Minnesota Twins Daily Clips Sunday, July 9, 2017

Miguel Sano blasts 21st home run but Twins miss other chances in 5-1 loss to Orioles. Star Tribune (Neal) p. 1 Twins notes: Zack Granite debuts with extended battle at-bat. Star Tribune (Neal) p. 2 Hartman: Molitor tells Twins All-Stars to enjoy the experience. Star Tribune (Hartman) p. 3 Mariano Rivera among All-Star Game memories Twins players won't forget. Star Tribune (Staff) p. 5 Twins' Kent Hrbek never got over all those All-Star snubs. Star Tribune (Reusse) p. 6 Zack Granite beats manager to the office on first day as a Twin. Star Tribune (Neal) p. 7 Walters: I wouldn’t trade me, says Twins’ Brian Dozier. Pioneer Press (Walters) p. 8 Sano’s 21st HR not nearly enough in Twins’ 5-1 loss to Orioles. Pioneer Press (Shipley) p. 9 Twins rookie Zack Granite gets jitters out, might start Sunday. Pioneer Press (Shipley) p. 11 Gibson tries to keep momentum going vs. O's. MLB (Jackson) p. 12 Sano joins Twins' illustrious group with 21st HR. MLB (Bollinger) p. 12 Twins unable to back Mejia after Sano homers. MLB (Bollinger & Jackson) p. 13 Prospect Granite called up; Jorge optioned. MLB (Bollinger) p. 14

Mining the Minors: How will the Twins use new guy Zack Granite? ESPN 1500 (Depue) p. 15

Paul Molitor said he’s hopeful Joe Mauer can return from DL next weekend. ESPN 1500 (Wetmore) p. 16

Zulgad: Colon signing sparks memories of (11) Twins retread pitchers from years past. 1500 ESPN (Zulgad) p. 17 When will Bartolo Colon make his Twins debut? 1500 ESPN (Wetmore) p. 18 Twins fall to Schoop, Orioles 5-1. Associated Press p. 19 Las Vegas’ Brandon Kintzler secures All-Star bid as Twins closer. Las Vegas Review Journal (Kantowski) p. 20

Miguel Sano blasts 21st home run but Twins miss other chances in 5-1 loss to Orioles

La Velle E. Neal lll | Star Tribune | July 9, 2017

The Twins had their chances Saturday, but they could not pull off back-to-back rallies. They failed to generate any momentum against Orioles lefthander Wade Miley or the Baltimore bullpen in a 5-1 loss at Target Field. After coming back from six runs down to win 9-6 Friday night, the Twins were out of answers Saturday. The Orioles, behind two hits from Manny Machado and a long home run by Jonathan Schoop, beat the Twins for the first time in six meetings this season. "We left a lot of people on base," Twins manager Paul Molitor said, "which can hurt you." The Twins were 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11 runners. Miley, torched for seven runs in 1⅔ innings Monday in Milwaukee, tied a season high Saturday by giving up eight hits. One was Miguel Sano's 21st home run. The rest failed to hurt him. Consequently, Twins fans had little to cheer for. The loudest ovation of the day came on an out: In his major league debut, pinch hitter Zack Granite grinded through an 11-pitch at-bat in the eighth inning before flying out to left, and fans stood and applauded as he returned to the dugout. The Twins stranded two in the first, left the bases loaded in the sixth and wasted a leadoff double in the eighth. They floundered with men on base against Miley (4-7), who entered the game 1-3 with a 11.69 ERA over his previous six starts. "I think he had us in between a lot," Molitor said. "His command was fairly good. He had us guessing a little bit on the first pitch. Dropped a first-

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pitch curveball in there, and maybe a couple guys started looking for it and he came back with the fastball." Starter Adalberto Mejia was still on the mound for the Twins in the seventh inning, which normally is a good thing. His pitch count was manageable because he either got Baltimore to hit the ball within range of his defense or he was able to finish off hitters for strikeouts. Sano put the Twins ahead 1-0 in the third. His 21st home run was the most by a Twin before the All-Star break since 2009, when Justin Morneau also hit 21. Mejia (4-4) faced the minimum nine batters over the first three innings, but the rookie lefthander gave up a one-out single to Manny Machado before laying a changeup over the middle of the plate to Schoop. The ball exploded off Schoop's bat and landed in the third deck in left field, an estimated 455 feet away. "That changeup was supposed to be away," said Mejia, who screamed at himself as Schoop began his trot around the bases. Mejia settled down until the sixth, when he gave up back-to-back doubles to Joey Rickard and Machado that produced a run. Machado eventually scored on a fielder's choice as Baltimore took a 4-1 lead. Mark Trumbo homered off Buddy Boshers in the eighth. The Twins still can win the four-game series if they beat Orioles righthander Ubaldo Jimenez on Sunday. They already have assured themselves of a winning homestand, their first since they swept Kansas City in three games to open the season. But a victory Sunday would give them a 5-2 home-stand, something to feel good about entering the break. "We did not hit today," Sano said. "Hopefully everybody comes back [Sunday] with our heads in the game and thinking about winning." Twins notes: Zack Granite debuts with extended battle at-bat

La Velle E. Neal lll | Star Tribune | July 9, 2017

The joke told to Zack Granite on Saturday was that he spent so much time in the batter’s box that he had to feel like a veteran. “I got to swing a couple times, so that was kinda cool,” Granite said. “Especially after not seeing the first couple of pitches. I felt like he was throwing 112.” Granite, called up after Friday’s game, made his major league debut in the eighth inning Saturday when he battled Baltimore righthander Michael Givens in an 11-pitch encounter that ended with Granite flying out to left. Givens throws fastballs in the middle- to upper-90s velocity range, but the lefthanded-hitting Granite was able to foul off a few pitches to keep the at bat alive, and the crowd into it until he flied out. Fans gave him a standing ovation as he left the field. “You battle against a guy throwing 98 miles an hour, it was a really good at-bat,” said Twins manager Paul Molitor, who might have Granite in the starting lineup Sunday. Granite comes from Class AAA Rochester, where he was batting .360 and is one of the surprise stories in the minors this season. Not considered a top Twins prospect, Granite hit .470 in June and opened eyes. He was supposed to play in the Class AAA All-Star Game, but was upgraded. And what an upgrade it was. Granite was in the batting cages at Rochester before a game against Syracuse on Friday when Red Wings manager Mike Quade walked in. “Lineup change!” he said. Then he pointed at Granite and said, “Adios.” And his teammates erupted in cheers. “Honestly, I don’t even remember it,” Granite said. “I just kinda blacked out.” Granite landed in the Twin Cities at around 12:30 a.m. Saturday and was one of the first ones in the clubhouse later in the day. He wanted to report to Molitor, but No. 4 wasn’t even at the park yet. That left Granite in a mostly empty room to savor his first moments as a major leaguer. “So I was just standing here, admiring the clubhouse,” he said. “It was cool.”

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Courting Colon

When the Twins inquired about free agent Bartolo Colon, they asked Ervin Santana to help with the inquiry. So Santana called up his former Angels teammate. “I asked him if he wanted to come to the American League because the Minnesota Twins are interested in him,” Santana said. “He had to talk to his agent. I said talk to him and let me know. He called me [Friday] morning and told me he is going to join us.” Colon, 44, was released by the Braves on July 4 after going 2-8 with a 8.14 ERA. But the Twins feel he can help stabilize the back of their rotation. He would be the 28th pitcher used — and the 11th starter — once he takes the ball for the Twins. And Santana believes young pitchers can learn a lot from Colon. Colon’s success is simple. He rarely throws anything other than a four-seam (straight) or two-seam (sinking) fastball. “I remember one day his elbow was sore and swollen but he had to pitch against Seattle,” Santana said. “He threw 90-something pitches, a complete game, just fastballs.” That game was on July 5, 2006, at Seattle. Colon had shoulder issues later that month and missed the last two months of that season. Colon signed a minor league contract Friday and is expected to make a start for Class AAA Rochester before joining the Twins on July 18 for a game against the Yankees. Post-break rotation Santana will get an extra day off after appearing in the All-Star Game on Tuesday. Jose Berrios will start Friday at Houston, followed by Santana and Kyle Gibson. Adalberto Mejia will start on July 17 when the Twins face the Yankees at Target Field, with Colon expected to follow. Hartman: Molitor tells Twins All-Stars to enjoy the experience

