29 August 2023
In the days before Joe Ryan returned from the injured list on Saturday, the Twins talked about the possibility of going to a six-man rotation. Instead, they opted to piggyback Bailey Ober, whose innings they are carefully monitoring, with Dallas Keuchel, who came on in relief.
Ober, who is well past his previous career high in innings, gave up five runs in four innings before making way for Keuchel, who turned in five scoreless innings after him. Monday, the Twins finally cleared the rotation picture up by optioning Ober to Triple-A in a surprising twist. Left-handed reliever Kody Funderburk will take his roster spot, called up to the major leagues for the first time.
It’s a tough break for Ober, who has been one of the Twins’ most consistent starters this season after beginning the season in Triple-A as the sixth man in a five-man rotation. An injury to Tyler Mahle at the end of April cleared the way for him to return to the major leagues. Since then, he has posted a 3.67 earned-run average in 22 starts.
That number is at 5.63 in the month of August, and lately, the prevailing narrative has been about keeping him healthy and strong as the season nears its final month. The righty now sits at 140 1/3 innings this season between Triple-A and the majors, well past a career high of 108 1/3 innings in 2021.
The piggyback situation the Twins employed on Sunday was in part to cut down on Ober’s workload, though the starter has consistently said that he feels good physically. Now, he’ll get his work in at Triple-A for the time being, and it appears that Keuchel will slot into his spot in the rotation for the time being.
“Working through late-season rotation scenarios and questions, there’s so many different things you can do, directions you can go. You’re just trying to do what makes the most sense for the team, is really all you’re trying to do,” manager Rocco Baldelli said before news of Ober’s option was made public. “We’re just trying to balance so many things to put ourselves in a position for today and for the rest of the season. There’s a lot that goes into it. We spend a lot of time on it. I can’t tell you about Bailey and Keuchel and Joe Ryan coming back and where (Louie) Varland fits in.”
Keuchel, a veteran who was called up when Ryan went on the injured list at the beginning of the month, has a 3.50 earned-run average in 18 innings with the Twins.
While he pitched out of the bullpen on Sunday, he has expressed a clear preference for starting. Sunday was just the third appearance out of the bullpen for the former Cy Young winner in 10 years.
“Would I like to relieve? Not really,” Keuchel said. “At the same time, I want to win. I made that clear with why I wanted to stick in Minnesota. … I just want to be a part of something in whatever way possible.”
As for Funderburk, the 26-year-old southpaw, whom the Twins drafted in the 15th round of the 2018 draft, had a 2.60 ERA in 52 innings for the Saints. He will be the second lefty in the Twins’ bullpen, joining Caleb Thielbar.
Buxton preps for outfield
Byron Buxton has been shagging in the outfield, and when the Twins send him out on a rehab assignment — he is currently on the injured list with a strained hamstring — they plan to get him back into center field. But Buxton, who has served exclusively as a designated hitter this season, is focused solely on taking it one day at a time and not looking too far ahead.
“Me, mentally, I get a little bit more mad when I have a plan and it don’t go the way I look at it,” Buxton said. “Started figuring out it’s best to slow things down and one day at a time. It’s something I’m learning.”
Buxton has been on the injured list since Aug. 4, and has been hitting, running and taking fly and ground balls. He’s feeling good while doing so, he said, but he’s trying to temper his expectations as he moves closer to a return.
“When I’m in center, then you’ll see a little bit more excitement,” he said. “Until then, I ain’t getting my hopes up. I’m very excited. I feel good. When I see my name (saying) I’m in center, then I’ll show a little bit more excitement. But trying to stay level-headed here.”
Briefly
David Festa, the Twins’ No. 9 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, was promoted to Triple-A on Monday. The right-handed pitcher had a 4.39 ERA in 21 games (19 starts) with the Double-A Wind Surge this year. … To make room for Funderburk on the 40-man roster, the Twins shifted reliever Oliver Ortega to the 60-day injured list.