Minnesota Twins: Jose Berrios among additions to All-Star Game
The Minnesota Twins added a third player to the All-Star roster, while losing another, with Jose Berrios being added and Jake Odorizzi being moved out.
The Minnesota Twins deserved to have several All-Stars by leading the AL Central by seven games and having the fourth best record in Major League Baseball. Despite the phenomenal season, the team only received two, Jake Odorizzi and Jorge Polanco.
This frustrated both Twins fans and the Twins organization, but as Odorizzi exited the game Tuesday with a blister on his pitching finger and was placed on the injured list, it left one of the best teams in baseball with only one player in the game. Fortunately, when the three replacements were announced, the Twins got one back when Jose Berrios was named to the All-Star roster.
Berrios has had a tremendous year for the Twins, going 8-4 with a 2.89 ERA. HIs numbers were good, but the voting process decided that Houston’s Gerrit Cole was a more suitable pick. Either way, Berrios should have been on the team, but now he makes the roster even under unfortunate circumstances.
In all, three All-Stars were officially pulled out of the All-Star game on Wednesday as Tommy La Stella (fractured right tibia), Hunter Pence (groin injury), and Odorizzi were replaced by Brandon Lowe, Xander Bogaerts, and Berrios. The three new additions bring the count to three All-Stars for Tampa Bay, two for Boston, and now three for the Twins.
With Berrios’ selection, the Twins now have the same numbers of All-Stars as the Indians and White Sox, an absolute disappointment considering the team’s performance. Max Kepler especially should be in the game as well, considering his stat line, but for now Minnesota Twins fans can rest easy knowing another Twin will make the Midsummer Classic.