Twins right-handed starting pitcher Bailey Ober landed on the IL with a mild right flexor strain in his elbow on May 31 after allowing eight runs (seven earned) to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 4 2/3 innings the day before. The Twins have gone with bullpen games to fill Ober's rotation spot, with right-hander Mike Paredes being the bulk pitcher.
Paredes made his MLB debut against the Pirates at PNC Park on May 31, allowing one earned run in 3 2/3 innings of relief. Since then, he's made three appearances as part of bullpen games. On June 4 against the Kansas City Royals at Target Field, Andrew Morris started and threw two innings before Paredes entered the game and allowed three earned runs on two hits and a walk over 3 2/3 innings.
Paredes has made his following two appearances as a starter, leading the Twins to two victories. On Wednesday against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park, Paredes allowed just one run on one hit, a hit batter and two walks with four strikeouts over three innings as Minnesota defeated Detroit 6-4. Then, the right-hander allowed two runs on four hits, a hit batter and no walks with two strikeouts across 4 2/3 innings as the Twins beat the Texas Rangers 4-2 at Globe Life Field on Monday. Paredes hasn't been lights out since joining the Twins' 26-man roster, but he's played a big part in getting the team two wins.
Will Paredes remain on the Twins' 26-man roster long-term?
Paredes likely isn't a long-term starter, but he may have pitched his way into the Twins' bullpen plans. Once right-hander Mick Abel, who is slated to make his second rehab start on Tuesday, is reinstated from the IL, the Twins will no longer have to count on Paredes to take the lead in bullpen games. However, Minnesota could still use his ability to pitch multiple innings. While Paredes isn't a high-velocity arm with a high strikeout rate, the Twins should prefer to keep him on their roster over struggling right-handers Justin Lawrence and Travis Adams.
Paredes also has a full slate of options, so there's a good chance he will be demoted in favor of a fresh arm at some point this year. Then, when Minnesota needs a fresh arm again, it can just recall Paredes, who has posted a 3.38 ERA with 33 strikeouts and eight walks in nine outings (seven starts) across 34 2/3 innings with Triple-A St. Paul this season.
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