26 and since then he’s reported no setbacks. But of course this is a big day for the 36-year-old right-hander as he works to regain his closer role with the Twins and prove he’ll be ready for Opening Day.
But Nathan isn’t the only pitcher to watch in this contest. Right-hander Scott Baker, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow this offseason, is making his first start of the spring. Baker had a slight setback last month after pushing his recovery but he’s back on track once again.
Another piece of news from Twins camp is that Jim Kaat will be joining the team’s Spring Training staff.
Kaat, 72, will be in uniform as a special instructor from Sunday through next Friday. The pitcher, who spent 25 years in the big leagues including 13 of those with the Twins, is the Twins’ all-time leader in wins (189), games started (422) and innings pitched (2959 1/3).
Also, a slight tweak in the pitching schedule. Left-hander Francisco Liriano is going to pitch in a ‘B’ game on Friday, so Kevin Slowey will get the start in the ‘A’ game against the Rays at Hammond Stadium that day.
Here are the lineups and note how many interesting pitchers there are to watch for the Twins today:
Red Sox (1-1)
Marco Scutaro, SS
Jed Lowrie, 2B
Mike Cameron, DH
Kevin Youkilis, 3B
Ryan Kalish, CF
Darnell McDonald, LF
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Josh Reddick, RF
Drew Sutton, 1B
Pitching: LHP Jon Lester
Others
scheduled to pitch: Alfredo Aceves, Jonathan Papelbon, Tony Pena Jr., Randy Williams, Rich Hill
Twins
(1-1)
Denard Span, CF
Tsuyoshi Nishioka, 2B
Danny Valencia, 3B
Jim Thome, DH
Joe Benson, RF
Chris Parmelee, 1B
Rene Tosoni, LF
Drew Butera, C
Alexi Casilla, SS
Pitching: RHP Scott Baker
Others scheduled to pitch: Joe Nathan, Jose Mijares, Kyle Gibson, Carlos Gutierrez, Yorman Bazardo, David Bromberg, Kyle Waldrop, Deolis Guerra
Mayor’s Cup Competition Take 2: Twins at Red Sox 2/28
By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com
Fort Myers, Fla. — The Twins are getting set to play their second of three straight contests against the Red Sox to open up the spring. This time they’re at City of Palms Park.
Michael Cuddyer said this morning that there is really no update about the wart on his left foot. Cuddyer is trying the cream that he received this weekend to treat the wart but for now, there has been no change and it’s a waiting process. One that Cuddyer certainly does not enjoy as he said he really wants to get back on the field.
Other than that, not much news yet this morning. We’re going to try to talk to manager Ron Gardenhire before the game and if there are any updates, including about exactly when Justin Morneau might go see a doctor this week to get cleared for games, I’ll pass them along.
For now, here are the lineups and pitchers:
Twins
(1-0)
Ben Revere, LF
Trevor Plouffe, SS
Jason
Kubel, DH
Luke Hughes, 3B
Jeff Bailey, 1B
Brian Dinkelman, RF
Matt Tolbert, 2B
Rene Rivera, C
Jason Repko, CF
Pitching: RHP Nick Blackburn
Others scheduled to pitch: Kevin Slowey, Glen Perkins, Anthony Slama, Jim Hoey, David Bromberg, Deolis Guerra, Eric Hacker, Kyle Waldrop
Red Sox (0-1)
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Carl Crawford, LF
David Ortiz, DH
J.D. Drew, RF
Jason Varitek, C
Brent Dlugach, SS
Drew Sutton, 1B
Yamaico Navarro, 3B
Pitching: RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka
Others
scheduled to pitch: Tim Wakefield, Andrew Miller, Daniel Bard, Matt Albers, Matt Fox
It’s Game Time: Grapefruit League Opener 2/27
By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com
Tonight marks the start of game action for the Twins as they host the Red Sox in the Grapefruit League opener at Hammond Stadium. It’s also the start of the Mayor’s Cup competition between the two clubs
with five matchups between them this spring (three of which will take
place in a row to start off the schedule).
