The past can help predict the future, so it will be interesting to see if Torii Hunter's history comes into play as the league decides if the Twins outfielder should be suspended following his outburst Wednesday.
Twins notes: Torii Hunter's outburst has precedent from 2010
June 12, 2015 at 3:18AM
Hunter was ejected in the eighth inning of a 7-2 loss to Kansas City for arguing balls and strikes with home plate umpire Mark Ripperger. A furious Hunter had to be separated from Ripperger by crew chief Jeff Kellogg. Replays suggested the strike-three pitch Hunter questioned was a ball.
Hunter was involved in a similar incident on Aug. 6, 2010, in Detroit. Hunter, then with the Angels, objected to home plate umpire Ron Kulpa's strike-three call, began to argue and was ejected. An angry Hunter also tossed a bag of baseballs onto the field as part of his protest. He was suspended four games, and served the time without an appeal.
The league usually takes two to three business days to rule on punishments, so a decision could come as soon as Friday.
It's not the first time teams have questioned Ripperger's strike zone, either. Then-Brewers manager Ron Roenicke complained about Ripperger following a game last Aug. 27.
Pinto has concussion
Class AAA Rochester catcher Josmil Pinto has been placed on the seven-day disabled list because of concussion symptoms.
"He came in [Wednesday] and just said he was having headaches," said Brad Steil, Twins director of minor league operations. "He could not pinpoint when it happened. We got him in to see the doctor and all of that. He said he had been like that for a couple days."
On March 21 while with the Twins in spring training, Pinto suffered a concussion when he was hit three times in the head with a bat on the backswing of the Orioles' Adam Jones. Pinto couldn't recover in time to make the team.
"He'll be on the DL until he's healthy and ready to go," Steil said.
After a fast start, Pinto is down to a .232 average, six home runs and 24 RBI in 49 games. He's batting .102 over his past 15 games.
Vargas adjusts
Kennys Vargas spent extra time in the batting cage before Wednesday's game, looking to hit more fastballs.
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Vargas said there's a big difference in pitching between Rochester and the majors. At Rochester, he saw few fastballs and felt his timing on them needed some work.
"Everything off-speed," Vargas said. "Sometimes I see one fastball every two at-bats."
On Wednesday, Vargas had two singles in four at-bats. The sputtering Twins offense needs a boost, and Vargas becoming a threat again could help.
It's a boy!
Twins outfielder Eddie Rosario and his wife, Milany, are the proud parents of a baby boy. Lucas Rosario checked in at 8 pounds and 21 inches. It's the couple's third child.
Rosario is expected to be in uniform Friday when the Twins play the Rangers.
A former second-round pick of the Rangers, Alex Speas has pitched in four major league games.