Sid Hartman | Star Tribune | July 8, 2017

This week Miguel Sano and Ervin Santana will head to Miami for the All-Star Game. For Sano, in his third season in the pros, it will be his first trip to the Midsummer Classic, and for Santana it will be his second trip, although his first in nine seasons. Santana, in his 13th season in the big leagues, might be having the best season of his career. His 2.99 ERA would be a career best and he currently leads the majors in starts, complete games and shutouts – even if his last start was a tough 2-1 complete game loss to Los Angeles this week. For Sano this is hopefully just the start of a long run of All-Star Games. He is having a breakout season for the Twins, and is already close to setting career marks in RBI, home runs, doubles and runs scored and there’s nearly half a season left. His batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and OPS have all bounced back from a relatively down season last year. Then on Friday came the news that those two will be joined by Twins closer Brandon Kintzler, who took over the American League lead in saves by himself Friday night. His selection gives the Twins three All-Stars for the first time since 2009. Paul Molitor can relate. The Twins manager was a seven-time All-Star, but it was spread out over 15 seasons. He was first selected as a 23-year-old, like Sano, when he was a Brewers second and third baseman in 1980. It took him five years to reach it again, this time as a shortstop. He would reach it again in 1988, miss it for two years, and then make four consecutive All-Star Games between 1991 and 1994, his 14th through 17th seasons in the majors. That’s the kind of longevity that makes a Hall of Famer. Fond memories Still, even for a Hall of Famer, Molitor said making the All-Star Game doesn’t mean you’re going to get a ton of playing time, so you have to soak in the atmosphere. Molitor said this past week: “My first at-bat in an All-Star Game was at the Metrodome in 1985 [he didn’t play in 1980]. I was a late replacement

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and I faced Fernando Venezuela and I struck out. “But I think I only ended up with seven or eight at-bats in my appearances in the game. I had a chance to start a game in Cincinnati [in 1988]. It’s very special when you’re amongst the game’s elite. I know the first time you walk into an All-Star locker room it’s just something you’ll never forget.” Molitor had 10 plate appearances in all in All-Star Games, with eight at-bats. He had only one hit, lining a single to right off John Smoltz in 1992, and even then he didn’t get to enjoy running the bases because Travis Fryman was thrown out rounding second base too far for the third out. But that’s 10 plate appearances in All-Star Games for a Hall of Fame player. Even the all-time greats don’t always get a chance to showcase their talent. “My personal record wasn’t very good,” Molitor said. “But it’s more about the experience of the game and the festivities that surround it and kind of shouldering up to the best players in the game.” Not just about results It’s interesting to look at the Twins history in the All-Star Game and see Molitor’s point played out. Only seven Twins have had more than a single hit in an All-Star Game. Harmon Killebrew went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored in 1964. Kirby Puckett won All-Star Game MVP in 1993 when he went 2-for-3 with a homer, a double and two RBI. Justin Morneau went 2-for-4 in 2008 with a double and two runs scored, including the dramatic walk-off winning run in the 15th inning. On the pitching side it’s amazing to think that Santana will be the first Twins starter to reach the game since Johan Santana did it in 2007, capping a string of three consecutive appearances for one of the greatest Twins of all-time. Frank Viola is the lone Twins pitcher to pick up an All-Star Game victory, pitching two perfect innings in his Cy Young Award season of 1988. So for Molitor, the game isn’t just about the results, but about being able to be a part of baseball history. “You know, when you dream about getting to the major leagues — I think back to watching Harmon Killebrew hit a home run in an All-Star Game that I watched as a kid — and you now you dream about having that opportunity one day, and I was fortunate to get to seven of them,” he said. There’s been one significant change to the game this year: It no longer determines which league has home-field advantage in the World Series. Molitor said it was the right thing to do, adding, “That became a little bit gimmicky, I think, for the players. “I think they know the way they’ve turned it into such an almost a weeklong festivity with the Futures Game and the celebrity softball game and the Home Run Derby and the big parade, it has become quite a spectacle. I think the players look forward to being a part of it.” Yes Molitor, of all people, can appreciate what a big moment this will be for Sano, Santana, Kintzler and for the Twins ballclub.

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Mariano Rivera among All-Star Game memories Twins players won't forget

Staff | Star Tribune | July 8, 2017

Brandon Kintzler’s life might not change much this week in Miami. But his obituary will. Like an Academy Award winner or a gold-record recording artist, Kintzler will have a new label affixed to his career Tuesday, and it will follow him until that day, hopefully far in the future, that his obit is published: All-Star. Brian Dozier, Phil Hughes, Jason Castro and Hector Santiago each have it, too, and while they would like someday to become a two-time (or more) All-Star, like six-time teammate Joe Mauer, just having been selected once puts them in an esteemed, and still reasonably elite, class. “I wouldn’t say it’s had any lingering effects on my career, but it’s something pretty neat to check off on your résumé,” said Hughes, a 2010 All-Star representing the Yankees. “There’s a little star on my Baseball-Reference page.” Those one-time All-Stars describe their experience like fans would, as if they were invited on the ultimate baseball weekend. Castro, for instance, calls his presence at the 2013 game at Citi Field in New York as “an incredible experience. The way you’re treated is spectacular.” His highlight? “It was Mariano Rivera’s final season, so the whole standing ovation for him, to take part in that was amazing,” Castro said of Rivera’s entrance from the bullpen to an empty field so the sellout crowd could salute him. Castro’s favorite moment doesn’t really involve him because he didn’t get to play. The lone representative of a 111-loss Astros team, he was told by AL manager Jim Leyland that if the game was close, he probably would remain on the bench as insurance in case the game went extra innings. “Me and Ben Zobrist were the emergency guys,” Castro said. “But it was still a lot of fun to be there.” Dozier and Hughes have similar memories, but for separate reasons. Dozier became the third Twin ever to homer in an All-Star Game, blasting a pitch from Mark Melancon in the eighth inning in Cincinnati. Hughes was charged with the loss for his three-batter stint in the 2010 game but has no complaints. Having grown up in Southern California, pitching an All-Star Game in Anaheim made it even more special. “I stayed at my parents’ house, 10 minutes away, so that was pretty neat. Not many All-Stars get to stay at home,” Hughes said. The Home Run Derby is the most fun, he said, because players have time to mingle and meet. He spent most of his All-Star bonus on tickets for family and friends, “but it was totally worth it. It’s something we’ll always remember.” Actually, Hughes couldn’t remember who followed Scott Rolen’s single with another hit off him — it was Matt Holliday — but both runners scored after Matt Thornton relieved him, and he was charged with the loss. “That’s OK,” Hughes said. “It was still great. … Plus, I got a nice swag bag,” complete with high-end headphones, an expensive pair of white cleats with a palm-tree logo that he still owns, “and a flip phone. They were big back then.” Dozier got some nice gifts, too — “I got a PGA-style, personalized golf bag that I still use,” he said, “and I have headphones galore.” The home run was even better, though, especially since it was so unlikely. Dozier wasn’t originally voted to the team, then didn’t win the final-player vote, but he was selected as an injury sub. He hurt his back that morning, and rehabbed it much of the afternoon, but thought he wouldn’t play; he was to be a ninth-inning defensive replacement. Jose Altuve and Jason Kipnis were told they would each get two at-bats, and Kipnis’ second one came up in the eighth inning. “But Jason went to [Royals/AL manager] Ned Yost and said, ‘Hey, let Brian have an at-bat,’  ” Dozier said. “I had to run to the clubhouse to get my bat.” Then Melancon hung a 2-1 curve, and Dozier made history. “Jason and I talked about it the other day. He says he should get credit” for the homer, Dozier said. “I’ll probably hear about that homer for years.”

