Saturday, April 30, 2011

Friday Night Minor League Notes

A couple of weeks ago, LaVelle E. Neal posted a blog that mentioned that there was a good chance that minor league outfielder Angel Morales, infielder Estarlin de Los Santos and pitcher Miguel Munoz are having elbow problems and might have to have Tommy John surgery at some point. That point has still not come as each will continue to try to rehab in an attempt to avoid surgery. We know the timeline for return for a pitching coming back from Tommy John surgery is anywhere from 12-24 months, but there are fewer position plays who have had it done, and the timeline is quicker. Former Twin Matt Macri had Tommy John surgery in college. Shin-Soo Choo had the procedure done while he was in the minor leagues. Just a week ago, 2010 draft pick, pitcher Dallas Gallant went under the knife and had Tommy John surgery. He has already begun his rehab and says it is going well so far.

Oswaldo Arcia has had to has been the Beloit Snappers DH since the season started because he has both a sore elbow and shoulder. It hasn’t hurt his bat, but he is a very solid outfielder so hopefully he can return to playing defense soon.

Tom Stuifbergen is throwing pain-free again and will come off of the Miracle’s Disabled List on Monday. He was experiencing some shoulder tendonitis. It is likely that when he is activated, LHP Ryan Mullins will go on the DL, also with shoulder tendonitis. Tony Davis began the season on the Disabled List with some elbow pain, but he took is about to start appearing in some Extended Spring Training games, and could return to the Miracle by the middle of the month. Pat Dean has begun to make some starts for the Twins Extended Spring Training team and try to build up his arm strength before moving to a full-season team. Matt Bashore (Tommy John surgery a year ago) and Ben Tootle (Shoulder surgery a year ago) are trying to build up arm strength. It will still be time before they pitch in an Extended Spring game.

Earlier this week, the Yankees commented that they believe that Phil Hughes may be experiencing Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. That is the injury that cost Twins Australian minor league pitcher Brad Tippett most of his 2010 season. Tippett remains in Extended Spring Training now, trying to build back his arm strength.

In case you missed it on Monday night, David Bromberg has a broken ulna after he protected his face with his forearm in a game that night. He is expected to miss four weeks. I still am not certain who will replace him in the Rock Cats rotation.

That’s enough for today… what other questions about the Twins minor league system do you have? Feel free to ask.

Minor League Report

Friday SethSpeaks.net Minor League Hitter of the DayKyle Knudson, Beloit Snappers 

Friday SethSpeaks.net Minor League Pitcher of the DaySteve Hirschfeld, New Britain Rock Cats

Red Wings Ramblings

Friday – Red Wings 2, Buffalo 3 – Through Monday, Ben Revere was hitting .203/.239/.234. Since then, he is 9-11 and his now hitting .282/.325/.308. In this game, he went 3-4 and stole his sixth base. Yorman Bazardo started and gave up two runs on four hits and a walk in three innings. Chuck James then came in and threw three shutout innings, striking out three. Anthony Slama gave up one run on two hits and two walks in two innings. Kyle Waldrop struck out two in a perfect ninth.   

Rock Cats Report

Friday – Rock Cats 1, New Hampshire 4 (12) – Steve Hirschfeld had another strong start. The right-hander gave up just one run on four hits. In seven innings, he walked one and struck out seven. Mike Tarsi went 1.1 innings and gave up no runs despite two hits and two walks. Spencer Steedley threw 2.2 shutout innings. Tyler Robertson gave up three unearned runs on two hits and a walk in the 12th inning. The Rock Cats managed just six hits in this game. Yangervis Solarte and Deibinson Romero each hit a double.

Miracle Matters

Friday – Miracle 4, Palm Beach 3 – Dan Osterbrock appears to be back. The lefty gave up one run on five hits in five innings. He walked two and struck out four. Matt Tone gave up one run on two walks in 1.2 innings. Jhon Garcia then gave up one run on two hits in 1.1 innings. Dakota Watts recorded his fifth save by striking out two in a scoreless inning. James Beresford is now hitting .340 after a 3-4 game. Reggie Williams and Steve Liddle were each 2-4.  

Snappers Bites

Friday – Snappers 7, Peoria 2 – Adrian Salcedo posted another solid start and the Snappers got enough runs for a win. Salcedo gave up two runs (1 earned) on seven hits in 6.2 innings. He walked one and struck out four. Ryan O’Rourke got the next four outs. Matt Hauser struck out two in a scoreless inning. Kyle Knudson went 2-4 with his first double, first home run and three RBI. Michael Gonzalez went 2-4. Danny Ortiz drilled his fourth home run and drove in two runs.  

Feel free to leave your thoughts, questions or comments.

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