Recent content from Phil Miller
'Tension and pressure' mount as Twins lose on walk-off homer
The Twins were shut out for six innings by a pitcher whose last MLB start was eight years ago. Then they lost their fourth in a row when Griffin Jax yielded the game-losing hit.
Twins reliever Stewart builds on impressive 2023 season
Righthanded batters haven't gotten a hit off Brock Stewart this year. They are 0-for-13 against him in 2024 with seven strikeouts.
Orioles smash Twins again; Baldelli says team needs to be better prepared
In the 11-3 loss, starter Chris Paddack was hit even harder than Louie Varland was the night before. Both pitchers have identical ERAs of 8.36 through their first three starts.
Twins demoting strikeout-prone Wallner to St. Paul
Outfielder Matt Wallner was being counted on after a successful rookie season, but has struck out in more than two-thirds of his at-bats so far in 2024.
Varland rocked again in Twins loss, says he's 'letting the team down'
Twins pitcher Louie Varland has yielded almost one earned run per inning in three starts, with the latest bad outing in Monday's 7-4 loss to the Orioles.
Who replaces Correa at short? Twins splitting time with Castro, Farmer.
Kyle Farmer got the start at shortstop Monday after Willi Castro was in the field over the weekend. It's a situation manager Rocco Baldelli spent the winter thinking about.
Bullpen fails, fielding falters as Twins blow lead in Detroit
The Twins took a 3-0 lead into the eighth inning. But weak defensive plays and the Tigers' offense combined to create a four-run rally by Detroit.
Twins get Thielbar back, but send Alcala down to Class AAA St. Paul
After missing all of spring training because of a nagging hamstring strain, Caleb Thielbar rejoined the team but gave up three runs against the Tigers in his first relief appearance Sunday.
Twins slide aside mistakes, injuries to sweep Tigers in doubleheader
Starter Joe Ryan was dominant with a career-high 12 strikeouts in Game 1 but needed extra innings for the win. In Game 2, Simeon Woods Richardson looked like a bona fide big leaguer.
Correa goes on injured list as Twins shake up roster
The Twins made a flurry of moves before Saturday's doubleheader in Detroit, with three players being added to the roster.
Duran nearing sooner-than-expected return from injury for Twins
Twins closer Jhoan Duran traveled with the team to Detroit, a good sign considering manager Rocco Baldelli said they were eyeing a May return when Duran was first injured.
Carlos Correa injured as Twins fall to Tigers
The veteran shortstop left the 8-2 loss because of a oblique strain and could be IL-bound.
Twins-Tigers delayed by rain, will start at 6:45 p.m.
The teams are scheduled to start a four-game series in Comerica Park.
Rainout gives rusty Twins another unwanted day off
Thursday was the 15th day of the 2024 regular season, and the fifth without a game. That's as many off days as the Twins are scheduled to have over the next two months.
Twins-Tigers game postponed by rain. Doubleheader Saturday.
Thursday afternoon's scheduled game has been called off and will be made up as part on Saturday afternoon.
Plenty of baserunners, little production as Twins fall to Guardians 3-1
The Twins managed only two hits and are 0-for-23 with runners in scoring position in the series.
Twins rookie Martin has the best commute on the team
Austin Martin expected to start the year with the Saints, but an injury call-up shortened his travel distance to about 75 feet.
Twins offense fizzles under weight of whiffs in home opener loss
The Twins struck out 15 times and went 0-for-12 with runners in scoring position, botching scoring opportunities through the 4-2 loss to Cleveland.
Trading places: Bremer goes from Twins' TV booth to taking the field
Broadcaster Dick Bremer, who at 68 is now with the team as an ambassador and threw out the ceremonial first pitch at Thursday's home opener, has joined a senior baseball league.
Lineups posted at Target Field for Twins' home opener
Pablo López takes the mound as the Twins face the Cleveland Guardians, who are off to a quick start this season.