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Twins' Kent Hrbek never got over all those All-Star snubs

Patrick Reusse | Star Tribune | July 8, 2017

Ervin Santana, Miguel Sano and late addition Brandon Kintzler will be in Miami as All-Stars, marking the 30th time the Twins have had multiple players on the American League roster. That leaves 27 seasons in which the Twins had the minimum of one All-Star. These were not All-Stars merely by necessity in many cases. Hall of Famers Kirby Puckett and Rod Carew made solo All-Star trips four times; Joe Mauer had three of those and Chuck Knoblauch a pair. Roy Smalley was voted in as the starting shortstop in 1979. Also, Joe Nathan and Eddie Guardado went as singles but also in other years. Michael Cuddyer was a single for the Twins in 2011 but was an NL All-Star with Colorado in 2013. These were the one-and-done All-Star roster additions for the Twins: 1980 — Ken Landreaux; 1981 — Doug Corbett; 1982 — Kent Hrbek (rookie); 1983 — Gary Ward; 1984 — Dave Engle; 1985 — Tom Brunansky; 1998 — Brad Radke; 1999 — Ron Coomer; 2000 — Matt Lawton; 2016 — Eduardo Nunez. The Twins had 10 straight Midsummer Classics with a solo player from 1978 to 1987. And that snub in the championship season of ’87 led to the most interesting All-Star case in team history. The Twins were tied for first July 9 when All-Star reserves were announced. Puckett would be the lone Twin for a second year in a row. Hrbek was overlooked in ’86; now, he was producing big for a contender and again left off. Don Mattingly was the starter at first base, and rookie Mark McGwire and Pat Tabler (as Cleveland’s lone representative) were chosen as the backups. The Twins were in Baltimore when the AL roster was revealed. A few of us were standing by the visitors dugout, waiting for Hrbek. I can still see him walking in from behind second base. There was steam rising from Herbie’s neck, and it wasn’t from the Baltimore heat. “I’m peeved, not just for myself, but because it shows nothing for the whole team,’’ he said. “If those guys ask me to go again, they can …” Yeah, and he meant it. Herbie stuck to his All-Star boycott even when Tom Kelly was managing in 1988 and five other Twins went with the manager to Cincinnati. Plus Three from Patrick Quirky All-Star stuff: • Dave Engle and Tom Brunansky were back-to-back Twins All-Stars and wound up as brothers-in-law, marrying sisters. • The first year of naming an All-Star MVP was 1962— Leon Wagner of the Angels and Maury Wills of the Dodgers. Why two? This was last of four years when two All-Star Games were played. • Rod Carew hit two triples in 1978. L.A.’s Steve Garvey (single, triple) was the MVP. The NL won … but two triples? Come on.

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Zack Granite beats manager to the office on first day as a Twin

La Velle E. Neal lll | Star Tribune | July 8, 2017

Zack Granite landed in the Twin Cities at around 12:30 last night and was one of the first ones in the clubhouse this morning. He wanted to report to manager Paul Molitor, but even he wasn't at the park yet. "So I was just standing here, admiring the clubhouse," Granite said. "It was cool." Granite comes from Class AAA Rochester, where he was batting .360 and is one of the surprise stories in the minors this season. Not considered a top Twins prospect, Granite hit .470 in June and opened eyes. The Twins decided to call Granite up now since Ervin Santana won't pitch until next Saturday in Houston, which allows them to carry an extra position player. Whether or not Granite gets a start is up for grabs. He's not in the lineup today because there is a lefthander on the mound in Wade Miley. Plus, the Twins are sitting second in the AL Central with their outfield of Eddie Rosario, Byron Buxton and Max Kepler. While some fans think Buxton is in danger of losing at bats, that couldn't be further from the truth. Twins manager Paul Molitor said he will try to get Granite a start, but wasn't sure if he could. Granite meanwhile, has a group of 12 family members and friends here for whenever he debuts. There are a lot of teachers in the Granite family, so their summers are open. "This is the dream," Zack said. "This is where I want to be. So I'll take it from here." Optimistic on Mauer Molitor remained optimistic that Joe Mauer will be healthy enough to play when he's due to come off of the DL next Saturday. He said Mauer has made good progress over the last couple of days, increasing that likelihood. Mauer injured his lower back while running the bases during Tuesday's win over the Angels. Molitor said there's a good chance Granite will be with the team on Friday when the Twins open a three-game series in Houston. That means there could be a few roster moves that day, as Mauer, they hope, will be activated and the Twins decided if they want to go back to 13 pitchers or not. Rotation switch Since Ervin Santana is pitching on Tuesday in the All-Star Game, the Twins are going to give him one extra day off. So Jose Berrios will pitch the opener in Houston, followed by Santana then Kyle Gibson. Adalberto Mejia is set up to start on Monday, July 17 against the Yankees at Target Field. That means Bartolo Colon, who was signed to a minor league contract on Friday, could make his Twins debut the next night against New York.

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Walters: I wouldn’t trade me, says Twins’ Brian Dozier

Charley Walters | Pioneer Press | July 8, 2017

Baseball’s trade deadline is in 22 days. The Twins, the major leagues’ worst team last season, aren’t giving in this season, fighting at the halfway mark with Cleveland and Kansas City for a division lead and certainly for one of two American League wild-card playoff spots. This Twins club has proven it has heart. Despite its pitching dearth, Friday night’s 9-6 victory over Baltimore was Minnesota’s 23rd come-from-behind victory this year. The Twins desperately need pitching, especially bullpen help. Brian Dozier, 30, who loves playing in Minnesota, is the team’s most viable trade chip. The second baseman, who hit 28 of his 42 home runs last year during the second half of the season, doesn’t expect to be traded. “Winning trumps all _ that’s all that matters,” Dozier said. “We’re in contention. I don’t think anything will happen besides adding pieces.” Trading Dozier, Dozier said, “would make zero sense. Whenever you’re in contention, that close — first place, wild card, whatever it is — you don’t take that for granted. You go out and get what you need.” Entering Saturday’s game against Baltimore, Dozier was hitting .247 with 13 home runs — second on the club to all-star Miguel Sano’s 21 homers — with 40 runs batted in, also second to Sano’s 62. Mathematically, Dozier this season is projected to hit 24 homers. Dozier’s contract — he is in the third season of a $20 million, four-year deal — is especially attractive to other clubs. The contract, signed in 2015, was the only multiyear deal in major league history signed by a player one year before he could become eligible for salary arbitration. Dozier can become a free agent after the 2018 season. There are 14 second basemen paid more than Dozier’s $6 million this season. Seattle’s Robinson Cano is No. 1 at $24 million. Rougned Odor, 23, who hit .271 with 33 home runs for the Texas Rangers last season, the other day received a $49.5 million, six-year contract. Dozier, besides hitting 42 homers last season as an all-star, hit .268. Twins first-year chief baseball executive Derek Falvey said it’s still too early to decide whether to be buyers or sellers before the trade deadline. “If you look at the last couple of years, and with the advent of the second wild card, and the American League in particular, there really isn’t a team that I would view as being out of it necessarily,” Falvey said. “So I think the expectation is with most teams, these conversations start now. The all-star break comes (Monday), everyone hits a little bit of the restart button and it slows down a bit, and then after that it starts to become more rampant.” Falvey admitted the Twins have had inquiries from other clubs. “Very basic at this stage, trying to figure out where do things stand, what are your needs, what that might look like,” he said. “More to lay the groundwork for future conversations.” The Twins, who on Friday signed pitcher Bartolo Colon, 44, to a minor league deal, are making inquiries with other clubs, too. “Normal process,” Falvey said last week. Ex-Twins submarine-style reliever Pat Neshek, 36, from Park Center is a two-time all-star reliever, now with baseball’s worst team, Philadelphia, and can become a free agent after the season. The right-hander is making $6.5 million this season and is certain to be traded by the Phillies. A better bullpen choice for the Twins would be another all-star and hometown product, Brad Hand of Chaska, who pitches for the struggling Padres. Hand, 27, is left-handed and pitching for just $1.38 million and can become a free agent after the season. Oakland starter Sonny Gray, 27, remains a top value at $3.6 million this season, but he is salary arbitration-eligible after the season. Gray is 4-4 with a 3.49 earned-run average for the last-place A’s. It’s a good bet that if the season ended today, the Twins’ Paul Molitor would be a contender for American League manager of the year, the same as he was after the 2015 season.