Here are the lineups for the opener:
Red Sox (0-0)
Darnell McDonald, LF
Jed Lowrie, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Kevin Youkilis, 3B
Mike Cameron, CF
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Ryan Kalish, RF
Lars Anderson, 1B
Jose Iglesias, SS
Pitching: RHP Josh Beckett
Others scheduled to pitch: Clay Buchholz, Brandon Duckworth, Hideki Okajima, Scott Atchison, Dan Wheeler
Twins (0-0)
Denard Span, CF
Tsuyoshi Nishioka, 2B
Jason Kubel, RF
Jim Thome, DH
Danny Valencia, 3B
Chris Parmelee, 1B
Jason Repko, LF
Alexi Casilla, SS
Drew Butera, C
Pitching: RHP Carl Pavano
Others scheduled to pitch: Pat Neshek, Dusty Hughes, Alex Burnett, Jeff Manship, Scott Diamond, Anthony Swarzak, Yorman Bazardo
Trying for a 3-4 roadtrip: Twins at Red Sox 5/20
By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com
BOSTON – The Twins are trying to wrap up their roadtrip with a win tonight and while it would still be a losing roadtrip, a 3-4 record certainly looks better than 2-5 vs. the AL East on this three-city trip.
It appears unlikely that shortstop J.J. Hardy will be ready to play this weekend against his former team, the Brewers. Hardy (left wrist contusion) is still only hitting off a tee and manager Ron Gardenhire said the club will most likely wait until after Monday’s off day to activate him from the DL.
The Twins don’t want to stick with 13 pitchers to they’re expected to make a roster mover after tonight’s game to swap a pitcher for an infielder. The move is not known yet, although Matt Tolbert is not eligible to be brought up again and Luke Hughes is on the DL with a strained groin.
Twins
(24-16)
Denard Span, CF
Orlando
Hudson, 2B
Joe Mauer, C
Justin Morneau, 1B
Michael Cuddyer,
RF
Jason Kubel, DH
Delmon Young, LF
Brendan Harris, SS
Nick
Punto, 3B
Pitching: LHP Francisco Liriano (4-2, 2.63
ERA)
Red Sox (21-20)
Darnell McDonald, CF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Victor Martinez, C
Kevin Youkilis,
1B
Mike Lowell, DH
Adrian Beltre, 3B
J.D. Drew, RF
Bill
Hall, LF
Angel Sanchez, SS
Pitching: LHP Jon Lester
(3-2, 3.91 ERA)
A
reminder
you
can follow me on Twitter @kellythesier
Welcome to Beantown: Twins at Red Sox 5/19
By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com
BOSTON –After missing the two-day trip to Toronto, I’m back with the Twins as they wrap up the roadtrip with a two-game set against the Red Sox.
For now, here are the lineups:
Twins
(24-15)
Denard Span, CF
Orlando
Hudson, 2B
Joe Mauer, C
Justin Morneau, 1B
Michael Cuddyer,
RF
Jim Thome, DH
Jason Kubel, LF
Brendan Harris, SS
Nick Punto, 3B
Pitching: RHP Scott Baker (4-3, 4.93
ERA)
Red Sox (20-20)
J.D. Drew, RF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Victor Martinez, C
Kevin Youkilis, 1B
David Ortiz, DH
Adrian Beltre, 3B
Jeremy Hermida, LF
Bill Hall, SS
Darnell McDonald, CF
Pitching: RHP Clay Buchholz (4-3, 3.46 ERA)
A
reminder
you
can follow me on Twitter @kellythesier
Jackie Robinson Day: Twins vs. Red Sox 4/15
By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com
MINNEAPOLIS — Target Field held up in the rain during Wednesday afternoon’s contest but while it was overcast and rainy this morning, the sky is clearing up just before game time so it should be a nice day for baseball.
Today is Jackie Robinson Day and baseball is celebrating the 63rd anniversary of Robinson breaking the color barrier in the sport. Throughout baseball, players will wear No. 42 in remembrance of Robinson and for guys like Denard Span and Orlando Hudson it’s indeed a special day.
