Minnesota Twins: Possible Options to Replace Trevor May
Pitcher for the Minnesota Twins, Trevor May, has been diagnosed with a torn ligament in his right arm. Who’s in a position to take the No. 5 spot in the rotation?
Whether it takes 7 or 12 months, May will miss the entire season for the Minnesota Twins. He was competing for the No. 5 spot in the rotation and having a good spring thus far.
In 4 innings of work recently, May allowed just two hits and one earned run while walking two and striking out three.
In case you missed the story about the injury, Minnesota Twins doctors have diagnosed Trevor May with a torn ulnar collateral ligament. According to the Star Tribune, May will seek a second opinion.
"The Twins will sit down with May and his reps after the second opinion to determine a treatment plan, whether it is Tommy John surgery, rehabilitation or even new techniques that are designed to avoid the 12 to 18 month recovery from reconstructive surgery. One technique, called “primary repair” has allowed reliever Seth Maness to be on track to return to action in 71/2 months."
With May out, the door opens up for the other pitchers competing for the No. 5 spot. Jose Berrios, Adalberto Mejia, Tyler Duffey and Rule-5 draft pick Justin Haley.
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So the question is, who is the front-runner for the final spot in the rotation?
Haley hasn’t particularly stood out while getting plenty of looks. In 6 2-3 innings, he has allowed seven hits, three earned runs while walking two, and striking out six. Haley, he seems destined to pitch in the bullpen.
Duffey, like Haley, hasn’t pitched well this spring. He has allowed ten hits and five earned runs in 6 2-3 innings.
Certainly, these aren’t the kind of numbers you want while trying to make the team.
Some have suggested Duffey be the Twins long relief man out of the bullpen. He serves better as organizational depth and should start the season in the triple-A rotation.
The Twins ought to give the No. 5 to either Berrios or Mejia.
Both are plenty deserving as the two pitchers have each allowed one earned run. However, Berrios has a slight edge over Mejia.
Berrios has worked hard on his control, more specifically the command of his fastball. According to the Pioneer Press, Berrios said he felt his control improving in his spring bullpen sessions.
Berrios has nothing to prove in the minors. He has yet to master his craft at the major league level.
Mejia, on the other hand, struggled a bit last season in Triple-A.
In other words, the time is now for Berrios to step up and earn the No. 5 spot because the opportunity is his to lose.