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Molitor, 60, is in the final season of a three-year contract. Although Twins owner Jim Pohlad is a big Molitor fan, he says Falvey will make the call on Molitor’s future. “It’s something we’ve talked about that we’re going to address at the end of the year,” Falvey said. “We don’t want anything to be a distraction here, so we’re going to focus on that in due time.” Regardless, I asked Falvey whether he thinks Molitor, at this juncture of the season, is AL manager of the year. Falvey smiled. “I don’t (officially) vote for those things, but I’m going to vote for everyone on the Twins for every award there is, I can tell you that right now,” he said. Sano is bringing his offseason batting practice pitcher from the Dominican Republic, Fernando Tatis, to Miami to pitch to him in Monday’s All-Star Home Run Derby. Tatis, 42, a utility player who spent 11 seasons in the major leagues, is the only player in history to hit grand slam home runs in the same inning. He performed the feat in 1999 playing for the Cardinals against the Dodgers in Los Angeles. “He’s worked with me really hard, and he wanted the chance to do it,” Sano said of the Derby. Sano has 12-to-1 odds to win the Home Run Derby. Giancarlo Stanton is favored at 7-to-5, Aaron Judge at 7-to-4 by Bovada-Las Vegas. Can Sano win? “Why not,” he said. “It’s big competition, but I need to go there like I go here — hit the ball out and win. That would be a big thing for me to win the Home Run Derby because I want to dedicate it to my family and my team.” Sano’s 21st HR not nearly enough in Twins’ 5-1 loss to Orioles

John Shipley | Pioneer Press | July 8, 2017

Miguel Sano hit his 21st home run of the season, the Twins’ only offense in a 5-1 loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday afternoon at Target Field. Jonathan Schoop and Mark Trumbo each homered and drove in two runs as the Orioles won their first game of a four-game series that concludes Sunday and takes both teams into the four-day all-star break. The Twins (45-42) will enter the break with a chance to win their first American League Central title since 2010. They went into the 2016 break with a 32-56 record. “Not every day we win. We win, we lose; that’s a part of the game,” Sano said. “One day you’ll be high, one day you’ll be low. … Sometimes you feel good and you don’t hit; the other team maybe felt better today. But everybody played hard.” Baltimore starter Wade Miley (4-7) gave up eight hits and three walks in 5.2 innings, but seven of those hits — and two of the walks — came with two out. The Twins loaded the bases on two hits and a hit batter in the sixth, but reliever Darren O’Day struck out Eduard Escobar for the third out. In all, the Twins stranded 11 runners on base. It was a rough day for Escobar, who mishandled two plays at third base, one of which — a hot grounder from Manny Machado –was ruled an RBI double in a two-run sixth inning. Machado later scored from third on a potential double-play grounder that Escobar fumbled for an error. Sano’s solo homer in the third gave the Twins a 1-0 lead. His 21 homers before the all-star break are the most for a Twins player since Justin Morneau had 21 in 2009. Only Sano, Morneau and late hall of famer Harmon Killebrew have hit 21 homers before the break. “I’m so happy to be on the same page with those guys, and I need to keep going and hit more than that, every year, and try to be in the record book,” Sano said.

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LONG BALL Twins starter Adalberto Mejia (4-4) probably deserved better. Riding a three-start winning streak, he surrendered only five hits in 6 2/3 innings. Unfortunately, two were hit consecutively in the fourth inning by Machado and Schoop — and Schoop’s blast didn’t stop until it hit the third-deck façade in left field and gave the Orioles a 2-1 lead. The Twins estimated the homer at 455 feet. Statcast said 462 feet. Whatever, Schoop knew his 75th career homer was gone the moment he made contact. “Yeah, I did,” he said. “It was hard.” MAUER ‘PROGRESSING’ Joe Mauer is optimistic about returning from a lower back injury in time to play the second game out of the break in Houston. He was injured running the bases in a 5-4 victory over the Angels on July 4 and was placed on the 10-day disabled list Friday. “The last couple of days it’s been progressing, so it’s been good,” Mauer said. He’s eligible to come off the DL July 16 at Houston and remains focused on that goal. “That’s what I’m hoping for,” he said. PITCHING PLANS The Twins will come out of the all-star break with Jose Berrios on the mound against the Astros. Ervin Santana, one of the Twins’ three representatives in Tuesday’s All-Star Game in Miami, will be next followed by Kyle Gibson. Mejia will open a four-game series against the Yankees at Target Field on July 17. Who pitches Game 2 remains unknown, and it’s conceivable to see the turn taken by Bartolo Colon, who agreed to terms on a minor league deal on Friday. Colon, 44, was 2-8 with an 8.25 earned-run average in 13 starts with Atlanta before being designated and clearing waivers, but the Twins feel like he can help the back end of a rotation that has yet to come into focus this season because of injuries and inadequacy. He could pitch at Triple-A Rochester as soon as Thursday, after which Twins brass would determine if he’ll be called up. “We felt like the stuff was similar to what it had been, and this was an opportunity to bring in a guy who’s been really successful the past couple of seasons and has had a tough start this year,” president of baseball operations Derek Falvey said Friday. BRIEFLY Closer Brandon Kintzler started Saturday leading the AL with 24 saves, in no small part because of left-hander Taylor Rogers, who leads the league with 21 holds. “If I threw 100 mph, everyone would know I lead the AL in holds,” he said. … The Twins’ three all-stars — Santana, Kintzler and Sano — were fitted for the turquoise warmup jerseys they’ll wear before Tuesday’s game at Miami’s Marlins Field. The teams will wear their regular uniforms — away for American League players — for the game, although each will have two stars on the back.

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Twins rookie Zack Granite gets jitters out, might start Sunday

John Shipley | Pioneer Press | July 8, 2017

In long, dull game for a solid Target Field crowd, the highlight was a pop out. Rookie Zack Granite popped out to left as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning of a 5-1 loss to the Baltimore Orioles, but it was an 11-pitch at-bat against right-hander Mychal Givens that started with an 0-2 count. It was Granite’s first appearance in a major league game. “I missed the first two pitches,” he said. “It felt like he was throwing 112 (mph).” In fact, it was 98 mph, plenty fast enough. With none out and Eddie Rosario on first base, Granite, a left-handed hitter, fell behind on two called strikes. He fouled off five pitches and worked the count to 2-2 before popping out to shallow left. “He had a good at-bat,” manager Paul Molitor said. “I wanted to get a guy up there who would grind out a good at-bat.” Minnesota fans were happy to see Granite at all after he lit the International League on fire in the first half, and they saw enough in his first major league at-bat to give him a standing ovation as he walked back to the dugout. “That’s definitely the loudest I’ve ever heard from a stadium for an out,” Granite said. “It was kind of cool.” Molitor has been watching Granite up close and from afar since February, when Granite played in his first major league training camp. He started the outfielder on the bench Saturday, but it sounds as if he might get his first big-league start in Sunday’s series finale. “If he plays tomorrow,” the manager said after the game, “he should have gotten the nerves out.” Yes, Granite promised — “One hundred percent.” Granite, 24, arrived in the Twin Cities by air at 12:30 a.m. yet was one of the first two players at the park on Saturday; the other was his roommate in at Triple-A Rochester, Trevor Hildenberger. Granite was hitting .360 with 17 extra-base hits and 15 stolen bases in Rochester and is missing the IL All-Star Game to be in Minnesota. “It would have been a really cool experience, but this is the dream. This is where I want to be,” he said. “This is where I want to be. Hopefully I’ll do whatever they ask me to do here and take it from there.” If he doesn’t start Sunday, likely in left or center, he’ll probably get another chance in the Twins’ first series after the July 10-13 all-star break. Because Minnesota has three players on the disabled list and won’t need a fifth starting pitcher until July 18, Molitor said, “I would imagine that most likely, at least that first game in Houston, that we’ll be coming out of the break the way we’re going into the break.” Granite was hitting .371 on June 23 after opening the month with a 17-game hitting streak. “It was kinda crazy,” he said. “It was a lot of hits.” Thirty-four, to be exact. “I kind of rode a wave, you know?” he explained. “I was getting some lucky hits, and then I caught fire and was getting on base a lot, so it was really good. It was kind of one thing after another. I was seeing the ball really well, laying off some good pitches and good things were happening, so I think it was a little bit of luck, a little bit getting hot.”

