Sunday was a tough day for the Minnesota Twins, as the team coughed up a six-run lead to the Houston Astros, losing not only a winnable game but dropping its second series of the season.
Things didn’t get much better a day later.
The Athletic’s Dan Hayes was the bearer of bad news on Monday, reporting that the Twins had purchased the contract of Scott Blewett. That’s not the bad news, rather it’s the move the team made to make room; journeyman reliever and feel good story Darren McCaughan was designated for assignment as a result of adding Blewett to the 40-man roster.
It’s a tough way for McCaughan’s story to end in Minnesota, although there’s no guarantee he won’t make it through waivers and end up back in the system.
Twins prove that we can have nice things after DFA‘ing Darren McCaughan
His time with the Twins was short, but McCaughan made it a memorable one. His last appearance saw him give up a run and he hits waivers with a 1.69 ERA that might intrigue someone looking for some bullpen depth. There’s an arguement to be made that the Twins should be that team, but it seems the way Rocco Baldelli has needed to burn through reliever early in the season motivated tha change.
Minnesota used seven pitchers in Sunday’s loss to the Astros, one that saw the team fumble away a six-run lead. It was a truly embarassing performance, but for the most part the bulk of the bullpen work went well. It wasn’t until Griffin Jax uncharacteristically blew a save that the Astros fully wrestled the momentum away, and it’s hard to blame McCaughan for the run he allowed given the mess he inherited from Chris Paddack.
Twins starters barely being able to get through four innings of work is a massive problem, and it’s put pressure on guys like McCaughan to work more than they otherwise might. He made the roster after a similar thing happened to Randy Dobnak, who was called upon to pitch a ton of innings due to a rough start by Bailey Ober.
Blewett returns to the Twins roster after having joined the team late last season, and brings with him a 21.3 percent strikeout rate and 11.5 percent walk rate that leaves a lot to be desired.
All of this speaks to the larger issue of Minnesota being unable to get quality starts, which is becoming worrisome. The rotation already feels like its stitched together and struggles b Paddack that seem potentially fatal only add more stress.
Rocco defended the bullpen after Sunday’s loss, and Twins fans will always have the memory of McCaughan striking out Jose Altuve to remember him by. Perhaps he’ll be back, but while we wipe away a tear for a fallen fan favorite, the gentle hum of anxiety about the state of unrest in the rotation is starting to grow too loud to ignore.
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