The Twins made a handful of strikes earlier than tonight’s video games in opposition to the Marlins. Minnesota designated left-hander Cole Irvin for project, optioned southpaw Brent Headrick and positioned outfielder Matt Wallner on the 10-day injured checklist as a consequence of a left indirect pressure. They’re changed on the lively roster by Justin Topa, Jorge Alcala and Austin Martin. Minnesota recalled Alcala and Martin from Triple-A St. Paul whereas activating Topa from the 60-day injured checklist.
Minnesota introduced Irvin in on a waiver declare from the Orioles final week. The 30-year-old southpaw made 4 appearances out of Rocco Baldelli’s bullpen. He allowed 5 runs throughout 3 2/3 innings with 4 walks and solely two strikeouts. Irvin made it by means of a scoreless inning yesterday in opposition to Miami however wanted to work round a pair of free passes.
This has been a usually powerful season for Irvin, whom the O’s had DFA twice as nicely. He bounced between Baltimore’s rotation and lengthy aid work, combining for a 4.86 ERA throughout 107 1/3 innings. Irvin had been a sturdy supply of roughly league common innings for the A’s between 2021-22, however he allowed 4.68 earned runs per 9 over a season and a half in Baltimore.
The Twins will put Irvin on waivers within the subsequent few days. He’ll nearly actually clear and would seemingly elect free company at that time. Minnesota acquired Irvin after the calendar flipped to September. Even when they make the postseason — which now seems to be to be an extended shot as they’ve fallen two video games again of the Royals and Tigers with 5 to play — Irvin would have been ineligible to take part. It’s potential he’ll must take a minor league deal this offseason.
Topa, 33, steps proper into must-win video games for his workforce debut. The Twins acquired him from the Mariners as a part of the Jorge Polanco deal. They little question envisioned him as a high-leverage bullpen piece after he’d thrown 69 innings of two.61 ERA ball in a breakout yr for Seattle. A prolonged damage historical past had prevented Topa from rising till his age-32 marketing campaign, although, and that sadly resurfaced together with his new group.
The fitting-hander suffered a left knee damage in Spring Coaching and was finally identified with {a partially} torn patellar tendon. A rehab stint in July proved unsuccessful. Topa started a brand new rehab stint final week, pitching two innings in as many Triple-A appearances. With the minor league season completed and time working low for the MLB membership, he’ll head to Goal Area.
Minnesota’s bullpen has performed a task of their second half collapse. Solely the Purple Sox have the next bullpen ERA for the reason that All-Star Break. They haven’t blown many leads however have had a tricky time conserving video games from getting out of hand. Baldelli is likely to be reluctant to plug Topa into leverage spots after a six-month layoff. He’ll not less than be a high-upside choice within the center innings.
The Twins might want to mount their playoff push with out one in all their extra productive offensive gamers. Wallner is hitting .259/.372/.523 with 13 homers throughout 261 plate appearances. He’s performed for the remainder of the common season and would miss not less than the Wild Card sequence if the Twins qualify. Indirect strains normally price a participant a number of weeks, so there’s an excellent probability his season is over.
Max Kepler advised reporters yesterday that he additionally gained’t make it again in the course of the common season (hyperlink through Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune). Kepler has missed most of September with a left knee damage. The Twins are going with an outfield of Willi Castro, Byron Buxton and Trevor Larnach tonight in opposition to Miami righty Edward Cabrera.
