Latest Minnesota Twins Spring Training roster cuts include two former starters
The Twins cut down their roster even further re-assigning two former starters.
We're into the home stretch of Spring Training, and Opening Day can't get here soon enough for the Minnesota Twins.
Actually, based on how brutal th news cycle was on Monday, the Twins would probably prefer there was a little more time before the season started. Byron Buxton was scratched from the lineup ahead with back tightness and that somehow wasn't the biggest bummer of the afternoon.
While Buxton's injury is being deemed 'minor', the same can't be said for Anthony DeSclafani. He's among four Twins pitchers who will start the season on the IL, and it could end up that he needs surgery before even making his official debut with the team.
Jhoan Duran, Caleb Thielbar, and Matt Canterino will also start the season on the IL, although only two of them project to be on the 26-man roster. As if the injury news wasn't enough, the Twins made their latest round of roster cuts, which included two former starters and guys who were hoping to maybe sneak into the mix.
Twins announce fourth round of Spring Training roster cuts
On Monday the Twins made their fourth round of Spring Training roster cuts, removing Jose Miranda and Trevor Larnach from camp and optioning them to Triple-A. Jordan Balazovic was the third player removed from the roster.
- Jose Miranda, 3B
- Trevor Larnach, OF
- Jordan Balazovic, P
Balazovic was removed from the 40-man roster last month to make room for Carlos Santana, but this move doesn't mean his time with the Twins is over. He was re-assigned to minor league camp, where his future remains up-in-the-air.
If his recent outing was any indication, he might be out of opportunities to prove himself.
Jordan Balazovic's day is done after getting four outs. Ugly stuff. No strikeouts, gave up three loud hits and walked two, with the latter coming on a pitch clock violation on three-ball count. Leaves bases loaded for RHP Matt Bowman
— Nick Nelson (@NickNelsonMN) March 15, 2024
As for Miranda and Larnach, they'll begin the season in St. Paul at Triple-A. It's not a total surprise that either player was optioned, but there was some hope that Miranda had put together enough of a case to warrant a conversation about his MLB status heading into the season.
The 26-man roster is pretty much locked in, although the pitching situation needs to be sorted out in wake of the latest injuries. Miranda was a fring candidate at best, but he seemed to turn a corner in Fort Myers that suggests we could see him back in the majors at some point this year.
Minnesota needs some infield depth on the corners, and Miranda slashed an encouraging .320/.393/.753 this spring. He was bogged down by injuries and poor performance last year, slumping offensively and becoming a defensive liability. He could slot in as a DH option and platoon depth at first and third, but we'll have to wait until later in the season for that.
In the meantime, he can keep homing his skills with the Saints and shaking off whatever weighed him down last season.
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