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Minnesota Twins Relievers Battle for Limited Spots in Spring Training

By Scott Wessels

Aug 30, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Trevor May (65) pitches to the Houston Astros at Target Field. The Twins win 7-5. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 30, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Trevor May (65) pitches to the Houston Astros at Target Field. The Twins win 7-5. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /

Looking at our pen, we have solidified the four back end arms (Perk, Jepsen, May, & Fien) and our long man, Nolasco. That leaves realistically only two more jobs available. Left in consideration are Graham, Michael Tonkin, Fernando Abad, Alex Meyer, Taylor Rogers, and Ryan Pressly.

I think Graham will go back to the minors, but will get a look once the inevitable injuries start. Rogers performed surprisingly well as a starter last year, and I think it behooves the front office to let him get more innings as a starter in Rochester. Meyer has serious heat (95-97 mph), but needs better control. He’s the wild card in Spring Training. His pitches have the most “action”, his fastball really tails away from right-handed hitters. If he’s near perfect this Spring, he will be coming north because of his velocity and ability to miss bats.

I hope Meyer does put it together, but assuming he doesn’t quite yet, Michael Tonkin, the Rochester closer last year, should make the bullpen. One big chip he has to cash in is that he’s out of options, and with his stats at Rochester last year (1.10 ERA and 46 K’s to just 5 BB), the Twins know he won’t make it through waivers. Last year, he seemed to come up as an injury replacement, with one foot out the door back to the minors whenever the injured pitcher got healthy again. This year, he should get a good look right out of the chute.

Which leaves us with one remaining spot. A look through the bullpen reveals one lefty, Perkins. The lingering possibility of signing an arm late for this role disappeared with Friday’s news that Houston signed Neal Cotts. I can’t see Paul Molitor and Neil Allen wanting to limit their late inning match-up possibilities, so a lefty almost has to be the last arm. I think that’s one reason Taylor Rogers even gets a look this Spring at reliever. And that’s why the final bullpen spot probably goes to Fernando Abad, over a deserving Ryan Pressly.

Next: Minnesota Twins: How to Enjoy the 2016 Season

Graham, Pressly, and Meyer will get some bullpen work at AAA to start but there will always be sore arms, a hip flexor, or a strained oblique, etc that will punch their tickets back to Target Field.

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