Tagged: Twins

March 24, 2010

Wednesday tidbits: Mijares and Slowey

By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire wasn’t around to see the start of Wednesday’s game against the Marlins because he and pitching coach Rick Anderson were on the Minor League side of the complex to watch left-hander Jose Mijares pitch.

Mijares was going to throw two innings in a Minor League game but in his second inning of work, he was struck by a line drive in his glove. Gardenhire said it struck Mijares awkwardly in the glove and left him with a bruise on his right hand. The trainers told him afterward that Mijares will be fine.

Delmon Young also took some at-bats down in the Minor League game. Gardenhire said Young got a couple hits and stole a base. He was also thrown out on a base, the skipper said.

Gardenhire didn’t get to see Kevin Slowey pitch due to being on the side of the complex. But Slowey continued his success. He’s now allowed just one run over 16 innings this spring and coming off wrist surgery last season, it’s been a very positive sign for the club.

“You are always concerned after a surgery,” Gardenhire said. “Even after he started his rehab, he had a little swelling, a little soreness at times. They told him he was going to have that. He’s a tough kid and he let it play out. Since we’ve gotten going here, he’s thrown the ball as well as anyone we have in camp. It’s good to see. It means a lot to this rotation.”

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March 24, 2010

Twins vs. Marlins 3/24

By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Twins announced this morning that they’d agreed to terms with left-handed pitcher Ron Mahay on a Minor League contract with an invitation to Major League camp.

This will be the second stint with the Twins for Mahay, 38. He gave up two runs over nine innings (16 innings) with Minnesota late
last season after being designated for assignment by Kansas City in August.

The move appears to be an attempt by the club to add depth to the bullpen due to the loss of closer Joe Nathan. Mahay won’t be an option to close. But if the club should decide to shift other relievers in that role, Mahay could provide another lefty in the ‘pen.

Marlins (11-9)
Emilio Bonifacio, LF
Cameron Maybin, CF
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Jorge Cantu, 3B
John Baker, DH
Dan Uggla, 2B
Ronny Paulino, C
Brett Carroll, RF

Pitching: RHP Anibal Sanchez

Others scheduled to pitch: Leo Nunez, Tim Wood, Burke Badenhop

Twins (10-8)

Jacque Jones, RF

Alexi Casilla, SS
Jason Kubel, LF
Justin Morneau, 1B
Michael Cuddyer, CF
Jim Thomel, DH
Brendan Harris, 3B
Wilson Ramos, C
Matt Tolbert, 2B
Pitching: RHP Kevin Slowey

Others scheduled to pitch: Jose Mijares, Clay Condrey, Jon Rauch, Anthony Slama, Mike Maroth

A reminder you can follow me on Twitter @kellythesier

March 23, 2010

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

March 21, 2010

Twins sign Joe Mauer to a eight-year, $184 million contract

By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Twins have locked up their hometown star for the long-term.

The club has agreed to terms with catcher Joe Mauer on an eight-year, $184 million contract, covering the 2011-2018 seasons. The deal includes a full-no trade clause.

A press conference will be held to announce the deal on Monday night at 7:00 p.m. ET at the Twins Conference Center at the Lee County Sports Complex.

Both Mauer and the Twins have agreed not to comment further on the deal until the press conference on Monday evening.

Mauer, 26, was named the 2009 American League MVP after batting .365 with 28 home runs and 96 RBIs. He is a three-time All-Star and a two-time Gold Glove winner in six seasons with the Twins. The catcher is also one of only 10 players in Major League history to win three-or more batting titles.

A native of St. Paul, Mauer was drafted as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 First-Year Player Draft. He has a career batting average of .327. Since making his Major League in 2004, Mauer ranks third among all Major League players in batting behind Ichiro Suzuki of the Mariners (.335) and Albert Pujols of the Cardinals (.334).

March 21, 2010

Twins vs. Rays 3/21

By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Sorry for the delay in lineups, one of those busy days with the news about Joe Nathan deciding to undergo Tommy John ligament replacement surgery.