Royals smash Twins 11-0 in worst start of Ober's career
Bailey Ober surrendered eight runs in 1⅓ innings, with three home runs included in the nine hits he yielded to 14 Kansas City batters.
Twins' least experienced players get a salary bump
New feature in players' collective bargaining agreement aims to better compensate players who don't have seniority.
Twins put Royce Lewis on injured list, call up Austin Martin
Lewis has a right quad strain that will sideline him at least a month.
Christian Vázquez comes through late on defense, offense in Twins' 5-1 win at Kansas City
Christian Vázquez nabbed Bobby Witt Jr. on an eighth-inning steal attempt and hit a go-ahead single in the ninth inning as the Twins beat the Royals.
Twins righthander DeSclafani has season-ending arm surgery
The veteran will hit free agency in October without ever having pitched for the Twins.
Twins likely pondering options after Royce Lewis injury
The third baseman suffered a quad injury on Opening Day that could sideline him.
Twins manager Baldelli gives Buxton, Jeffers top spots in order to start season
Jeffers was delighted in the confidence shown by his manager before an Opening Day victory.
López dominates as Twins open season with 4-1 win over Royals
Pablo López didn't have the dream Opening Day start he expected — allowing a solo home run three pitches into the season — but things got much better after that.
Lewis exits with right quad injury after hitting HR in Twins' opener
The Twins third baseman opened the season with a flair, but headed for the dugout after trying to score from first base on a double by Carlos Correa.
Lineup set: Byron Buxton in leadoff spot as Twins begin season in KC
The Twins have all righthanded batters except Max Kepler as Pablo López takes the mound for the defending AL Central champions.
Opening Day for Twins is more like Thanksgiving
Starting the season with the big club is a new feeling for some on the team.
Starter or reliever? What Twins pitchers want usually doesn't matter.
Starting pitchers are baseball's most valuable commodity and the desired role for most young pitchers working their way through the minors. Then reality sets in.
Funderburk bouncing back after losing control of pitches
Despite struggles this spring, especially with control, Kody Funderburk will be one of two lefties in the Twins bullpen when the season starts Thursday.
Twins lose fifth in row at spring training, have one game left
The Twins, now 8-19-3 in the exhibition season, play their final game Tuesday and then fly to Kansas City to prepare for Thursday's season opener.
MLB's expanded playoffs not fun for regular-season superpowers
Texas won the World Series last year after struggling to the regular-season finish line. This raises a question: Is loading up for the regular season overrated?
One of Joe Ryan's 'best starts ever' can't keep Twins from Grapefruit League basement
Joe Ryan gave up only two hits in five innings in one of his "best starts ever," but the Twins fell to 8-13-3 on the spring.
Twins temporarily lose another reliever before start of season
Justin Topa, a righthanded setup man acquired from the Mariners during the offseason, is joining Jhoan Duran and Caleb Thielbar on the injured list because of left knee tendinitis.
López satisfied with final tuneup outing before Opening Day
The All-Star righthander put in four innings and further refined his slider before starting against Kansas City next Thursday.
After strong rookie seasons, four young Twins are looking for more
After not being in the Opening Day lineup, these four players were pivotal as the Twins advanced to the American league playoffs.
Who are the Twins' next breakthrough rookies?
Three players starting in St. Paul could have an impact in the major leagues this season. Here's a look at their backgrounds.
Twins top prospect sent to St. Paul to start season
Brooks Lee is a former first-round choice who is likely to play at Target Field sooner than later.
Varland hit hard, Alcala exits with trainer as Tigers smash Twins 12-3
Louie Varland made his first start since winning a spot in the Twins starting rotation. It was one of several things that didn't go well for Minnesota.
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
![Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton (25) was safe at third in the third inning at Target Field Sunday April 11, 2021 in Minneapolis, MN.] Jer](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/OGMLVBCJ6KZHMXBQAPBMTC7TRY.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
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.
