Written by This is what happens when you’re sick and you sleep during the game and then wake up to take more drugs so you can go back to sleep. You decide to check Twitter and… wow…
Danny Valencia
Danny Valencia has been struggling badly at the plate, with his batting average falling below the Mendoza line, and now he’s been optioned to Rochester.
Matt Maloney, along with his 9.00 ERA has been designated for assignment.
[Edit] Also in the ‘making a change’ category is Francisco Liriano who has been moved to the bullpen. As far as changes go, it was either this or the minors so I hope this works for him.
On their way up to the Twins from Rochester are outfielder Darin Mastroianni and pitcher P. J. Walters.
Mastoianni started the season in New Britain before moving up to Rochester after 9 games. In 20 games with the Red Wings, Mastroianni accumulated a .346/.393/.423 slash line with 2 doubles, 2 triples and 10 stolen bases.
Walters has a 3-1 record after six starts for Rochester, with a 2.70 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. He has struck out 25 hitters and walked only 6. Walters’ arrival means Francisco Liriano will be moving to the Twins bullpen, as the team announced Walters will be starting Saturday’s game with the Blue Jays.
With an infielder going to Rochester and being replaced on the roster by an outfielder, it does make one wonder what roles other existing roster members are going to be playing. Dan Gladden mentioned during the Wednesday night game broadcast that Alexi Casilla was taking ground balls at 3B, so we might assume he’ll be manning the hot corner, though Ron Gardenhire told reporters that Casilla, Plouffe and Carroll would all split time at 3B.
I hope Valencia finds his stroke in Rochester and can make his way back up before the season is over and I certainly hope Liriano finds whatever it is that he’s been missing.
- JC
I liked what I saw from Mastroianni in Spring Training but I don’t really think he’s “ready” to be a big leaguer for all that. I think he’s more likely to be a bench option that will take the place of one of our current infielders all platooning if someone gets injured. Not sure how long he’ll stay that way or even up here but if it’s a taste of experience that doesn’t go badly, I do think we’ll be seeing more of him eventually.
As for Walters? yeah, I don’t really get that move at all.. he’s going to get slammed by big league hitters.. but then again, so is everyone else but Diamond these days.. guess it doesn’t hurt too much to try.
Moving Liriano to the bullpen is the last act of a desperate organization with regard to him. He needs to do something to provide some value. I don’t know whether Mastoianni and Walters will do well or not, but Valencia and Liriano clearly were NOT performing well, so you reach down to Rochester and give a couple of guys who have been working hard and doing good work a chance to earn a Big League paycheck for a while. It’s encouraging to find out that Terry Ryan has noticed that the roster he’s assembled sucks.