Rochester might not provide bullpen help

The Twins could use a righthanded reliever, but their options from the farm system appear to be limited.

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune

Last update: August 10, 2008 - 12:17 AM

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It's safe to assume that if there was a a reliever putting up big numbers at Class AAA Rochester, the Twins would have been forced to call that pitcher up by now.

But it's been a relatively disappointing season for Red Wings relievers.

Righthander Bobby Korecky has been solid as the closer, entering Friday 5-4 with a 3.34 ERA and 19 saves. He was called up to the Twins briefly in May and pitched 10 1/3 innings -- earning a victory over Texas on May 19. The Twins want him to work on his changeup, which he will need in the majors, but it's hard for him to work on the pitch in closing situations.

Righthander Julio DePaula, who had a 6.33 ERA, has the stuff to pitch in the majors, including a fastball that reaches 93-94 miles per hour, but he has had control problems all season at Rochester. "He'll surface again in the big leagues,'' said Jim Rantz, the Twins' director of minor leagues. "If not with us, then with someone.''

Former All-Star closer Danny Graves, 35, is attempting a comeback but was 3-4 with a 5.85 ERA; opponents were hitting .331 against him.

Righthander Casey Daigle was 1-5 with a 3.09 ERA but entered the weekend with 31 walks in 64 innings.

Righthander Tim Lahey throws hard but has had control problems. Mariano Gomez has the most potential of the lefthanded relievers -- but the Twins need a righthander now.

The best relief prospects in the system probably are righthander Robert Delaney, who was 3-3 with a 1.46 ERA between Class A Fort Myers and Class AA New Britain, and righthander Anthony Slama, who was 3-1 with a 0.89 ERA and 23 saves at Fort Myers.

System check

• Loek Van Milm, a 7-1 righthander, has been removed from the Dutch national team at the Olympics because of an elbow injury.

• After batting .186 in 12 games after joining New Britain, third baseman Daniel Valencia hit .319 in July and was batting .318 in August.

• New Britain first baseman-outfielder Erik Lis has a separated his left shoulder.

• Outfielder Ben Revere has returned to action at Class A Beloit after missing about a week with an ankle injury. He entered Friday batting .388 with 24 games left.

• First-round pick Aaron Hicks entered Friday batting .320 with a .422 on base percentage and had a .922 OPS (on base-plus-slugging percentage).

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