On Tuesday, February 24, the Minnesota Twins split up their roster and played two games. They took on the Baltimore Orioles at Minnesota's home field, Lee Health Sports Complex. The Twins also faced the Tampa Bay Rays at Charlotte Sports Park.
On the heels of a feel-good day Monday, Minnesota lost both games, falling to the Orioles, 10-5, and the Rays, 12-1. Between both games, the Twins used 16 combined pitchers, giving as many guys a chance to throw as possible. Though most didn't pitch well, this feels a tad like a historic day despite the two losses. There were just so many pitching changes. Just as the spring training gods intend.
Let's see who pitched and how they each did.
Minnesota Twins use 16 pitchers in two spring training games vs. Orioles and Rays
Against the Orioles
- Andrew Morris (Loss): 1.1 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
- Sam Ryan: 0.2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
- Taylor Rogers: 1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
- Anthony Banda: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
- Cole Sands: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
- Dan Altavilla: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
- Mike Paredes: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
- Jarret Whorff: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
- Ricky Castro: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
Totals: 9 IP, 14 H, 10 ER, 9 BB, 9 K, 216 pitches, 128 strikes
Key takeaway: This was Dan Altavilla's second-straight scoreless outing. Signed to a minor league contract this winter following a bounce-back season with the White Sox, Altavilla is putting himself in a good position to land a spot on the Opening Day roster.
Against the Rays
- Christian MacLeod (Loss): 1.2 IP, 0 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
- Ivran Romero: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
- Julian Merryweather: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
- Darren Bowen: 1.1 IP, 4 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
- Grant Hartwig: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 1 HBP
- Raul Brito: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
- Andrew Bash: 2 IP, 2 H, 2 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 1 K
Totals: 8 IP, 8 H, 12 R (11 ER), 7 BB, 2 K, 159 pitches, 87 strikes
Key takeaway: After a rough spring debut on Feb. 21, Grant Hartwig needed a quick recovery in his next appearance. On Tuesday, Hartwig plunked a batter and allowed three runs while recording four outs. He now has allowed six runs (five earned) this spring across 2.2 innings, seeing six batters reach base. There are plenty of pitchers battling for a spot within Minnesota's staff, including Hartwig. His first two outings with the Twins has not been kind to him, which puts him in an unfortunate spot if he cannot dig himself out of this early rut.