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Home | Sports | Twins

Twins planning ahead for Sept. 1

Ted S. Warren, Associated Press

Ron Gardenhire

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune

Last update: August 20, 2008 - 8:15 AM

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While the Twins continue to look into deals to help their playoff push, they also are identifying players to be called up from the minor leagues when rosters can expand Sept. 1.

"There are decisions to be made, since we are going to be on the road [on Sept. 1] you have to talk about them now," said Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, who has gone over potential callups with GM Bill Smith. "We have thrown some names out there and are trying figure it out. We'll have enough to help us."

Class AAA Rochester won't make the playoffs, so Red Wings players will be available as soon as their season ends Sept. 1.

Gardenhire didn't mention any potential callups, but here are a few to consider:

• A player must be on the 40-man roster in order to be called up, so Rochester players such as righthanders Bobby Korecky (6-4, 2.94 ERA, 24 saves) and Philip Humber (8-8, 4.94) and infielder Matt Macri (.256, nine homers, 41 RBI) -- who are already on the 40-man roster -- could be in the mix for a promotion.

• If the Twins wanted to call up someone at Rochester such as lefthander Ricky Barrett (4-5, 3.29) or infielder Luke Hughes (.271, three homers, 14 RBI in 19 games since being promoted from Class AA New Britain), they would have to be added to the 40-man roster first.

• Teams often call up an extra catcher in September, but Jose Morales is the only prospect on the 40-man roster, and he is out for the year because of ankle problems.

The Twins have three open spots on their 40-man roster, so they have the flexibility to add players if they want to.

Injured infielder Matt Tolbert, on a rehab assignment at Class AA New Britain, is expected to return to the Twins once the Rock Cats' season ends.

It will be interesting to see what the Twins do at the end of the month. If they can't deal for relief help, they will have to rely on someone from the minors.

And what about New Britain righthander Robert Delaney, perhaps the Twins' best relief prospect? The Twins will discuss all possibilities for callups, and Delaney has been stellar since being promoted from Class A Fort Myers at midseason, going 2-1 with a 1.24 ERA, five walks and 35 strikeouts in 29 innings.

Two-man bench

Twins shortstop Adam Everett, who was hit in the right hand by a Nick Punto foul ball while sitting in the dugout Monday, was only available in an emergency in Tuesday's 13-2 victory over Oakland. The same went for outfielder Delmon Young, who injured an ankle while bumping into the wall.

So the Twins basically had a two-man bench on Tuesday of Mike Lamb and Mike Redmond.

"Play nine, pitch nine, we'll be fine," Gardenhire said.

Gardenhire is a little frustrated. He has had to put four middle infielders on the disabled list this season -- and Everett is the one who gets hit when Punto's ball sails into the dugout.

But help is near ...

Infielder Alexi Casilla is nearly ready to rejoin the Twins after going 3-for-4 with a run and an RBI for Class A Beloit on Tuesday. That was after he went 1-for-3 with two walks, a run and a stolen base Monday.

Casilla is expected to join the Twins today in time for their 14-game road trip that begins Thursday vs. the Los Angeles Angels.

Don't talk to us

A television reporter informed Gardenhire that Vikings coach Brad Childress wants quarterback Tarvaris Jackson to learn to slide more and joked that he might have to call the Twins for advice.

"We teach head-first [slides] around here," joked Gardenhire, who has watched Punto, Tolbert and Michael Cuddyer injure themselves while diving into bases.

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