The Minnesota Twins have just had bad news, bad performances, and injuries fill their season. Logan Morrison is the latest as he is finished for the season.
The Minnesota Twins received another piece of bad injury news on Saturday. Adalberto Mejia had just made his own trip the disabled list with a wrist injury. Now the Twins first baseman and designated hitter Logan Morrison will be joining him as hip surgery will force him to shut it down for the season.
The timing is good for the Twins roster juggling as the Twins did need to open up a roster spot somehow for Sunday’s starter Kohl Stewart. Morrison to the DL does just that. It is quite the fall from the top of the world for Morrison after a great 2017. Also, quite a disappointment for the Twins after they thought they had acquired a steal of a deal when they signed Morrison to his one year, $5.5 million deal with an option for 2019.
Coming off a campaign where Morrison hit .246/.353/.516 and 38 home runs he looked like a great piece to round out a playoff bound roster. Much like the Twins season, Morrison’s season contributions didn’t go as planned as he will finish the season hitting .188/.276/.368 with 15 home runs. It would seem very likely that we have seen Morrison’s last game with the Twins and that the team will spend the rest of 2018 seeing if Morrison’s replacement is on the current roster.
Who fills LoMo’s spot in 2019?
The guy who gets catapulted to the front of the Twins possible first base and designated hitter plans for 2019 is recently acquired Tyler Austin. Austin made his Twins debut against the Detroit Tigers on Saturday as he was the DH and hit fifth in the Twins lineup. Thankfully Austin was in the lineup as he came up with the biggest hit of the day for the Twins with a two-run home run in the fifth inning.
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Austin still either needs to develop a bit as a player or at least have the extended chance to perform. His performance on Saturday brings his season numbers in the majors to .224/.285/.468 with 9 home runs. The Twins desperately need some more right-handed power in their lineup next to a hopefully continually improved Miguel Sano. Austin will get every chance to secure that spot as another righty bopper down the stretch.
Another player that could get a look once September hits and rosters expand is prospect Brent Rooker. Rooker has spent the entire season at Double-A Chattanooga and has a season line of .274/.348/.513, a .861 OPS, 30 doubles, and 21 home runs. Rooker may need to develop a little yet, but he will certainly be in the first base and designated hitter mix for 2019.
It is an unfortunate end to what was once looked like a promising season for the man who is lovingly called LoMo. Hopefully, he will be able to get healthy and come back to playing baseball well in 2019.