There were a few other bits of news this morning. The Twins made four cuts — optioning pitcher Jeff Manship to Triple-A Rochester and reassigning infielders Toby Gardenhire and Chris Parmelee and outfielder Brian Dinkelman to Minor League camp. The club now has 38 players in camp.

Right-hander Nick Blackburn is also scheduled to pitch a couple innings in Minor League game across the complex on Sunday.

Rays (12-5)
Matt Joyce, DH
Carl Crawford, LF
Ben Zobrist, RF

B.J. Upton, CF
Hank Blalock, 1B

Dan Johnson, 3B
Reid Brignac, SS
Elliot Johnson, 2B
Alvin Colina, C

Pitching: RHP Wade Davis

Others scheduled to pitch:Chris Jakubauskas, Javier Lopez, Jack Taschner, Brian Bass, Jean Machi

Twins (8-8)

Denard Span, CF

Orlando Hudson, 2B
Joe Mauer, C
Justin Morneau, 1B
Michael Cuddyer, RF
Jim Thome, DH
Delmon Young, LF
J.J. Hardy, SS
Nick Punto, 3B
Pitching: RHP Scott Baker

Others scheduled to pitch: Jose Mijares, Clay Condrey, Anthony Swarzak, Kyle Waldrop

A reminder you can follow me on Twitter @kellythesier

March 21, 2010

Nathan to undergo Tommy John surgery

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Twins closer Joe Nathan told reporters Sunday morning that he will undergo Tommy John ligament replacement surgery on his right elbow as soon as possible.

Nathan played a game of catch this morning with pitching coach Rick Anderson but felt stiffness in his right elbow.

“It didn’t go like we hoped,” Nathan said. “We knew it was a long shot, but what this did do is clear my head. There was definitely no grey area.”

Nathan was diagnosed with what the Twins called a “significant” tear in his ulnar collateral ligament on March 8, two days after he left a spring exhibition game against the Red Sox with stiffness in the elbow. Nathan held out hope that he could rehab the injury but said after the game of catch that it was not possible.

The pitcher’s intention is to have the surgery done within the next week, although he said he
hasn’t decided exactly when that will be or who will perform the surgery. The estimated recovery time is 12 months and Nathan said he’s looking to be ready for Opening Day 2011.

March 20, 2010

Saturday tidbits: A collision and other updates

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire admitted to being a little shaken up following a scary collision at the plate in the fourth inning of Saturday’s game with the Rays.

For the second time in the game, outfielder Jacque Jones collided with Rays catcher Dioner Navarro at home plate while trying to score on a ball hit to center field. While the two managed to get away unscathed the first time, Navarro wasn’t so lucky in the second attempt.

Navarro was on the ground for quite a long time before being lifted onto a cart and taken off the field with an injury to his left knee. At the time, Navarro looked to be in great pain.

“It just makes you sick to your stomach,” Gardenhire said. “He’s a really good player and a really good kid.I was worried about Jacque too. He had nowhere to go, [with Navarro] blocking the plate and on top of the plate. But it’s just scary to see collisions.”

Navarro turned out to be OK. X-rays on his left knee were negative and he was diagnosed with a nerve contusion — which the Rays said shouldn’t be too worrisome. As for Jones, he said he banged up his left knee on the play but that he was OK as well.

Certainly not what anyone wants to see in a Spring Training contest.

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— A couple of the Twins got some at-bats in Minor League contests on Saturday. J.J. Hardy went 0-for-2 with a walk in a game against the Orioles’ Class AAA Norfolk affiliate while playing four innings at shortstop and Jim Thome went 0-for-3 with an RBI in that game.
Justin Morneau went 3-for-4 in a game against the Orioles’ Class AA Bowie affiliate. The best news was that Gardenhire said all three players came away feeling good
physically

— Still no update on Joe Nathan. He’ll likely play catch on Sunday and when we get word about how it goes, I’ll pass it along.

March 20, 2010

Twins at Rays 3/20

By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — The Twins and Rays are meeting up today for the first of two straight contests with each other this weekend.

