Twins have one roster decision left to make for Opening Day: a bullpen spot
FORT MYERS, Fla. —The Twins finalized their position-player group on Monday, optioning Austin Martin to Triple-A and notifying those who had made the team, like Mickey Gasper and DaShawn Keirsey Jr., to pack their bags for St. Louis.
So now, with one day left in camp, there’s just one question remaining: What will come of the eighth bullpen spot?
They have notified both Scott Blewett and Anthony Misiewicz, the only two non-roster invites remaining in big league camp, that they have not made the Opening Day roster. Rule 5 selection Eiberson Castellano, who had the best chance of all to win the spot because of his status, was informed on Sunday that he would not be coming north with the Twins.
With Brock Stewart and Michael Tonkin both set to begin the year on the injured list, the Twins have one opening for a reliever to join Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax, Cole Sands, Danny Coulombe, Louie Varland, Jorge Alcala and Justin Topa in the bullpen.
Most of the remaining pitchers 40-man roster who have already been optioned are starters, except for Kody Funderburk, a left-hander whom the Twins could opt to bring back. They could also bring back someone who is not on the 40-man roster. Another option is claiming a pitcher on waivers who had been recently cut by another team.
Stewart, who is building back from shoulder surgery, sounded hopeful that he could be back by the second weekend of April and if that’s the case, it’s possible that the Twins will only need an extra reliever for a short period of time.
Ober makes final spring start
The velocity readings still may not be where Bailey Ober wants them to be but the starter feels that he’s getting closer to working out the kinks in his delivery that have been affecting him of late.
“I felt really good throughout the week so I’m glad that I’m making progress on that side,” Ober said. “Now, it’s just trying to get them to game speed and get everything timed up with how fast it moves during the game. … We’re getting there. We saw progress during the week so just got to keep on working and it’ll show up.
Ober had a deload on Monday, throwing just 43 pitches across 3 1/3 innings in anticipation of his first start of the season, which should come Sunday in St. Louis. He gave up a run and struck out two in the outing against the Pittsburgh Pirates, whom the Twins beat 5-1 at Hammond Stadium.
“He looks like the guy that we know. He’s pitching really well and effectively,” manager Rocco Baldelli said. ““He’s just a very successful, good pitcher. Those things carry forward no matter if his mechanics are perfectly in line or not.”
Briefly
The Twins will wrap up spring training on Tuesday, taking on the Colorado Rockies at Hammond Stadium before leaving for St. Louis. The Rockies, who play in the Cactus League, will be in town because they open their season against the Tampa Bay Rays. … Edouard Julien hit an opposite-field three-run home run on Monday, his second of the spring. … Coulombe, Varland, Alcala, Sands, Jax and Duran each turned in scoreless outings in Monday’s win.
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