Recent content from Phil Miller
Top Twins prospect Lee has big day — and collects a souvenir
A home run in his first at-bat and a triple in the second was a big deal for infielder Brooks Lee. So was the special touch for the Twins uniforms in their St. Patrick's Day game vs. Toronto.
Lee homers, triples in Twins' spring training loss to Toronto Blue Jays
Brooks Lee, who's expected to start the season with Class AAA St. Paul, continued to impress for the Twins, who lost 9-4 to the Blue Jays in Dunedin, Fla.
Twins' Buxton flashes leather with diving catch in center field
Byron Buxton wasn't trying to take any chances with his health, but his instincts took over as he backed up Pablo López, who gave up four runs to the Rays.
Prospects lead Twins to 6-5 Grapefruit League victory over Rays
Jake Rucker, Misael Urbina, Keoni Cavaco and Brian O'Keefe each singled during a three-run eighth-inning rally
Power-hitting Twins could dabble more in stealing, but don't have to
The Twins are on track for their best base stealing season in over a decade, with their best stealer eager to get back at it.
Twins get glimpse of Santana at leadoff spot
Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said Santana is one of the primary candidates to bat first this year.
Twins lose to Blue Jays 4-1 as training camp batting slump continues
A batting order that could be close to what they'll be using on Opening Day managed only four singles as the Twins extended their winless streak to six.
Twins tie with Cardinals, fall to Tampa Bay in split-squad games
Louie Varland, Matt Wallner impressed in Twins' split-squad doubleheader on Wednesday.
From Johan to Jhoan: Twins great helping Twins closer with curveball
Twins closer Jhoan Duran believes his grip is giving his curveball away, so he went looking for some help and got it from Twins Hall of Famer Johan Santana.
Twins trim down pitching staff as Opening Day nears
The Twins thinned its pitching staff Monday to give both major leaguers and minor leaguers more work.
Despite Paddack's work on the mound, Twins fall to Braves 3-0
Chris Paddack left eight Atlanta runners on base, but it wasn't enough as the Twins fell 3-0.
Twins pitching prospect Festa makes eagerly awaited spring debut
David Festa's minor-league history gives the Twins reasons to be excited, as well as to being him along slowly as he recovers from arm problems.
López takes the loss as Twins fall to Nationals
Opening Day starter Pablo López gave up four runs (three earned) and Jhoan Duran surrendered two more as the Twins were defeated 7-3 by Washington on Sunday in Fort Myers, Fla.
Baldelli offers support while Jeffers away from Twins camp
Ryan Jeffers' wife posted a message on social media that the couple lost their unborn son.
Buxton has home run, two triples in Twins' 10-7 exhibition victory over Yankees
Byron Buxton managed all that in four innings as the Twins managed 19 hits and 10 runs.
Twins' starting pitcher rotation, once a concern, shows promise
Starting pitching depth has been the Twins' biggest worry this spring, but competition for the final starter spot is heating up.
Matt Wallner's swing was off. Here's how he's fixing it.
At the plate, something was off for second-year outfielder Matt Wallner. So, he approached assistant hitting coach Derek Shomon. The video made the problem clear.
Pitch-count awareness matters most to Paddack, despite home run
One of Twins starter Chris Paddack's goals this season is to finish off batters once he gets two strikes on them. It's a work-in-progress that didn't go as well as he would have liked Tuesday.
Twins' Camargo swings for the fence at spring training
Catcher Jair Camargo is proving himself to manager Rocco Baldelli and the coaches at spring training.
Camargo, Julien hit homers as Twins rout Red Sox, 7-1
Joe Ryan was effective and the Twins offense came alive as they won their second game in a row against the Red Sox this spring.
Kirilloff's spot at first base uncertain after Twins sign Santana
Alex Kirilloff homered on the first pitch against the Cardinals to make his case for the batting lineup and said he'll be working in the outfield soon.
Twins' spring road losses continue but Kirilloff, Castro provide pop
The Cardinals tallied four runs in the third inning, as slugger Paul Goldschmidt tagged Twins pitcher Chris Paddack.
Santana's first Twins homer among big hits Monday
Ryan Jeffers and Willi Castro also hit homers as the Twins won swept split-squad games Monday.
Why López isn't worried about getting his pitch hit 'like 600 feet'
The Twins All-Star faced Matt Olson, MLB's home run leader last season. It ended with a moonshot, not that López is sweating it.
Twins restricting Jose Miranda to first base in field for now
The infielder is recovering from surgery to his right shoulder, and the Twins want to work him at first instead of third for the rest of spring camp.
Not a Twins roster lock? Buckle up for 2,600 miles on the bus
Grapefruit League play has the Twins' chartered buses crisscrossing Florida all spring, with less-established players doing most of the travel.