As for Twins news this morning, Brian Duensing is considered to be a game-time decision because he has the stomach flu. Pat Neshek also has a strained flexor tendon in the middle finger of his right hand. Neshek was not going to throw today after throwing close to 40 pitches on Wednesday but the club will have to wait and see how his finger reacts in the coming days.
Otherwise, Jim Thome is in the starting lineup for the first time at Target Field. He’ll DH while Jason Kubel shifts to left field. Ron Mahay was also in the clubhouse this morning and the left-hander will be available for the game.
Red Sox (4-4)
Marco Scutaro, SS
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Victor Martinez, C
Kevin
Youkilis, 1B
Adrian Beltre, 3B
Mike Lowell, DH
J.D. Drew, RF
Bill Hall, CF
Jeremy Hermida, LF
Pitching: RHP Tim Wakefield
Twins
(6-3)
Denard Span, CF
Orlando
Hudson, 2B
Joe Mauer, C
Justin Morneau, 1B
Michael Cuddyer,
RF
Jim Thome, DH
Jason Kubel, LF
J.J. Hardy, SS
Nick
Punto,
3B
Pitching: LHP Francisco Liriano
A reminder
you
can follow me on Twitter @kellythesier
Back to Baseball: Twins vs. Red Sox 4/14
By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com
MINNEAPOLIS — Now that the pomp and circumstance of Opening Day at Target Field is over, the Twins turn their focus truly back to baseball and getting comfortable at their new home.
Red Sox (3-4)
Marco Scutaro, SS
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Victor Martinez, C
Kevin Youkilis, 1B
David Ortiz, DH
Adrian Beltre, 3B
J.D. Drew, RF
Mike Cameron, CF
Jeremy Hermida, LF
Pitching: RHP John Lackey
Twins
(6-2)
Denard Span, CF
Orlando
Hudson, 2B
Joe Mauer, C
Justin Morneau, 1B
Michael Cuddyer,
RF
Jason Kubel, DH
Delmon Young, LF
J.J. Hardy, SS
Nick Punto,
3B
Pitching: RHP Kevin Slowey
A reminder
you
can follow me on Twitter @kellythesier
Twins vs. Red Sox 3/23
By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com
FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Twins and Red Sox are set to meet up for the fifth time this season tonight and currently Minnesota trails 1-3 in the Mayor’s Cup with three contests, including this one, remaining between the crosstown rivals.
Twins closer Joe Nathan said today that he’ll undergo Tommy John ligament replacement surgery on Friday in New York. The surgery will be performed by noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. David Altchek.
Left-hander Glen Perkins has a strained back, which he suffered while doing squats during a workout on Monday’s off day. He’s listed as day-to-day but it will likely be a couple days before he can throw.
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire made it clear that Michael Cuddyer will be his backup center fielder, and that he likely won’t use any infielders to back up the spot unless it’s an emergency. Cuddyer made a great catch while playing center in a game at Port Charlotte on Saturday, so there should be no concerns if he has to back up the spot during those rare occasions.
Gardenhire also labeled the race between Alexi Casilla and Matt Tolbert for the final bench spot as, `neck-and-neck.’ Remember Casilla is out of options so that could sway things.
Red Sox (9-11)
Marco Scutaro, SS
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
J.D. Drew, RF
Kevin Youkilis, 1B
David Ortiz, DH
Adrian Beltre, 3B
Jason Varitek, C
Jeremy Hazelbaker, LF
Che-Hsuan Lin, CF
Pitching: RHP Clay Buchholz
Others scheduled to pitch: Jonathan Papelbon, Hideki Okajima, Daniel Bard, Ramon Ramiez, Manny Delcarmen
Twins (9-8)
Denard Span, CF
Orlando Hudson, 2B
Joe Mauer, C
Justin Morneau, 1B
Michael Cuddyer, RF
Jason Kubel, DH
Delmon Young, LF
J.J. Hardy, SS
Nick Punto, 3B
Pitching: RHP Carl Pavano
Others scheduled to pitch: Matt Guerrier, Pat Neshek, Jesse Crain
A reminder you can follow me on Twitter @kellythesier
Twins vs. Red Sox 3/14
By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com
The Twins made their first cuts of spring this morning and a total of eight players were sent across the complex to the Minor League side. There were no surprises.
