MINNEAPOLIS – More change is coming to the Twins’ seemingly constantly evolving starting rotation.
After rolling out the same five starters over the season’s first 23 games, the past four weeks have seen extensive turnover among Minnesota’s starters. First, Mick Abel hit the injured list, then Taj Bradley. Now Bradley is nearing a return, and Simeon Woods Richardson’s rotation spot is in question, while Zebby Matthews gets another look.
Kendry Rojas will start Monday’s game against the Astros, on what would have been Woods Richardson’s start day. Manager Derek Shelton has declined to provide further detail on how Woods Richardson will be used, but he remains on the roster. He would presumably be available to pitch after Rojas.
Rojas, the team’s No. 10 prospect, is a starter by trade but has not pitched more than 3 1/3 innings in any game this year. He may not be used strictly as an opener, but he’s unlikely to pitch into the second half of the game.
Bradley, recovering from right pec muscle inflammation, made a rehabilitation start at Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday afternoon. He pitched 1 2/3 innings, allowing a run on two hits with three strikeouts and two walks, and was lifted because the club did not want him to throw too many pitches in a single inning. He finished with 42 total pitches, then went into the bullpen to get some more work.
“He’s healthy,” Shelton said. “He's fine. He went down and finished in the bullpen. We wanted him to get to 65-70 [pitches]. He got to 65 in the bullpen. But we also have limits on guys. He threw 35 pitches [in the second inning]. … We're not going to extend a guy on rehab like that. But the biggest indicator, as we've always talked about, is how he comes in and feels [Monday], and then we can gauge from there. But he was able to get more work in after that outing.”
The club has declined to say whether it might be a one-and-done for Bradley, but given that he’s been out for less than two weeks, it seems reasonable to think he might not need too many starts to get back into fighting shape.
Woods Richardson is in a deep slump -- but additional detail regarding his role and usage is not yet being provided by the Twins, who have used an opener for the right-hander before.
“I think we'll address that as we go forward,” Shelton said when asked about Woods Richardson’s role on the pitching staff.
Complicating Woods Richardson’s situation is Matthews, who turned in one of the best starts of his career on Thursday. Officially, he was called up from Triple-A for that start to buy some extra rest for rookie Connor Prielipp. However, he’s getting another start Tuesday against the Astros, and with Bradley returning, it appears the team will have a decision to make soon.
Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober and, once he returns, Bradley, are set, leaving two spots. Prielipp and Matthews have outperformed Woods Richardson since their additions to the roster. Woods Richardson does not have Minor League options left, which means he can’t be sent down without exposing him to waivers, so a move to the bullpen is more likely than an attempt to send him to the Minors.
With Bradley pitching Sunday at St. Paul, and an off-day coming up Thursday before the Twins start a three-city trip, that decision can still be put off for a few more days, but it’s getting closer.