Twins' Dobnak continues to work hard, and be paid well for it
The righthander has not pitched much in the major leagues since receiving a $9.25 million contract, but he has embraced his role in St. Paul.
Ober dominates, earns high praise from Harper, as Twins lose to Phillies
Bryce Harper went on the Philadelphia broadcast to praise Twins starter Bailey Ober after he struck out seven Phillies in three innings of work.
Twins' Ryan was going to give Santana No. 41, until MLB charged $225,000
Changing numbers has long been a common practice among MLB players, especially when veterans join a new organization — but now, there's a hefty cost attached.
The Twins picked off the game's best base stealer. Then the fun began.
A simple rundown play involving Ronald Acuña Jr. became a far greater challenge against Atlanta on Thursday. "That guy is unbelievably fast," catcher Ryan Jeffers said.
Canterino quiets his own doubts in stellar return to the mound
Former second-round pick Matt Canterino pitched two strong innings for the Twins against Atlanta on Thursday, after missing 19 months following Tommy John surgery.
Trade gives Margot a seemingly perfect fit in Twins lineup
Former Rays and Padres outfielder Manuel Margot brings a little bit of everything to the clubhouse — the ability to play every outfield position, a solid reputation at the plate and some history with new teammates.
Buxton returns to center field and Margot's already flying for Twins
Byron Buxton didn't make any diving catches; he just got his legs underneath him in his first game in center field since August 2022, but there were still smiles all around.
Buxton, Correa return; Twins minor leaguers rally for tie vs. Phillies
Byron Buxton returned to center field, Carlos Correa debuted and the Twins had nine pitchers make an appearance before their minor leaguers staged a dramatic rally.
Buxton's back in center field today after 554 days away
Just being able to do drills after a season of being limited to DH duty has been a joy to Byron Buxton, who's looking forward to something you wouldn't expect.
Twins' Goodrum has the ring, but glasses changed his game
It's been a rough few years for the utility man, but now he's back with the team that drafted him and eyeing a resurgence.
Shuffield's home run sends Twins to 5-3 spring training victory over Pirates
Class AA outfielder Dalton Shuffield slugged an opposite-field, three-run home run into the right-field seats to break a 2-2 sixth-inning tie.
How a former Twins reliever and nomadic pro became boss of the Red Sox
Craig Breslow pitched for the Twins in 2008, 2009 and 2017. He's found even more success as a baseball executive — and nearly landed in Minnesota's front office.
Out of the way! Twins infielders learn new rules to improve safety.
Last year Kyle Farmer was happy to get in the way of a baserunner so he could apply a tag, but that won't slide under new rules meant to improve safety this season.
Despite cruel twists of career, Twins relief hopeful still optimitic
Daniel Duarte, 27, played for 11 minor league teams over nine years before landing with the Reds in 2022. Last season he was pitching great, then he felt another twinge in his arm. The Twins still see his potential.
'Old' Kepler takes stock of his status as Twins' elder statesman
Max Kepler is still young, even for a ballplayer, but he's now the longest-tenured player on the Twins roster. In the final year of his contract, he's starting to believe in his talent after a blistering second half.
Can Stewart stay healthy — and as effective as he was last year?
Righthander Brock Stewart, who dominated out of the bullpen for the Twins last season when he wasn't sidelined by a forearm injury, ramped up his offseason schedule.
How the Twins used analytics to get free agent Brigham to the bullpen
As a free agent this offseason, reliever Jeff Brigham reached out to his former roommate, Pablo López, for intel on the Twins. Then the front office showed him a blueprint to improve his career.
Twins forced to hold first full-squad workout indoors
A rainy day in Florida didn't keep the Twins from getting their work in.
Buxton grateful for 2023 as a learning experience
Although delighted to return to center field, Buxton is determined to find the positives in last year's rough season.
Manfred pushes streaming broadcast option for all teams, including Twins
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred isn't giving up on traditional cable TV packages, but wants baseball fans — especially those who have cut the cable cord — to be able to watch any game at a reasonable price.
Twins' Jeffers eager to pick up where he left off after a breakout 2023
After the best season of his young career, Ryan Jeffers joins fellow catchers and pitchers in reporting to spring training as a fresh season gets under way.
'Freak of nature.' Jeffers makes bold prediction about top Twins draft pick
Walker Jenkins was the fifth overall pick in the 2023 MLB draft and has been working out with Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers, who sees a star in the making.
'It's not perfect.' Twins know TV contract isn't what fans wanted
Unable to put together a streaming service deal that makes financial sense and gives fans better access to games, the club is back with Bally Sports North for one more year.
It's official: Twins will stay on Bally Sports North for 2024
A federal bankruptcy judge in Houston approved Diamond's bid to stay in business, though no mention was made of how much BSN will pay the Twins.