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Gibson tries to keep momentum going vs. O's

Shane Jackson | MLB | July 9, 2017

The Orioles and Twins will close out a four-game set and the first half of the season, as a pair of right-handers square off on today at Target Field. Baltimore's Ubaldo Jimenez will go opposite Kyle Gibson of Minnesota. Jimenez (3-4, 6.64 ERA) will look to bounce back from his previous outing in which he allowed five runs on six hits over five innings in the loss to the Brewers. The O's desperately need the veteran righty to show the stuff he had just two starts ago in which he spun eight scoreless frames against Toronto. Entering Saturday, Baltimore's rotation had an American League-worst 5.79 ERA through the first 86 games of the season. On the other hand, Gibson (5-6, 5.82 ERA) is coming off one of his best starts of the season. Gibson held the Angels to two runs over 6 2/3 innings, while recording four strikeouts and two walks. He has quietly found his form lately, logging a 3.91 ERA over his previous eight starts. Over that span, Gibson has lasted at least six innings in half of his outings. Three things to know about this game • Jimenez has made 12 career starts against the Twins, posting a 5-3 record with a 3.13 ERA. He has struck out 78 batters and walked 25 across 69 innings. • Brian Dozier has the most at-bats against Jimenez. He's batting .360 with a .385 on-base percentage in 25 at-bats to go along with three doubles. • Gibson has a 2-1 record with a 4.68 ERA in six career starts against Baltimore. Manny Machado has a .308 clip (4-for-13) off the Twins righty. Sano joins Twins' illustrious group with 21st HR

Rhett Bollinger | MLB | July 8, 2017

MINNEAPOLIS -- Twins third baseman Miguel Sano joined rare company, reaching 21 homers before the All-Star break, the most by a Twins player since Justin Morneau hit 21 blasts before the 2009 Midsummer Classic. Only Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew, Twins Hall of Famer Kent Hrbek and Morneau have hit more than 21 homers before an All-Star break since the team moved to Minnesota in 1961. Unfortunately for Sano, however, it came in a losing effort, as his blast was the lone run scored by the Twins in a 5-1 defeat to the Orioles on Saturday afternoon at Target Field. "I'm so happy to be on the same page as those guys," Sano said. "I just need to keep going strong and hit more than that. And try every year to be in the [record] book." The club record for homers before the All-Star break is 30, set by Killebrew in 1964. Killebrew tied his own club record with 49 homers that season. Before the break, Killebrew also hit 28 homers in '69, 26 in '61 and '70 and 22 in '67. Morneau hit 24 homers prior to the '07 break, while Hrbek had 23 in '87. Sano's homer in the third left the bat at 108.8 mph at a launch angle of 22 degrees, per Statcast™. It went a projected 379 feet down the left-field line, as he hooked an 0-1 changeup from left-hander Wade Miley. It also extended his hit streak to a career-high 10 games, and he's hitting .342 with three homers and nine RBIs over that stretch. "I was waiting for that pitch because the first at-bat he threw me a fastball," Sano said. "In my second at-bat, he threw a changeup and I hit a foul ball, and then I was ready for the second one. It was down at my knee but I hit a homer." Twins manager Paul Molitor noted that Sano's power allowed him to homer even though he was out in front of the 84.8-mph changeup. Sano is only four homers away from tying his career high of 25 set last season. "He got fooled just a hair, but he kept his hands back and was able to drive it out," Molitor said. "Obviously, that was the highlight for us offensively today." Sano's power will be on display in front of a national audience on Monday, when he performs in the T-Mobile Home Run Derby at Miami's Marlins Park. He's seeded fifth and is matched up against Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas in the first round.

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Twins unable to back Mejia after Sano homers

Rhett Bollinger & Shane Jackson | MLB | July 8, 2017

MINNEAPOLIS -- Jonathan Schoop clobbered a massive homer to back a solid showing by Wade Miley, as the Orioles pushed past the Twins, 5-1, on Saturday at Target Field. The win was Baltimore's first over Minnesota this season and snapped a five-game losing skid. Miley finished one out shy of his first quality start since June 1, scattering eight hits across 5 2/3 innings with four strikeouts and three walks. Miguel Sano scratched the only run off the left-hander, clubbing his 21st homer with a shot in the third inning. The All-Star slugger is the first Twin to hit 21 blasts before the All-Star break since Justin Morneau hit 21 in 2009. "I just wanted to go out there and throw up zeros," Miley said. "That's a gritty team over there, those guys are swinging the bat really well. You just try to keep them off the scoreboard." Baltimore reclaimed the advantage in the the fourth with a homer from their own All-Star. Schoop, who started at shortstop for the first time in his Major League career, delivered a two-run shot to left. It was his 18th homer, which is four more than he had last year before the break when Schoop finished with a career-best 25 homers. After a four-hit night on Friday, third baseman Manny Machado drove in a run on a double in the sixth. O's slugger Mark Trumbo hit his 14th home run and second this series with a solo shot in the eighth. According to Statcast™, his homer off Buddy Boshers went an estimated 393 feet and left the bat at 99.1 mph. It also extended Trumbo's hitting streak to seven games. "We pitched fairly well, but we had a lot of opportunities and left a lot of runners on base," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "We ended up with one run and double-digits in men left on base, which is a rough combination to overcome." MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Schoop's shot: Schoop obliterated a baseball in the fourth inning to give Baltimore a 2-1 advantage, as he belted a first-pitch changeup from Adalberto Mejia into the third deck in left. According to Statcast™, his two-run shot went an estimated 462 feet with an exit velocity of 113.5 mph. It marked his longest homer this season and second farthest since Statcast™ began tracking home runs at the start of 2015. In addition, it was also the longest homer hit to left at Target Field this year. Only Twins' Kennys Vargas (483 feet) and Houston's George Springer (473 feet) recorded bigger blasts -- both to center -- at Minnesota's ballpark in 2017. "It was real important [to get that early lead]," Schoop said. "Wade pounded the zone and we scored early for him. He kept us in the game and helped us get in and out. We scored runs and that puts you in a good position." O's escape jam: Darren O'Day danced around some potential damage in the sixth inning. Baltimore called upon the premier sidearmer to relieve Miley, who had given up a pair of two-out singles, to get the most crucial out. With runners at the corners, O'Day fell behind Brian Dozier in his first at-bat and then proceeded to plunk Dozier on a 3-0 sinker to load the bases. O'Day still got out of the jam unscathed, by getting Eduardo Escobar to swing through a 2-2 slider. The Twins are batting .188 in 32 at-bats with the bases loaded and two away. "That was big, that's why I have Darren there," Baltimore manager Buck Showalter said. "He felt real good. He's had short outings in three days, so that's a good sign for us going forward that he's going to show that durability the rest of the way." QUOTABLE "I'm so happy to be on the same page as those guys. I just need to keep going strong and hit more than that. And try every year to be in the [record] book." -- Sano, on reaching 21 homers before the break. Among Twins players, only Harmon Killebrew, Kent Hrbek and Morneau have hit more homers before a Midsummer Classic MLB DEBUT Twins outfielder Zack Granite made his highly anticipated debut with a pinch-hit at-bat in the eighth inning. Following a leadoff single from Eddie Rosario, Granite came up to the plate in place of Ehire Adrianza. The team's No. 21 ranked prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, watched a couple heaters from Baltimore's Mychal Givens go by for a strike. After starting behind in the count, Granite still fouled away five pitches and eventually worked the count full before ending his 11-pitch at-bat with a flyout to shallow left. "My heart was going a little bit, which was cool," Granite said. "The crowd was unbelievable and gave me a nice ovation. It was really cool. I

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fouled off a couple pitches and popped out, but it was a really cool experience for me and I'll never forget it." WHAT'S NEXT Orioles: Ubaldo Jimenez (3-4, 6.64 ERA) is slated to start the finale Sunday at 2:10 p.m. ET. Last time out, the right-hander allowed five runs on six hits over five innings in the loss to Milwaukee. Jimenez is 5-3 with a 3.13 ERA in 12 career starts against Minnesota. Twins: Right-hander Kyle Gibson (5-6, 5.82 ERA) is set to start for the Twins in the final game before the All-Star break against the Orioles on Sunday at 1:10 p.m. CT. Gibson is coming off a strong start, allowing two runs over 6 2/3 innings against the Angels on Tuesday. Prospect Granite called up; Jorge optioned

