Here are updates on two key Twins players’ rehab assignments with Triple-A St. Paul.
Bailey Ober has another good start for the Saints
After a solid outing with Triple-A St. Paul on July 18, where he allowed four hits in four scoreless innings with three strikeouts on 50 pitches, Ober had another good start on the mound last Friday. Ober, who has been sidelined from major league action since June 28 with a left hip impingement, surrendered one earned run on two hits and one walk with six strikeouts in five innings of work.
A big concern for Ober lately has been his decrease in velocity, but he put all worries aside with his recent outings for the Saints. Ober averaged 90.5 mph and topped 91.6 mph in his last outing, and was around the same marks during his previous start.
David Festa’s injury gives Ober clear path back to rotation
Since Festa is now injured, Ober has a clear path back to the major league rotation. There is an open spot in the rotation on Sunday, but Ober will be unavailable since he pitched on Friday. Travis Adams will likely be the main inning eater on Sunday, and Ober will likely take his spot next time around. Once Ober returns, expect either Adams or Kody Funderburk to lose their 26-man roster spot.
Luke Keaschall continuing to play in Triple-A
After going 3-for-12 in the first series of his rehab assignment last weekend, Keaschall has gone 2-for-10 with one walk in his last three games. With Brooks Lee’s recent struggles, the Twins will likely count on Keaschall to play every day once he returns from the injured list and could demote Lee to Triple-A for the time being.
Twins aiming to win series against Washington Nationals
After winning Game 1 of the three-game set 1-0, the Twins will play Game 2 of the series against the Nationals at 6:10 p.m. CT on Saturday at Target Field in Minneapolis. The probable starting pitchers are Twins’ righty Joe Ryan and Nationals’ lefty Mitchell Parker.