The Twins have a new pitcher in the clubhouse. It's lefty Adalberto Mejia, whom they received for Eduardo Nunez on July 28.
Adalberto Mejia called up to give the staff a fresh arm
The Twins have lost the first two games of this four-game series against the Royals and now have a new pitcher in the clubhouse. It's lefty Adalberto Mejia, whom they received for Eduardo Nunez on July 31.
August 21, 2016 at 12:31AM
The corresponding move has not been announced yet. Once Mejia enters a game, he will be the 27th pitcher the Twins will have used in a game, adding on to a club record. Mejia was 1-2 with a 4.66 ERA for Class AAA Rochester before being summoned here to help prop up a fatigued pitching staff.
In 19,1 innings at Rochester, Mejia walked just three batters and struck out 20.
Just a few players are in the clubhouse right now. The club didn't leave the park last night until 3 a.m., so pre-game detail today is being backed off. The second bus leaves the hotel at 4 p.m., which means they are going to come to the park, dress, stretch, hit in the cages then play a baseball game. Looks like about half the team will be on the second bus.
Maybe that will change their fortunes. The Twins hare 0-5 here so far in 2016.
Not sure yet which relievers will be available tonight after everyone except closer Brandon Kintzler was used on Friday. The Twins could use a long outing from lefty Hector Santiago, who is on the mound tonight looking for his first win with the Twins.
``Go Hector," Twins manager Paul Molitor said at 2:30 a.m. last night.
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Mejia is here as an emergency arm tonight, then the Twins will figure out what to do with him in the next few days. A start is not out of the possibility, but Molitor said there's an innings limit on Mejia.
Mejia threw 106.2 innings in 2012, 92 in 2013, 108 in 2014, 100.2 in 2015 and is at 125 this season. Molitor said the Twins want to cap his innings around the 150 mark this year, so his usage will be watched.
He throws in the 92-93 mph range, but Twins scouts have seen him touch 95. Mejia said his change up is his big out pitch.
Kennys Vargas was optioned to Rochester to make room for Mejia. Vargas batted .259 with six homers and 13 RBI in 25 games, as his numbers dipped after a torrid start. He did show progress with plate discipline. I feel he needs to move to another organization to get playing time. With Byung Ho Park signed for three more years and players in Miguel Sano and Joe Mauer who will need DH days, this is not the right fit for Vargas.
And, yes, Vargas could develop into a 30-plus home run hitter in the right situation.
Mejia was scheduled to pitch tonight for Rochester. Omar Bencomo has been called up from Chattanooga to fill in tonight. Former major leagued Edward Mujica has been signed to join the pitching staff at Rochester.
Twins
Brian Dozier, 2B
Jorge Polanco, SS
Joe Mauer, DH
Trevor Plouffe, 1B
Eddie Rosario, CF
Eduardo Escobar, 3B
Robbie Grossman, LF
Kurt Suzuki, C
Danny Santana, RF
Hector Santiago, LHP
Royals
Paulo Orlando, CF
Cheslor Cuthbert, 3B
Lorenzo Cain, RF
Eric Hosmer, 1B
Kendrys Morales, DH
Salvador Perez, C
Alex Gordon, LF
Alcides Escobar, SS
Christian Colon, 2B
Ian Kennedy, RHP
Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson, the brash speedster who shattered stolen base records and redefined baseball's leadoff position, has died. He was 65.
