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The Twins left spring training with no set closer and bullpen roles fluid as they waited to see who would step up and earn late-inning opportunities, but even manager Derek Shelton couldn’t have predicted that it would play out quite like this.
On Sunday, Travis Adams needed just one pitch to become the 11th different reliever to record a save. The previous team record was nine, accomplished by three previous Twins teams.
“It’s crazy,” Shelton said. “We just mix and match throughout the group and sometimes it’s the last man standing that gets it. I think the biggest credit is to our group. They’re extremely resilient and they’re ready to pitch all the time.”
No pitcher has recorded more than two saves and just one of the three pitchers — Taylor Rogers, Justin Topa, Luis García — who has two is still on the roster. Topa and García both were recently designated for assignment.
At one point during the season during an April series against the Detroit Tigers, the Twins had four different pitchers record a save in consecutive games. With Adams becoming the latest to save a game, the Twins only have two pitchers in the bullpen who have yet to do so: Simeon Woods Richardson, who was recently removed from the rotation, and rookie Kendry Rojas, a converted starter who has only pitched in multi-inning efforts.
“I would not have guessed that we would have 11 guys with saves at this point. Our roles in the bullpen are still extremely fluid,” Shelton said. “That’s just kind of the way it is. I don’t have an answer for it. It’s an interesting mix.”
Byron Buxton was back in the Twins’ lineup on Monday after a day off on Sunday. He was not, however, back in the Twins’ outfield. Buxton has gone out to center just once after returning from hip flexor soreness, which sidelined him for five games earlier this month. He’s DHed four times.
“We’re 50 games into the season and no player feels great,” Shelton said. “It’s probably a combination of preventative and then just me making the decision of what I feel is best for our team.”
The Twins welcomed back Tristan Gray ahead of Monday’s game after a three-day stint on the paternity list. Gray and his wife, Madelyn, welcomed their second child, a baby boy whom they named Walker, on Thursday.
To make room on the roster, the Twins optioned prospect Gabriel Gonzalez, who they had called up days earlier when Gray departed. Gonzalez played in one game while in the majors, walking twice, collecting his first major league hit and scoring a run against Boston.
The Twins will send Joe Ryan (3-3, 3.02 ERA) to the mound on Tuesday in a game set to begin at 6:40 p.m. He will be opposed by Sean Burke (2-3, 4.08 ERA). … Third baseman Royce Lewis has hit four home runs in as many games since being optioned to Triple-A last week.
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On Sunday, Travis Adams needed just one pitch to become the 11th different reliever to record a save. The previous team record was nine, accomplished by three previous Twins teams.
“It’s crazy,” Shelton said. “We just mix and match throughout the group and sometimes it’s the last man standing that gets it. I think the biggest credit is to our group. They’re extremely resilient and they’re ready to pitch all the time.”
No pitcher has recorded more than two saves and just one of the three pitchers — Taylor Rogers, Justin Topa, Luis García — who has two is still on the roster. Topa and García both were recently designated for assignment.
At one point during the season during an April series against the Detroit Tigers, the Twins had four different pitchers record a save in consecutive games. With Adams becoming the latest to save a game, the Twins only have two pitchers in the bullpen who have yet to do so: Simeon Woods Richardson, who was recently removed from the rotation, and rookie Kendry Rojas, a converted starter who has only pitched in multi-inning efforts.
“I would not have guessed that we would have 11 guys with saves at this point. Our roles in the bullpen are still extremely fluid,” Shelton said. “That’s just kind of the way it is. I don’t have an answer for it. It’s an interesting mix.”
Buxton DHing
Byron Buxton was back in the Twins’ lineup on Monday after a day off on Sunday. He was not, however, back in the Twins’ outfield. Buxton has gone out to center just once after returning from hip flexor soreness, which sidelined him for five games earlier this month. He’s DHed four times.
“We’re 50 games into the season and no player feels great,” Shelton said. “It’s probably a combination of preventative and then just me making the decision of what I feel is best for our team.”
Gray returns
The Twins welcomed back Tristan Gray ahead of Monday’s game after a three-day stint on the paternity list. Gray and his wife, Madelyn, welcomed their second child, a baby boy whom they named Walker, on Thursday.
To make room on the roster, the Twins optioned prospect Gabriel Gonzalez, who they had called up days earlier when Gray departed. Gonzalez played in one game while in the majors, walking twice, collecting his first major league hit and scoring a run against Boston.
Briefly
The Twins will send Joe Ryan (3-3, 3.02 ERA) to the mound on Tuesday in a game set to begin at 6:40 p.m. He will be opposed by Sean Burke (2-3, 4.08 ERA). … Third baseman Royce Lewis has hit four home runs in as many games since being optioned to Triple-A last week.
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