Rhett Bollinger | MLB | July 8, 2017

MINNEAPOLIS -- After an incredible June that saw him hit .470/.527/.667, while recording 20 multi-hit games, the Twins recalled outfield prospect Zack Granite from Triple-A Rochester on Saturday. Right-hander Felix Jorge was optioned to Double-A Chattanooga after Friday's 9-6 win over the Orioles. Granite, ranked as Minnesota's No. 21 prospect by MLBPipeline.com, is batting .360/.412/.494 with three homers, 14 doubles, three triples and 15 stolen bases with Rochester this season. He was told he was coming up before Friday's game against Syracuse, as manager Mike Quade announced there was going to be a lineup change, only to reveal that Granite was getting called up for the first time in his career. "It was kinda crazy," Granite said. "I'm just trying to enjoy every moment right now. I'm taking it second by second. It's just cool to be here. It's an exciting time right now." Granite made his Major League debut in the Twins' 5-1 loss as a pinch-hitter in the eighth, flying out to left against reliever Mychal Givens in an 11-pitch at-bat after falling behind 0-2. Twins manager Paul Molitor said before the game that it's still undetermined how long he'll stick, but he's likely to be sent down once Joe Mauer returns from the 10-disabled list on July 15. But Molitor was impressed by Granite's speech at last year's Diamond Awards at Target Field, when he was named the organization's Minor League Player of the Year, and his performance in Spring Training. "You could see right away that he was a confident kid that had a little moxie to him," Molitor said of the Staten Island, N.Y., native. "We got a look at him in spring, and I had my eye on him all through camp, just because he kept doing things that made me understand why we had him on the roster. He just kind of knows how to play the game. He can contribute in a lot of ways." Granite, a speedy center fielder, can impact the game with his defense and baserunning, but it's his offense that has really turned heads this year. He said he was helped by a pregame speech from former Twins outfielder Michael Cuddyer in early June, as he visited the club in Norfolk, Va., and told him advice that he took to heart. Granite said he was overthinking at the plate, but Cuddyer encouraged him to just let his talent flow and have fun. "Honestly, I wasn't thinking [at the plate] and that was the main thing," Granite said. "Early on, I was getting in my own head. I was just trying to see the baseball and that's all I was worried about it. It was about keeping it simple." Granite was named an International League All-Star for his stellar play, but he'll have to miss the game after getting called up. But Granite said he's more than fine with that. "This is a little bit better," Granite said with a laugh. "This is something I've dreamed about. I'm OK missing Tacoma. It'll be a good experience here and whatever they need me to do, I'll do it."

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Mining the Minors: How will the Twins use new guy Zack Granite?

Jake Depue | ESPN 1500 | July 8, 2017

Is a player currently on the Twins’ 25-man roster allowed to be included in Mining the Minors? Granite got called up to the Twins on Friday, and will likely serve as a bench player for the next few games. Granite’s first stay in Minnesota will probably be a short one, as the Twins will need his spot when Joe Mauer is expected to come off the DL on July 15. Granite, though, has more than earned his call up, and I’d be really surprised if this is his only stint with the Twins this year. “Give him an opportunity, a little bit of a reward for maybe being the best player in that league this year,” Twins manager Paul Molitor said Friday. “It’ll just supplement us here. We’re in a position roster-wise to add a position player; we’re pretty well protected pitching-wise heading into the [all-star] break.” In 59 games at Rochester, Granite hit .360/.412/.492 with 15 stolen bases. His speed allows him to cover a lot of ground in the outfield, and though he’s played mainly center field in the minors, he can play all three outfield positions. I think it’s fair to say that in many organizations Granite would already be patrolling an outfield spot in the big leagues, but the Twins have four outfielders—Byron Buxton, Max Kepler, Eddie Rosario and Robbie Grossman– that have all earned their place on the roster and kept Granite at Triple-A. Granite’s a valuable player in part because he can serve a lot of different roles. His ability to hit for average makes him a pinch hitting option. His speed and basestealing ability makes him a pinch running option. And his defensive versatility makes him a late-game defensive replacement option. He’s exactly the type of player any manager would love to have on his bench. “I know that at least I get another defender, I get a good base runner, pinch hitter. We’ll see if we can get him a start here somewhere along the way,” Molitor said. Even if it’s just a cup of coffee this time around, getting a taste of the big leagues will be good experience for Granite, and a chance for Twins fans to see a player who may be an important part of the future. Nick Gordon: Gordon, who was recently named a Southern League All-Star and got an invite to the prospect-rich Futures Game, has been remarkably consistent with the bat all year, and that’s continued through early July. He really hasn’t experienced any kind of sustained slump—his average has basically sat in the .300 to .330 range since mid-April. He’s currently hitting. 302/.370/.464 with 22 doubles, six triples and six home runs. The six home runs are more than he’s hit in his entire career coming into the season, and his next double and triple will match his previous season high totals. That he’s done all of this as a 21-year-old in Double-A makes his performance that much more impressive. Gordon’s still years away from entering his prime, and there’s no question he projects as a high-impact bat in the big leagues. As he continues to add muscle, the power numbers should continue to rise. He’s certainly deserving of a promotion to Triple-A if the Twins wanted to go that route, but I don’t see much of a reason for it right now. With shortstop Engelb Vielma entrenched in Rochester and trying to prove he can hit there, keeping Gordon at Double-A throughout the season makes sense. Chattanooga also clinched a playoff berth by virtue of winning their division in the first half (the Southern League breaks the season into two halves), and allowing him to compete in the Double-A playoffs would be a good experience for him and get him more at bats. In 2015, the Twins kept Max Kepler–who won the Southern League MVP that year– in Chattanooga through their playoff run before calling him up to the big leagues for the last two weeks of the season. Defensive questions with Gordon remain. He’s committed 16 errors this season, and isn’t known as a player with elite range, which makes the error total more concerning. He lacks the footspeed of his brother, Dee, which limits his range and ability to steal bases—he has just nine steals this season. Gordon may very well develop into a league-average defensive shortstop, but it’s far from a certainty. It’d be prudent for the Twins to make a decision on Gordon’s position relatively soon, because of the ripple effect it has up the organization. With Brian Dozier entering the final year of his contract, trading Dozier—either at the deadline if the Twins fall out of contention or in the offseason—makes even more sense if they feel Gordon’s their second baseman of the future. There are a lot of factors that go into that decision, of course, but Gordon’s final landing spot defensively is perhaps one of the most important ones. Engelb Vielma

Vielma’s offensive numbers have gone down since his promotion to Triple-A. He hit .286/.362/.328 in 34 games in Double-A, and is hitting

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.234/.259/.266 in 44 games in Triple-A. His offensive struggles haven’t stopped him from making ridiculous plays at shortstop, however. One of the more overlooked subplots of the last two months for the Twins is the struggles of Jorge Polanco. Polanco started off the season well at the plate, and showed a lot of improvement defensively at shortstop, in my opinion. Recently, though, Polanco’s gone through an extended slump, with his batting line down to .228/.277/.328. Those numbers play if you’re an above average defensive shortstop, but Polanco’s not there yet. Overall, his defense has certainly improved from last year, but in my non-expert opinion, the eye test suggests his defense has regressed from where he was at in April. Polanco committed just one error in April. Since then, he’s committed eight. Errors isn’t a great stat when comparing across players, but when comparing the same player at two points in time in the same season, it’s more meaningful, because range factor remains more or less constant. I think it’s fair to say Polanco has taken a step back in his defensive consistency. What this means for Vielma, then, is there could be an opening if he can prove he can hit. I think he has a ways to go in that regard, and Polanco’s track record with the bat suggests he should rebound offensively. The door is perhaps more open than it’s ever been for Vielma, though, and if he can figure it out how to get on base at a .350 clip like he was earlier this season, he could land at least a bench role in Minnesota. Wild Card 1500ESPN Vikings analyst Matthew Coller alerted me to an interesting nugget about the Twins’ minor league affiliates: Every team in the organization currently has a winning record. Minor league wins and losses aren’t terribly important in the grand scheme of things, of course, but it certainly suggests the Twins have talent throughout their system. Here are the records of each affiliate through play Friday: Triple-A Rochester: 47-39 Double-A Chattanooga: 55-30 High-A Fort Myers: 43-39 Low-A Cedar Rapids: 47-39 Rookie League (Elizabethon): 11-5 Rookie League (GCL): 8-3 Rookie League (DSL): 24-5 Paul Molitor said he’s hopeful Joe Mauer can return from DL next weekend