Three players were optioned to Double-A New Britain: right-handers Deolis Guerra and Loek Van Mil and infielder Estarlin De Los Santos.
Five others were reassinged to Minor League camp: left-hander Jose Lugo, catchers Jair Fernandez and Danny Rams, infielder Steve Singleton, and outfielder Rene Tosoni.
So a total of 48 players remain in camp.
Joe Mauer was not in the lineup again today. He said that his sore right shoulder (foul tip) is feeling better but since it’s Spring Training, they just want him to take it easy. He’s not expected to make the long bus trip across the state to Jupiter tomorrow either so he might be back in the lineup on Tuesday.
Justin Morneau was scratched from an early lineup due to some soreness. I haven’t gotten an exact word on where the soreness might be, so I’ll update it later on.
Also, Josh Beckett was scratched due to an illness. Ryne Miller got the start in his place.
Red Sox (7-3)
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Kevin Youkilis, 1B
David Ortiz, DH
Jeremy Hermida, RF
Marco Scutaro, SS
Jason Varitek, C
Bill Hall, 3B
Josh Reddick, LF
Pitching: RHP Ryne Miller
Others scheduled to pitch: Scott Atchison
Twins (5-4)
Alexi Casilla, SS
Orlando Hudson, 2B
Michael Cuddyer, CF
Jason Kubel, DH
Brendan Harris, 3B
Brock Peterson, 1B
Jacque Jones, RF
Juan Portes, LF
Drew Butera, C
Pitching: RHP Kevin Slowey
Others scheduled to pitch: Jon Rauch, Jesse Crain, Matt Guerrier, Glen Perkins, Kyle Waldrop, Rob Delaney
A reminder you can follow me on Twitter @kellythesier
More notes and nuggets from Game 3 of spring
By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire wasn’t pleased with how his pitching staff threw the ball in their third spring game, a 9-3 loss to the Red Sox. But the bigger concern to come out of Saturday’s contest was the health of closer Joe Nathan.
Nathan had to leave the game after recording just one out in the third inning due to tightness and soreness in his surgically repaired right elbow. For a team that doesn’t have a clear choice for the closer spot if Nathan isn’t available, it’s not a comforting sight to see him have to leave a game.
After exiting the contest, Nathan went back to the Twins Spring Training complex across town to have his elbow examined by the team doctors. The club will know more from the results of that, but the belief (and hope) of the team is that this could be normal soreness as Nathan works his way back from the surgery.
So we’ll have to see on Sunday what the news is about Nathan. He’ll likely be shut down for at least a few days. Since it’s Spring Training, the club will be cautious with their four-time All-Star closer.
Here are a few other nuggets from the day:
–Jesse Crain was scheduled to pitch in Saturday’s contest but he was scratched due to a case of the flu. It’s possible he could end up throwing in one of the split squad games on Sunday.
–Loek Van Mil had another MRI on his right shoulder but Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said he hadn’t heard the results of that yet.
— I had a nice visit with Dmitri Young, who was at the game on Saturday with his 12-year-old son, Owen, to watch Delmon. Dmitri said he is officially done playing and was happy to get to take in a ballgame as a fan as Owen was a batboy for the Twins.
But rather than stay in the stands, Dmtiri tried out a different angle to watch the game. He sat between Star Tribune writer, Joe Christensen, and me up in the press box. It was entertaining to listen to Dmitri’s thoughts on the game although Joe had to kindly inform him early on that there is no cheering in the pressbox. Dmitri was in great spirits and after what was tough year for the entire Young family following the passing of the boys’ mother, Bonnie Young, it was heart warming to see them all enjoying the day together.
Kelly's Corner 