J.J. Hardy said his irritated left quad is feeling much better. He is scheduled to play four innings and get at-bats in a Twins Minor League contest at the Lee County Sports Complex this afternoon.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire told reporters yesterday in Port St. Lucie that he doesn’t expect catcher Jose Morales to be ready for Opening Day, no real surprise considering that’s what Morales thought after having wrist surgery in late January. But now the focus will be on whether Wilson Ramos or Drew Butera gets the nod as the backup catcher to Joe Mauer when the club breaks camp.

Also, in Joe Nathan news it didn’t appear that the closer played catch this morning before the team bus left for Port Charlotte. That’s at least what us reporters gathered since we saw him hanging around the clubhouse and no real sign of activity. But we’ll find out later if that’s the case.

Twins (7-8)

Ben Revere, LF

Orlando Hudson, 2B
Delmon Young, DH
Michael Cuddyer, CF
Jacque Jones, RF
Brendan Harris, 1B
Alexi Casilla, SS
Drew Butera, C
Nick Punto, 3B
Pitching: LHP Francisco Liriano

Others scheduled to pitch: Brian Duensing, Jon Rauch, Jesse Crain, Jeff Manship, Anthony Slama

Rays (12-4)
Sean Rodriguez, CF

Dioneer Navarro, C
Gabe Kapler, CF

Willy Aybar, 1B
Justin Ruggiano, RF

Ryan Shealy, DH
Elliot Johnson, 3B
J.J. Furmaniak, LF
Reid Brignac, 2B

Pitching: LHP David Price

Others scheduled to pitch: Grant Balfour, Lance Cormier, Randy Choate, Rafael Soriano

A reminder you can follow me on Twitter @kellythesier

March 20, 2010

Four more cuts at Twins camp

Following Friday’s game against the Mets in Port St. Lucie, the Twins optioned four players to Triple-A Rochester: third baseman Danny Valencia, infielders Luke Hughes and Trevor Plouffe and right-hander Anthony Swarzak.

Those moves were in addition to two cuts made on Thursday. The Twins optioned right-handers Rob Delaney and Alex Burnett to Rochester.

The Twins now have a total of 42 players remaining in camp: 18 pitchers, six catchers, 10 infielders and eight outfielders.

March 18, 2010

Thursday’s tidbits

Here are a few things from manager Ron Gardenhire after Thursday’s 5-4 victory over the Pirates:

— Gardenhire said the team still isn’t sure when
Joe Nathan is going to play catch this weekend, although it likely won’t be in front of any media. In an attempt to give Nathan as much privacy as possible,
Gardenhire said the team is planning to stay mum about the time and location of Nathan’s game of catch. It’s all so that there isn’t a horde of television cameras and
national media there to watch the session.

“We’re going to put up screens and blocks and everything so
(the media) cannot be there,” Gardenhire said. “We just don’t want it
to be a big crazy thing here. Let the guy live in peace and see if he
can throw the ball. If he can’t, and he grimaces in pain and goes to
the ground, I don’t want you to see that. … And if he goes and hugs
and kisses (pitching coach Rick Anderson) because he feels great, we
don’t want you to see that, either.”

— Shortstop J.J. Hardy has not played since Saturday due to an irritated left quadriceps muscle. Manager Ron Gardenhire said that Hardy was feeling better on Thursday and will likely return to game action on Saturday in a Minor League contest. Hardy has been able to do all of his infield drills, and on Thursday he ran the bases on one of the back fields without any problem.

— Nick Punto and Delmon Young got some at-bats in a Minor League contest across the complex this afternoon. It’s something that Gardenhire said will likely happen more frequently in the coming days now that Minor League games have officially begun. Gardenhire watched the two players hit in the contest and said Young got a couple of hits but was most excited about a walk he drew after falling behind in the count 0-2.

— Due to watching Punto and Young, Gardenhire said he missed the first couple innings of the contest against the Pirates. But he said he was able to know something good happened when the horns went off at Hammond Stadium — it was Jim Thome’s first homer as a Twin.

“I still haven’t seen Thome hit a homer,” Gardenhire said. “I’ve seen him hit them against us but never for the Twins.”

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