Derek Wetmore | ESPN 1500 | July 8, 2017

MINNEAPOLIS — The Twins on Friday put Joe Mauer on the 10-day disabled list after he hadn’t played in a couple days with a hurt back. They recalled Kennys Vargas to take Mauer’s spot on the 25-man roster. Vargas will have at least a couple games to prove he should stick around this time. But it’s not yet clear how long that runway is. Twins manager Paul Molitor said Mauer could be ready to return to action the first day he’s eligible, which would be Saturday, July 15, in Houston. The Twins backdated his DL stint to the last time he played, and the days off during the all-star break count toward his 10-day sentence. “I’m fairly confident [he can return the his first day he’s allowed],” Molitor said. “I’m sure Joe’s going to have the desire to try to get activated as quickly as possible. How he’s going to feel when we get to Houston and do some work on that first day, and whether, 8, 9 days [off] and whether we do a day of batting practice. … I’m hoping he’s ready to go whenever he’s eligible.” Mauer was held out of the lineup Wednesday, after apparently hurting his back during the 1st inning of Tuesday’s contest. It’s his first time on the disabled list since he strained an oblique muscle in 2014. “Each and every day he’s doing a little bit better. But he was having a tough time a couple days ago,” Molitor said. “I think he wrenched that thing pretty good. But the fact that there’s been this much progress the first 72 hours, I think it’s encouraging.” It seems like Molitor has been protective of his first baseman this season. With frequent days off mixed in, primarily against left-handed pitching. And you won’t always see Mauer’s name in the lineup during day games following a night game. My hunch is that Mauer would prefer to play more often than he does, but when his 34-year-old body is hit with an injury, it left some fans wondering whether workload played into the equation. “I think it happened in an instant,” Molitor said. “And the fact that he had to play 8 more innings and try to manage it and stay in the game. He got through it but … I think he felt good and then all of a sudden he didn’t because of a quick change of direction or whatever [the impact] was.”

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Zulgad: Colon signing sparks memories of (11) Twins retread pitchers from years past

Judd Zulgad | 1500 ESPN | July 8, 2017

The Twins’ move to sign 44-year-old starter Bartolo Colon on Friday carried on a long tradition of this franchise signing once prominent names turned journeyman in hopes of getting one last batch of competent outings. Shortly after the Colon news broke on Friday, I put a question on Twitter for Twins fans to chime in with some of their favorite moves when it came to the organization bringing in a player near the end of his career. The replies brought back a flood of memories. My initial plan was to do a top 10 list of these players. However, it soon became clear that pitchers could make up their own top 10 list. I ended up with 11. Here is the list: (If there are any oversights, and I’m sure there are, feel free to add them in the comments section.) John Candelaria, LHP, joined Twins in age 36 season: Signed as a free agent in February 1990, “The Candy Man” went 7-3 with a 3.39 ERA in 34 games and one start before being traded to Toronto for infielder Nelson Liriano and outfielder Pedro Munoz in July 1990. Candelaria spent 1991 and 1992 with the Dodgers before finishing his 19-year career (at age 39) where it began, with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1993. Steve Carlton, LHP, joined Twins in age 42 season: The Twins acquired “Lefty” for a player to be named on July 31, 1987. He went 1-5 with a 6.70 ERA in nine games and seven starts. The Twins retained Carlton as a free agent in 1988 and he went 0-1 with a 16.76 ERA in four games (one start) before being let go in late April. That put an end to his 24-year Hall of Fame career. Livan Hernandez, RHP, joined Twins in age 33 season: We give you Hernandez’s age knowing full well that many have questioned if we actually ever knew his real year of birth. He was signed as a free agent by the Twins in February 2008 and went 10-8 with a 5.48 ERA in 23 starts before being selected off waivers by Colorado in August of that season. He would go on to pitch for four more teams before retiring after his age 37 season in 2012. He spent 17 years in the big leagues. Charlie Lea, RHP, joined Twins in age 31 season: Signed as a free agent in February 1988 after being in Montreal for his first six years, Lea went 7-7 with a 4.85 ERA in 24 games (23 starts) in the final season of his big-league career. Jason Marquis, RHP, joined Twins in age 33 season: Signed as a free agent in December 2011, Marquis went 2-4 with an 8.47 ERA in seven starts before being let go by the Twins in late May of 2012 and signing with the San Diego Padres. He ended his 15-year career with the Cincinnati Reds at age 36 in 2015. Terry Mulholland, LHP, joined Twins in age 41 season: Purchased on April 2, 2004, Mulholland went 5-8 with a 5.18 ERA in 39 games and 15 starts that season and then went 0-2 with a 4.27 ERA in 49 games in 2005 before signing with Arizona as a free agent. He retired after 20 years in the big leagues (at age 43) after only five games with the Diamondbacks in 2006. Joe Niekro, RHP, joined Twins in age 42 season: Acquired on June 7, 1987 from the New York Yankees for catcher Mark Salas, the knuckleballer went 4-9 with a 6.26 ERA in 19 games and 18 starts in the Twins’ World Championship season. He pitched two innings in relief in the 1987 World Series. Niekro finished his 22-year career by going 1-1 with a 10.03 ERA in five games and two starts with the Twins before being released on May 4, 1988. Niekro’s most famous moment as a Twin came on Aug. 3, 1987 in Anaheim, Calif., when Niekro came under suspicion from the umpires and, as he emptied out his pockets, an emery board and a piece of sandpaper flew out of his pocket. That earned Niekro a 10-game suspension. Jesse Orosco LHP, joined Twins in age 46 season: Originally traded to the New York Mets by the Twins in 1979 as part of the Jerry Koosman deal, the Twins re-acquired Orosco from the Yankees for a player to be named on Aug. 31, 2003. Orosco went 1-1 with a 5.79ERA in eight games for the Twins during a season in which he also pitched for San Diego. Minnesota was the last stop for Orosco in his 24-year career. Ramon Ortiz, RHP, joined Twins in age 34 season: Signed as a free agent in January 2007, Ortiz went 4-4 with a 5.14 ERA in 28 games and 10 starts before being traded to the Colorado Rockies for infielder Matt Macri in August 2007. Ortiz did not pitch in 2008 or 2009 but returned in 2010 with the Dodgers. He pitched for the Cubs in 2011 and Blue Jays in 2013 before calling it quits at age 40 after 12 big-league seasons. Sidney Ponson, RHP, joined Twins in age 30 season: Signed as a free agent in January 2007 and went 2-5 with a 6.93 ERA in seven starts before being released in May. He split 2008 between the Rangers and Yankees before concluding his big-league career in 2009 with the Royals at age 32.

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Shane Rawley, LHP, joined Twins in age 33 season: Acquired on Oct. 24, 1988 from the Phillies, with cash, for outfielder Eric Bullock, second baseman Tom Herr and catcher Tom Nieto. Rawley went 5-12 with a 5.21 ERA in 27 games and 25 starts for the Twins in 1989. That was the last season of his 12-year career that began in 1978 with Seattle. When will Bartolo Colon make his Twins debut?