As franchise values rise, would the Pohlads sell the Twins?
Carl Pohlad's children and grandchildren have many business endeavors outside of baseball. The family has an answer for those who wonder about the depth of its interest in baseball.
Carlos Santana has bedeviled the Twins; now they are set to sign the veteran slugger
An All-Star in Cleveland, the first baseman had 23 home runs and 86 RBI last season playing for the Pirates and the Brewers.
Twins get reliever from Cincinnati off waivers
Righthander Daniel Duarte pitched in 31 games for Cincinnati last season and also spent part of the season in Class AAA.
Twins games will be televised by Bally Sports North again in 2024
A direct-to-consumer streaming option, which the Twins said they were determined to create this year, will apparently have to wait while MLB develops a leaguewide strategy.
Buxton ready to play center field again: 'Simple as that'
Byron Buxton is excited to get back into position for the Twins this season and says he's back to hitting with power.
Hundreds of Twins fans congratulate Mauer on Hall of Fame selection
The St. Paul-born catcher attended TwinsFest days after getting word he's headed to Cooperstown this summer.
López on Twins leadership: 'Willing to help, but willing to accept help'
After a strong 2023 season, the veteran pitcher already has been named the Opening Day starter by Twins manager Rocco Baldelli.
Mauer tours Hall of Fame and says, 'It's starting to sink in'
During a visit to Cooperstown with the other newly elected members, Joe Mauer said he's been hearing from familiar old friends -- and famous new acquaintances.
First Class: Minnesota's Mauer elected to Baseball Hall of Fame
Joe Mauer, the Minnesota Twins legend from St. Paul, joins an exclusive club as the third catcher elected on the first ballot to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Twins in the Hall of Fame: Can you name them all?
Kirby and Killer. The fabulous four from St. Paul. With Joe Mauer being elected, the list of former Twins in the Hall of Fame now stands at 13. Here they are:
Mauer's likely 'beautiful moment': the call from the Hall
Early reports suggest Joe Mauer will join fellow St. Paul legend Paul Molitor in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Mauer would join exclusive club by making Hall of Fame on first try
Only two catchers have ever been elected by Baseball Writers' Association of America members to the Hall of Fame on the first ballot.
Twins TV picture still blurry after 'surprise' deal involving Amazon
Amazon and Diamond Sports came to an agreement that took baseball by surprise. It's another curveball for the Twins and their fans, who want to know more about the future of team broadcasts.
The votes are in ... will Joe Mauer make the Baseball Hall of Fame?
The former Twins catcher and first baseman was tracking well among ballots made public in his first year of candidacy.
Twins sign veteran reliever to one-year deal
Former Royals righthander Josh Staumont was sidelined after surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome last season.
Bally Sports North is still in the picture for Twins' television rights
A Jan. 10 bankruptcy trial in Houston could play a role in who televises the Twins' games in 2024.
Veteran utilityman Niko Goodrum returns to Twins on minor-league deal
Goodrum was drafted by the Twins in 2010 and made his major league debut for them in 2017.
Ober leads six young Twins players getting big bonuses from MLB
The bonuses come from a $50 million pre-arbitration pool distributed to players who win, or receive votes for, the Rookie of the Year, MVP, Cy Young and All-MLB Team awards.
Provus: Changes coming to Twins broadcasts factor in taking TV job
Cory Provus said the Twins approached him in mid-October about moving from radio to TV to replace Dick Bremer. But how the games will be available on TV and the web still hasn't been settled.
Bally Sports North will televise Wolves; Twins' TV future unclear
A federal bankruptcy judge's ruling keeps Wolves games on TV this season, and likely those of the Wild. But the Twins could face a financial hit.
Remember them? Tracking 107 ex-Twins who played elsewhere in 2023.
Luis Arraez won a batting title in Miami, Mitch Garver, Robbie Grossman and Martín Pérez won World Series rings with Texas, and that's just the top of the iceberg.
Twins 2023 honors: Gray, Correa win two awards each
Sonny Gray was named the Twins' MVP as well as the team's best pitcher. Carlos Correa and four other players were honored in voting by the Twin Cities chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America.
Who stays? Who leaves? Player-by-player look at the 2024 Twins roster
Star Tribune baseball writer Phil Miller goes through the Twins roster with an eye to who'll be back and who's likely to end up elsewhere.
Baldelli defends unconventional 'bullpen game' in Twins' playoff loss
The only Twins lefthander to pitch, Caleb Thielbar, was the victim of a two-run homer by José Abreu. Starter Joe Ryan lasted just 26 pitches.
Buxton back on roster for Game 4, doesn't come through as pinch-hitter
An injury to Alex Kirilloff gave the Twins a chance to activate Byron Buxton for the playoff roster. His at-bat came in the eighth inning, with the Twins trailing by a run.