Derek Wetmore | 1500 ESPN | July 8, 2017

MINNEAPOLIS — Bartolo Colon signed agreed to a minor league contract with the Twins on Friday, and it garnered a metric ton of attention among baseball fans online. Baseball fans generally, because the guy they call Big Sexy is getting another shot in the big leagues; but Twins fans specifically because the show is coming to their team. So, when will Colon put on a Twins uniform? The best we can do right now is make an educated guess. Twins manager Paul Molitor was asked Saturday if he has his starting rotation figured out for after the All-Star break. Here are the four names he provided. Friday @ Houston: J.O. Berrios Saturday @Houston: Ervin Santana Sunday @ Houston: Kyle Gibson Monday home vs. Yankees: Adalberto Mejia Tuesday home vs. Yankees: ??? Ervin Santana will likely pitch in Tuesday’s All-Star Game, and the Twins’ first game after the break is Friday. (As of Saturday morning, a source said that Santana still doesn’t know if he’s starting the all-star game, but it seems more likely that Chris Sale of the Red Sox would be the first American League pitcher in the game.) The good news for anybody that can’t wait to see Colon make his Twins debut is that he could be lined up to be that 5th starter. Triple-A Rochester begins post-break play on Thursday, and indications are that Colon could be the guy to make that start for the Red Wings. Skip ahead the customary four days to rest, and Colon would be in line to pitch Tuesday, July 18. That happens to be the first day the Twins haven’t announced a starter. It’s a home game against the Yankees. It could be the start of the Twins’ chapter of The Bartolo Colon era. But before we get too far ahead of ourselves. Here are some other factors to consider: –Phil Hughes started the year as a starting pitcher, but pain and performance have bumped him to the bullpen. Based on his usage so far, it doesn’t seem to me like the Twins are fighting to get him stretched out to become a starter again this year. It’s always possible, so it’s something to consider, but if we’re putting percentages on it, I think it’s much more like that Colon makes that Tuesday start than Hughes. –Hector Santiago is on the DL with upper back pain. He won’t throw before the all-star break, a Twins spokesman said. His last start was July 2. It’s possible he could come off the DL for that Tuesday start. Given how he pitched before he hit the DL, it’s also possible the Twins will want to see him go out on a rehab stint before he could return to the rotation. And it’s no sure thing that he’ll be ready to by then, anyway. So again, if we’re putting percentages on it, I think a Colon start seems more likely than one from Santiago. –Dillon Gee remains in the organization. He posted a 3.88 ERA in Triple-A for the Rangers this year, and put up a 4.15 ERA in 13 innings for Texas before he was cut loose and signed with the Twins. It’s possible he could be the guy to make that first start for the Red Wings after the break, which would have him in line for a Tuesday start with the Twins. I’m not ready to call it yet. The Twins haven’t announced it. But the evidence does seem to point to the possibility of Colon making his Twins debut on Tuesday at Target Field against the Yankees.

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Twins fall to Schoop, Orioles 5-1

Associated Press | July 8, 2017

MINNEAPOLIS — The Baltimore Orioles have tumbled through the last two months, with their starting pitchers the biggest part of the problem. Wade Miley was the solution on Saturday. Jonathan Schoop and Mark Trumbo each homered in support of Miley’s best performance in more than five weeks, and the Orioles beat the Minnesota Twins 5-1 to stop a five-game losing streak. “If we’re looking in the standings right now, we’re wrong. We just go play day by day and play the game the right way,” Miley said. “That was a pretty clean baseball game. It’s one of the first ones in a while.” Manny Machado added an RBI double to help the Orioles beat the Twins for the first time in six meetings this season. This was just their third win in 11 games, and they’re 19-36 since May 10 to fall from first place in the American League East to being tied for last. Miley (4-7) had his own struggles to deal with. He failed to finish three innings in three of his last six starts, an awful stretch that saw his ERA balloon from 2.82 to 5.20. Against the Twins, he gave up eight hits and three walks, but only one run before leaving with two outs in the sixth. “It’s a good way to end it,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. “That’s why these guys are what they are. They don’t run away from their struggles. They want to get back and make the contributions that they’re asked to make.” After Miguel Sano’s 21st home run, Schoop trumped his All-Star teammate with a towering two-run shot in the fourth inning off Adalberto Mejia (4-4). The ball landed in the third deck above left field, estimated by Major League Baseball’s Statcast system at 462 feet. “Everything worked today,” Schoop said. “We’re looking for it to work tomorrow.” Mejia was removed with two outs in the seventh, after allowing five hits, three walks and four runs. He had won each of his previous three starts, but the Twins stranded 10 runners on base over the first six innings and didn’t come close to the stirring comeback they produced on Friday from a 6-0 deficit for a 9-6 victory. SLUGGING SANO Sano stretched his hitting streak to a season-long and career-high-tying 10 straight games. He’s batting .342 with three homers and nine RBIs on the run. His before-the-break total is the most by a Twins player since Justin Morneau had 21 homers in 2009. “I need to hit more than that,” Sano said, “and next year hit more than that.” COLON COMING? After signing 44-year-old right-hander Bartolo Colon to a minor-league contract for at least one turn with Triple-A Rochester, the Twins could bring him up to start as soon as July 18 against the New York Yankees. Jose Berrios, Ervin Santana, Kyle Gibson and Mejia have been ordered for after the All-Star break, but there’s a fifth spot in the rotation that’ll need to be filled. GOOD START Twins outfielder Zack Granite, who was recalled from Triple-A Rochester, arrived in Minnesota after midnight but still beat manager Paul Molitor to work on his first day of major league duty. Granite debuted in the eighth inning with an 11-pitch at-bat that ended with a pop up and a rousing ovation from the crowd of 26,323. “That’s definitely the loudest I’ve ever heard a stadium for an out,” Granite said, “so that was kind of cool.” SCHOOP AT SHORT The Orioles designated SS Paul Janish for assignment to make room for RHP Chris Tillman, who returned from paternity leave to join the bullpen for now. With manager Buck Showalter wanting to give Johnny Giavotella some work at 2B, Schoop got his first career start at SS.

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TRAINER’S ROOM Orioles: Miley was tripped by a spinning barrel off the broken bat of Kennys Vargas during an inning-ending groundout in the fifth, sending him to the ground, but he returned for the sixth after walking off gingerly. Twins: Molitor said he’s “fairly confident” that 1B Joe Mauer (strained lower back) will be ready to play as soon as he’s eligible to come off the DL on Friday for the first game after the break. UP NEXT Orioles: RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (3-4, 6.64 ERA) pitches on Sunday. His ERA has never been lower than 5.44 over his last 40 appearances since May 12, 2016. Twins: RHP Kyle Gibson (5-6, 5.82 ERA) takes the mound to wrap up the series. Since being recalled May 22 from Triple-A, he’s 5-2 with a 4.59 ERA in nine starts. Las Vegas’ Brandon Kintzler secures All-Star bid as Twins closer

Ron Kantowski | Las Vegas Review Journal | July 8, 2017

Rick Kintzler was installing a security system at his son Brandon’s Las Vegas home Friday morning when the call came. Brandon Kintzler — Minnesota Twins closer, twice a 40th-round draft pick, once so far removed from his dream of pitching in the big leagues that he joined the independent league Winnipeg Goldeyes to keep it flickering — had been added to the American League All-Star roster. There was a brief bit of chitchat and then, “Hey — I made the All-Star team.” “We were really excited,” Rick Kintzler said, putting it more mildly than a Miami breeze. That is where Brandon now will be heading for Tuesday’s Midsummer Classic instead of a lodge in Gull Lake, Minnesota, where he and wife Melissa — whom he married in Las Vegas at a drive-thru chapel — had planned to spend the All-Star respite. Rick Kintzler said Friday’s phone call was the polar opposite of one he received in 2009 from his baseball-playing son, who graduated from Palo Verde High. Not even the Winnipeg Goldeyes would let him pitch. And those bus rides to the American Heartland to play the Joliet Jackhammers seemed never to end. “I told him to come home, that he was my best worker anyway,” said his straight-shooting father, who owns a mobile oil change business. Brandon Kintzler kept riding the bus, and later landed a small part in the movie “Moneyball,” where he was to portray A’s pitcher Tim Hudson. He was pitching better then, keeping the ball down for another independent club, the St. Paul Saints. Rather than appear in the movie, Kintzler opted to pitch in the American Association All-Star Game. He struck out five of six batters; the next day he signed a minor league contract with the Brewers. About 14 months later, he was pitching for them. At an undersized 5 feet 10 inches and soon-to-be 33 years old, he leads the American League in saves after notching No. 24 against the Orioles on Friday. It now can be assumed the Winnipeg Goldeyes might have underestimated Brandon Kintzler’s ability to get guys out.